FROM PAGE 1 died, undergoing 90 minutes of CPR at Luther (now MayoClinic) hospital. A benefit was held at the Boyd Legion Hall, with up to 1,000 people reportedly showing up.

“I look forward to continue to be there for the people that were there for me,” he was quoted as saying at the time. “I’ll always try to have their backs.” Setzer would go on for seven more years as village president, looking out for the best interests of Boyd residents.

Also at the April 12 meeting for his last session (as a trustee) was Tom McQuillan, who received a memorial plaque along with Setzer from Bob Geist, after Geist ducked into the Boyd History Room at the end of the meeting for the mementos. McQuillan’s replacement on the village board will be his daughter-in-law Sarah McQuillan, married to Tom’s son Ryan and on hand to take notes, though she will officially take her trustee seat at next month’s meeting.

As to Setzer’s path to the village presidency, there were a few twists and turns involved. Raised on a dairy farm in Edson “at the corner of county roads G and V,” Setzer said he attended St. Joe’s Catholic Elementary in Boyd through the 8th grade. He and his wife Crystal moved to Boyd in 1993 after the birth of their daughter Karissa.

“We wanted that same small-town upbringing for her so we moved back here,” he said. Karissa would go on to become Miss Boyd. As to Setzer himself, there were some twists and turns before he found his way.

“I found it was easy to get in trouble through High School and my early 20s,” he shared of life before the turnaround came. “It came to a point when one day I just told myself it’s time to grow up and start doing something positive for the community,” he shared, “so I joined the Chamber of Commerce and the Boyd-Edson-Delmar Fire Department.” Being looked at as a help rather than a hindrance to the community was “gratifying,” he said.

“It was then on to the Ambulance Service in 2000,” Setzer went on, quickly coming to village trustee matters. “In 2002 Bill Machler wanted to retire from the Village Board and asked me to take his place,” the outgoing village president said of his initiation into Boyd local government. “In 2009 the community decided to write me-in as President.” From then until now Setzer has served in the post. So has it been good?

“Nothing much to brag about,” he said of highlights as village president. “Our sewer rates had just increased to disastrous amounts in ’07. We figured out some ways to move our money as to not cause any more financial grief on our residents,” he said. “We knew we needed to button down spending and ride out the storm.” And the rewards as such?

“We are now in a position where the cost of living in Boyd is more viable than most of our neighbors,” Setzer said. “Nobody beats our rates on garbage pickup, especially for senior citizens. One thing I do take some pride in is gaining the trust of people and making the meetings respectful and enjoyable. The Village of Boyd should be very proud of its employees/ board and is still a great, safe place to raise a family,” Setzer shared. So what about potential challenges in the village Presidency?

“You have to know who you are,” Setzer said. “You have to take care of your businesses and look out for your residents. Boyd is a small town with small pockets.” With state highway aid around 40 percent of what it was back in 2002, the cost of street construction and maintenance also continues to skyrocket, resulting in the need to look for solutions.

“We have looked numerous times into grants, but people need to understand that you generally only get granted a 50 percent match for the project,” Setzer shared. In addition, he said that, “engineers cost a ton. You have to do the best with what you have. Someday the check is going to come due.” On that note, the outgoing Boyd Village President also had thoughts to share on his health troubles from 2012, and the community response.

“After I was hospitalized in 2012, the community support was very overwhelming,” he said. “They even put together a benefit to help us through until I could get back on my feet. Though it felt somewhat embarrassing to accept help, it was needed and appreciated. A debt I can never repay. People wanted me to get back up on the horse and I did. Before 2012 I used to stress out much more over problems. One thing about fighting your way back from something life-altering is you tend to look at the bigger picture and appreciate the smaller things,” he said. As to a final note on the perspective he’s gained, Setzer said to, “ Be kind. It’s very disheartening to look around today at all this anger over issues/opinions that are so insignificant in God’s eyes, because his perspective is what actually matters.” So now that he’s no longer on the board, does Setzer have any final words to those who will serve on or inherit the village government moving forward?

“We are blessed with great people and good intentions,” he said. “Hold down the fort. True power is not needing to use it. Keep your meetings positive and fun.”

Come May, newly-elected Village President Bob Geist will fill the chair.

Boyd Village President Randy Setzer presides over his final board meeting as Village President April 12. Staff Photo.