On Friday, January 5th, city hall employees gathered to congratulate Chief Deputy Clerk Cindy Pitts on her upcoming retirement. The ceremony included a plaque and proclamation presentation by Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee and a declaration of January 5, 2024 as Cindy Pitts Day in the City of Laurel. Refreshments and reminisces followed.
Pitts began her employment with the city in 2004 as an administrative assistant to the fire chief. In 2015, she transferred to the city clerk’s office to serve as the chief deputy clerk.
“Cindy has been a valuable asset to the City and an enjoyable presence in City Hall where she has endeared herself to many with her ‘tell-it-like-it-is’ manner, reliable smoke breaks, and ability to handle most any situation with pragmatism and good humor,” Mayor Magee said as he read the proclamation and smiled.
“Cindy has become well-connected with the citizens of our community and served as a helpful resource in matters related to special events, business privilege licenses, bid openings, elections, public records and property matters, and generally helping citizens navigate city services. Now, therefore, I, Johnny Magee, Mayor of the City of Laurel, Mississippi, do hereby proclaim Friday, January 5, 2024 Cindy Pitts Day in the City of Laurel and do hereby urge our employees and citizens to join me in congratulating Cindy on the occasion of her retirement, expressing gratitude and appreciation for her faithful and exemplary service to the citizens of Laurel and wishing her good health, happiness and joy in the future.”
Pitts thanked Mayor Magee and City Clerk Mary Ann Hess for their kindness. She said that after working for over forty years, she was ready to go home and enjoy it. She said she planned on spending more time with family but admitted that she would have to get used to being at home.
Her last day to work was January 12th. At the end of the day, Alfred Jordan, who worked with Pitts at the Laurel Fire Department prior to his own retirement, dropped by the city clerk’s office to serenade her with his remarkable rendition of Boyz II Men’s “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” to mark her last day as a city employee before beginning her new chapter.
Her service to the city is appreciated by all who worked with her and she will be missed greatly by her many friends and co-workers.
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