By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A unique and admiral era of public service in Decatur will come to an end, likely on Friday, December, 29, when Phyllis Whitright walks out of City Hall for the final time as the city’s clerk-treasurer.
For 26 ½ years she has served in that post, providing rock-solid financial leadership that has come to be known and glorified throughout Indiana. She has done so with dignity, grace, and a love of human beings that brought out all sorts of appreciation – some times emotional – at her final city council meeting, held Tuesday night in City Hall.
Numerous city members of city government, as well as department heads and co-workers rose to thank Whitright for her support, for the assistance she provided them.
Mayor Dan Rickord kicked it off by explaining that 26 ½ years “is like, if my math is correct, 636 (council) meetings – and she missed just two.” There were hundreds of other non-council meetings as well, he pointed out.
“You just can’t explain the dedication she has given us.”
He went on to note – as he has in the past – that officials at the State Board of Accounts have told him that “if they had 100 Phyllises across the state, their job would be easy. So it’s good to know the good hands that we have been in.”
Councilman Matt Dyer, whose mother is Phyllis’ sister, said, “My story about my aunt goes back around 75 years ago,” when John and Loreto (Sis) Eichhorn were married. Eight children later, twins came along, one or them being Phyllis.
“She was an added blessing then and she has been a blessing for this city,” he said. “I’m really proud of you and the job you have done.”
Anne Razo, wrapping up her first four-year term as city attorney, told Whitright: “I couldn’t have done this job without your help. You have set the bar incredibly high for what a city employee should be.”
Operations Manager Jeremy Gilbert, Utilities Director Kevin Hackman (who will assume the clerk-treasurer duties January 1), Fire Chief Jeff Sheets, Building/Zoning Director Curt Witte, and Infrastructure Manager Josh Zimmerman – all department heads – were among others who offered their thanks and commented how much they had been helped by Whitright.
Former longtime city attorney Tim Baker (photo) attended the meeting to read a resolution – as he had done many times at past meetings – which provided more praise of Whitright.
“Whereas, despite the stress of the job, lengthy meetings, and the ever-increasing responsibilities assigned to her position by the state legislature,” the resolution said, “Phyllis has always acted professionally, with kindness with a sense of humor and a smile, with the expectation of herself that she would do her job as skillfully and competently as possible and always with a positive attitude that ‘We’ll get it’ …”
In brief comments, Phyllis offered thanks and appreciation to many and singled out her “three angels,” referring to co-workers Wendi Gephart and Cheri Bienz, and Barb Engle (part-time deputy clerk-treasurer). “You guys have been wonderful; thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said. “I love you guys.”
It was then left to Gephart, 13½ years with the department, and Bienz, 1½ years, to present Phyllis with a key to the city.
(Left to right in photo: Bienz, Gephart, Whitright and Rickord.)