South Sioux City Administrator Lance Hedquist is finally going to get some well-deserved help.

Last week, the City Council approved Joseph J. Johnson, presently the administrator in David City, Neb., to be the new - and first ever - assistant administrator for South Sioux City. A native of the city and a 1997 graduate of South Sioux City High School, Johnson likely will be groomed as eventual successor to the 59-year-old Hedquist. Under the tutelage of the veteran Hedquist, a veritable fountain of knowledge and experience, Johnson will learn much.

During his nearly 30 years as administrator, Hedquist has played no small role in the success and growth enjoyed by his community. Of course, with that success and growth (and the potential for more in the future) have come greater responsibilities for and time demands on him. So Johnson will be called upon to ease some of the load.

First, Hedquist has to get comfortable with the idea of sharing.

In all seriousness, the workaholic Hedquist quite simply is one of the most dedicated, conscientious, hardest-working public servants we know. Stories of his commitment to the business of the city are legion. In fact, the council a few years actually held a modestly-contentious discussion with the man over the need for him to take a vacation.

Knowing Hedquist, it won't be easy for him to cede a little of the workload of the administrator's office, but we offer him this little bit of friendly advice: Try.