Richard Bows Out After 33 Years’ Service

By Jane Omara

After more than 30 years in local government, during which time he played a part in some of the biggest events in recent Cornish history, Richard Zorichak has decided it is time to leave public health work behind.

Mr Zorichak, North Cornwall District Council’s environmental health officer, spent 33 years working for the council and retired on March 20.

He was heavily involved in the Camelford water incident, and gave evidence during the in-depth investigation that followed.

The incident happened in 1988 after a relief driver accidentally tipped 20 tonnes of aluminum sulphate into the wrong tank at the Lowermoor Water Treatment Works.

The chemicals contaminated the water in 20,000 homes, making it Britain’s worst mass water poisoning.

Mr Zorichak, 59, also coordinated public health during the Boscastle floods after sewers burst, ensuring water-borne diseases such as cholera did not make a return to the county. In August 2004, the whole average rainfall for a month fell in just two hours causing two rivers to burst their banks and flood the village.

Mr Zorichak’s expertise has been called on numerous times and he has given presentations locally and nationally.

He said two major highlights of his time with the council were the establishment of the Flashpoint Interactive Safety Centre in Bodmin, and taking part in the Royal Cornwall Show.

“The stands at the Royal Cornwall Show have been a successful way of communicating with the public about what we do,” said Mr Zorichak.

District council chairman Coun Graham Facks-Martin said: “Richard truly is one of the old guard of local government officers. He is professional, honest and has always carried out his duties to an incredibly high standard.

“In times of difficulty and when contentious decisions need to be taken, Richard has always been there to advise councillors to come to a practical and informed decision.”

Mark Luxton, who works in the council’s environmental health department, has been promoted to take over the role.

Mr Zorichak said: “The best bit has been seeing the development of the highly competent, excellently-performing service, only made possible by the combined efforts of all the staff.”

Mr Zorichak, who grew up in Plymouth before moving to Bude, has been a keen sailor since childhood and plans to devote his retirement to his passion.

“I learned to sail when I was a school kid in Plymouth and have been doing it ever since,” he said.

(c) 2008 Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.