Retirement party to honor Willette, Savage

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – City offices will be closed from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 13, so city staff can hold a retirement party for two of Presque Isle’s most dedicated employees.
    Sharon Willette joined the staff at City Hall in 1966, straight from high school. After 44 years – most recently as the tax collector – Willette worked her last day June 29 but will return on Friday to join those she’s come to know and love over the years.
“They’ve really become my family. I will miss them,” said Willette.
Donald “Spike” Savage has been with the city since 1972. Having always had an interest in numbers, it was no surprise Savage would choose such a memorable day as Friday the 13th to mark his last day on the job.
“Choosing July 13 to retire shows Spike’s sense of humor,” said City Manager Tom Stevens. “He’s been feverishly trying to tie up loose ends. In addition to his duties as finance director, Spike’s given many hours as a volunteer and is active in the Shrine Club.”
City Clerk Nancy Nichols said it will be different not seeing the two around City Hall.
“I met Sharon and Spike when I started working at City Hall as a city planner in 1992 and have continued to work with them since taking the position of city clerk in 1998. It will be strange not seeing the two of them in the halls. They’re such a part of City Hall. It will definitely be different,” said Nichols.
While City Hall will be closed for official business, the doors will be open for all those who want to stop by to visit with the two retirees and wish them well.
“We’ll be having an open house on the third floor between 1 and 5 p.m. Friday. We’re hoping people will stop by to extend their best wishes,” said Stevens.
Stevens advised City Council of the planned festivities during the Monday, July 9, Council meeting.
“We’d like to close particularly between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., with presentations scheduled for 2 p.m.,” said Stevens.
City Councilor Ron McPherson extended his congratulations to Willette and Savage but indicated he would be out of town that day.
“I will be out of town on the 13th for a couple of days. I did speak with Sharon to congratulate her,” said McPherson, wishing a happy retirement to both individuals.
In addition to offices being closed on Friday, Stevens said the same would be true the afternoon of July 25.
“City offices will be closing at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, to allow city employees to attend the annual wellness picnic. Offices hours will return to normal the following day,” Stevens advised the Council, adding, “I would encourage Council to attend both events.”
For more information on either date’s activities, contact 764-4485.