Following 34 years of service, one of the City of Centre’s most cherished employees has decided to retire. The city council on Tuesday reluctantly accepted the retirement letter of City Clerk Mary Lee Tucker.

Centre Mayor Tony Wilkie.

City officials, family and friends have planned a retirement reception for Mary Lee at city hall on Tuesday, January 30th at 11:30 a.m.

In other business the council accepted quarterly reports from Building Inspector Raymond Matthews, Fire Chief Will Gardner, Police Chief Kirk Blankenship, Parks and Recreation Director Charles Glazner and Streets and Sanitation Supervisor Bobby Paul.

Building Inspector Matthews gave an update on the renovation project underway at the JFK Building, Matthews said that crews have the bathroom and kitchen studded out, wiring, plumbing is complete in addition DC Gas has installed an on demand water heater. Matthews said that the entire facility had to be re-plumbed due to the old galvanized pipes. Work at the facility will continue.

In other business the council approved a request from Parks & Recreation Director Charles Glazner to host a Bike Rodeo presented by One World Adventure. That event will be held in the city park May, 19 from 10:00 – 11:30, the event is funded by Stringfellow Health Institute.  

In addition, the council approved the purchase of 21 new lights for the tennis complex at a cost of $13,650. A motion was also passed granting permission for Fire Chief Will Gardner to purchase 12 pairs of turn out gloves at $63 per pair and two batteries for the thermal imaging cameras at a cost of $150 each. The council also granted permission for Gardner to apply for a grant to purchase eight sets of turn out gear.

A request by Streets and Sanitation Supervisor Bobby Paul to purchase a set of tires for one of the city’s garbage trucks was approved, this was a budgeted item.