DOVER, N.H. (AP) – State Safety Commissioner Richard Flynn let others do the talking when he was fighting to keep his job of 35 years.

But he granted a rare interview to Foster’s Sunday Citizen, saying he doesn’t know what he will do after his successor, former state police chief John Barthelmes, is sworn in Friday.

“What do I do with the rest of my life?” the 78-year-old Flynn said. “I’ve always enjoyed working. I’m not a golfer. I’m not a fisherman.”

Flynn was appointed safety commissioner in 1972 by Gov. Walter Peterson and reappointed to successive four-year terms by seven governors, both Republican and Democratic.

However, for the first time in decades, Democrats won a majority of Executive Council seats last November. Then in January, Democratic Gov. John Lynch thanked Flynn for his years of service, but said he would not reappoint him when his term expired March 31.

Even before Lynch’s announcement, the governor and councilors were hearing from Flynn’s many supporters, including police, firefighters and others who worked with him over the decades. However, the Executive Council voted along party lines March 21 to confirm Barthelmes, 53.

Flynn served in the Navy, then worked at the General Electric plant in Somersworth before joining the Dover Police in 1949. He was named city police chief in 1959 and served in that position for 23 years before being named state safety commissioner.

“I was reluctant to leave Dover because Dover was very kind to me,” Flynn said.

When Flynn began at the Department of Safety, he oversaw only the Division of Motor Vehicles and state police. Now the department has absorbed the state Fire Marshal’s office, the Marine Patrol, Emergency Management and Emergency Communications, EMT training and other functions and has an annual budget of $130 million.

“When we’re working and doing a good job, other agencies felt they wanted to attach,” said Flynn, who oversaw 1,100 workers and a budget of $130 million.

At first, he opened motor vehicle registration offices and state police barracks around the state. His reputation as an administrator grew, and he was approached by others for help.

Flynn recollected that several fire chiefs asked him to take over responsibility for the Fire Marshal’s office and secure funding for a firefighter training academy, which he did. He also oversaw the growth of the state police crime laboratory and the establishment of the Marine Patrol.

“Now we have one of the finest state labs in the country,” he said.

Flynn said he was successful because he communicated well and had an open-door policy.

“Too many people go into an office and close the door and they don’t talk to their people,” he said.

The most difficult times on the job came after police officers were killed in the line of duty, or talking to family members of fire victims, he said.

“I hate to see fires and lives lost, and you’re talking to the families and they say, ‘Why did this happen?’ and it is always difficult,” Flynn said.

Some of Flynn supporters have said they hope he runs for political office – perhaps the Executive Council – but he’s not sure.

“I’m not leaning in that direction,” he said. “I want to be active. I’m not ready for a rocking chair.”

For now, his biggest challenge is saying goodbye to the department’s longtime employees, he said.

“Change is very difficult,” he said. “It’s as difficult for them as it is for me.”

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