This Super Bowl office wager goes from Stanislaus County to KC
The top elected officials of major cities are usually the ones who make these Super Bowl wagers.
But for the big game on Sunday, the assessors for Stanislaus County and Lafayette County in Missouri thought a friendly wager might break up the tedium in their offices.
The deal was articulated in a press release, dated Jan. 21, that was issued electronically by Lafayette County Assessor Chip Langman. Stanislaus Assessor Don Gaekle agreed.
“When the Kansas City Chiefs win, Gaekle will wear a Chief’s shirt to work the following day. Should the Chiefs capitulate or not show up on game day — and the San Francisco 49ers are miraculously declared the winners, Langman will wear a 49ers shirt.”
Gaekle said he has never done anything like this before and wasn’t aware of any other Super Bowl wager between county assessors. “He wanted to have some fun with it, so I said, OK, I will go along with that,” Gaekle said. “I hope that Chip Langman has his 49er jersey ready.”
Langman was being flippant in saying assessor is the most boring job on earth. And Gaekle must not agree with that assessment. He has worked in Stanislaus County’s assessor’s office since 1986, starting as an appraiser.
Stanislaus County, with 559,000 residents, is much larger than Lafayette County, with a population of 30,000. Langman’s office in the county courthouse is 45 minutes from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
“The entire area is lit up,” Langman said. “Everyone is wearing Chiefs gear all week. Even local grocery stores are closing early so employees can watch the game.”
It’s no secret to Stanislaus County folks who follow local government how the two assessors found each other. Langman grew up in Modesto and his late father, Don Langman, had a radio show and was a local political animal.
Langman said his wife, who loves the Midwest, wanted a change in scenery and they moved to Missouri in 2013.
The rural county is perfect for a history buff like Langman. The courthouse in the county seat of Lexington was built in 1847 and is the oldest functioning courthouse west of the Mississippi. A cannon ball fired in a Civil War battle is lodged in a column of the courthouse.
Langman was first appointed to run the assessor’s office after the incumbent retired early. He ran unopposed for election in 2016.
Langman said he wasn’t much of a football fan before moving to Kansas City Chiefs territory, so he does not mind rooting against the Niners on Sunday. The Chiefs are such a big draw “it is hard to not get caught up in the enthusiasm,” Langman said.
Gaekle revealed he is a Denver Broncos fan, but many of the 58 employees in his office are 49er loyalists.
This story was originally published January 29, 2020 at 3:17 PM.
