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Mayor Bell, City Clerk Edwards honored at retirement dinner Mayor Mark D. Harris hosts event at Trinity UMC. Speakers include the honorees, Robert Bell, Chief Jason Cross, City Clerk Sonya Roy, Senior Councillor and Mayor Pro Tem Craig Dean, Former Mayor Curtis Hardwick, Councillors June Parson and Tony Grider, and City Police Officer Josh Brockman. By Ed Waggener A gathering hosted by Mayor Mark D. Harris at Trinity United Methodist Church's Davenport Center, Tuesday, January 4, 2011, paid tribute to Mayor Pat Bell and City Clerk Carolyn Edwards, both of whom retired from city government service on December 31, 2010.Among the 59 assembled were city workers, elected officials, families of Mayor Bell and the City Clerk, and invited guests. Mayor Harris, in opening the event, said, "You don't replace a man like Pat Bell," acknowledging the accomplishments of the man he succeeds. And, acknowledged the contributions the other honoree, Carolyn Edwards had made, giving her credit for getting so many grants for the city during her six years in office. "I know she helped me,while I was Chief of Police, to obtain grants which otherwise we might not have gotten."Both Mayor Bell and Clerk Edwards were given plaques and gifts in appreciation of their years of service to the city. Mayor Bell spoke briefly. "The Happiest thing about my job," he said, "are the people in this room. They are an absolutely wonderful group."I appreciate the peole of this town," he said. "I'm From Off," he said, "but that never made any difference in the way I was treated. He singled out department heads, especially Clerk Edwards, for praise, and, pointing to a special table with Marshall and Joan Loy, Tommy and Marsha Grider, and R.L. Walker, all of whom have played or are playing major roles in the development at Holiday Place, he said, "I want to thank the people at that table who have made this town grow."Carolyn Edwards spoke of her 27 years in city government, the last six of which were as city clerk. She thank her mentor, Jane Akin Keltner, who was in the audience. She said she had never forgotten Jane Akin's motto, "Nobody's perfect, but everyone should strive for perfection." She said that was always the goal of the staff while she was City Clerk.She gave special thanks to her family, her husband David, and sons Steve and Jacob, saying they were always there to share in the good news of the day and to listen when it had been particularly tough. Her family was with her for the occasion. Besides David, Jacob, and Steve, there was her daughter in law, Cortney Edwards; her grandson Caleb Lee, Her sister-in-law Brenda Streeval, and father, Pete Jessee. Mayor Bell's son, Robert, whose on air name spoke. He noted that as college roommate of Mayor Mark Harris, he could say that he had lived with two Columbia Mayors. He said that he would be always be thankful that his Dad worked with such a wonderful group of people. "He loved to go to work, and that says a lot about the people in this room." He added, "I thank you all for that. God bless you all." Chief of Police Jason Cross thanked Clerks Jane Keltner and Carolyn Edwards for the good advice they had been given. He thanked Mayor Bell for all the for giving him the opportunity to be Chief of Police and for urging all the employees to realize their ambititions and "reach for the brass ring." Sonya Roy, the new City Clerk, said that in the years she had worked with Carolyn Edwards, she had always helped her and that the outgoing clerk told her she'd always be a just a call away if help were needed. She thanked Mayor Bell for making the workplace enjoyable, for entertaining the workers, and for the job he had done. He took time for us," she said, "now I hope he'll take time to enjoy things for himself." Craig Dean, the new Mayor Pro Tem, noted the concurrency of his tenure, until the retirements of Mayor Bell and Clerk Edwards. "Since I've been on the Council," he said, "they have been running the show. They always opened doors for me, and for that I'm thankful." Councillor June Parsons noted that through all their service together, sometimes feathers had been ruffled, but, she said, "I do appreciate all you've done for our community." Former Mayor Curtis Hardwick spoke, and acknowledged that when he resigned to take a state government post, he had urged the City Council to choose one of their own as the new Mayor. "They didn't take my advice," Mayor Hardwick said. "And I've got to say this is one time I'm glad they didn't." Instead, they chose Pat Bell for the position. Turning to Mayor Harris, he said, "I know you'll do a good job for the city, too." Freshman City Council member Tony Grider thanked Mayor Bell and the City Clerk, saying, "You've done a lot of great things. The City of Columbia is losing two great assets." City Police Officer Josh Brockman told the outgoing Mayor and and Clerk that it had been a great opportunity to work with them, revealing a pet name, "The Mayor and Momma," staffers had clandestinely used for their leaders. "It was a pleasure to work with both of you," he said, adding, "You always made us feel a part of the team." Mayor Harris closed the dinner saying, "I hope God continues to bless you. We'll miss you both," and to Mayor Bell, he said, "We worked together for just a short time, but we're friends for life." The buffet dinner, featuring Baked Ham and Roast Pork Loin, Grated Potatoes with Cheddar Casserole, Dinner Roles and Wickedly Sinful Chocolate Cake, was catered by Paula Miller. This story was posted on 2011-01-05 08:24:34
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