WWU Coach Retires After 37 Years in Food Safety

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  Tom Kunesh, head of Whatcom County's food safety program, is retiring in September“Kunesh is retiring in September after 37 years with the county.”
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  Tom Kunesh has been with the county health department for 37 years“Tom Kunesh had never worked in a restaurant when he began performing food safety inspections for Whatcom County in 1989.  Nearly four decades and thousands of inspections later, he’s learned so much that he can even offer advice to food business owners. He’s done so by staying curious, caring about people and keeping his focus on education rather than punishment.  Ultimately, his team can impose penalties if compliance becomes an issue. “But if things get to that point, then we’ve kind of both failed,” he said. He added: “Wherever we end up, we go there together.”  Kunesh is retiring this month. Apart from running the county’s food safety program, he’s also responded to rabies calls, disease outbreaks, solid waste complaints and more during his tenure.”
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  Tom Kunesh began inspecting restaurants in 1989“Tom Kunesh had never worked in a restaurant when he began performing food safety inspections for Whatcom County in 1989.”
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  Tom Kunesh emphasized education over punishment during his tenure“He’s done so by staying curious, caring about people and keeping his focus on education rather than punishment.”
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  Tom Kunesh stated, 'Wherever we end up, we go there together.'“"Wherever we end up, we go there together." ”
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  Colleagues note Tom Kunesh's warm relationships with businesses“Colleagues say he’s been a mentor whose warm relationships with area businesses bolster the county health department’s reputation.”
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  Tom Kunesh's warm relationships with businesses helped bolster the health department's reputation“Colleagues say he’s been a mentor whose warm relationships with area businesses bolster the county health department’s reputation.”
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  Tom Kunesh's retirement marks the end of a career that included responding to rabies calls“Kunesh is retiring this month. Apart from running the county’s food safety program, he’s also responded to rabies calls, disease outbreaks, solid waste complaints and more during his tenure.”
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  Tom Kunesh's career included responding to disease outbreaks“Apart from running the county’s food safety program, he’s also responded to rabies calls, disease outbreaks, solid waste complaints and more during his tenure.”
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  Tom Kunesh's career included handling solid waste complaintsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Tom Kunesh's career included food safety inspections“Tom Kunesh had never worked in a restaurant when he began performing food safety inspections for Whatcom County in 1989.”