Countywide : Nothing Taxing in Collecting Praise

After 32 years of service, Raymond L. Wells retires today from the county treasurer-tax collector’s office knowing he will be hard to replace.

Wells knows the complex tax collection system so well that his bosses found it necessary to fill his post with two full-time employees.

Wells, 64, will leave his position as assistant treasurer-tax collector amid accolades from fellow workers who describe him as hard-working, meticulous and helpful.

“That man is so detail-oriented, it’s going to take two guys to fill his shoes,” said Penny Harris, Wells’ secretary. “He never leaves early and spends at least 50 hours a week on the job.”

Treasurer-Tax Collector Robert L. Citron lavished praise on Wells. “Any successes that I’ve had have been greatly due to Mr. Wells’ experience and efforts,” he said.

As part of his duties, Wells collected property taxes for all Orange County school districts and special districts. He also collected transient occupancy taxes from hotels and motels in unincorporated areas, kept track of investments by the county and cities and routinely dealt with bankers, brokers and the public.

Wells was hired as the assistant tax collector in 1961 and was promoted to his current position in 1977.

As a tax collector, Wells views paying taxes differently from most people.

“It seems like a lot of people feel their tax dollars are totally wasted,” said Wells, who began paying taxes when he was 14, working as a newspaper deliverer. “I think this is a great country to live in, and we have to pay our taxes to maintain everything we value here. I see the necessity for police protection, courts, social welfare and all other governmental services.”

Deputy Chief of Tax Collection Gary Cowan and Deputy Chief of Treasury Matthew Raabe will take over Wells’ job Friday.

“Ray’s done a good job, but it’s more than a one-person job,” Cowan said. “I’ll have a hard time following his fine example.”

Added Raabe: “The man knew just about everything there is to know about the office. It’s going to be very difficult to take his place.”

Wells, who lives in Villa Park with his wife, plans to travel around the world.

He said he’ll miss the people with whom he has worked.

“It’s been a rewarding job through the years, but it’s like graduation,” he said. “You go to school and then you move on to other things. (Today) is my last day here, but Friday is the start of the rest of my life.”