Six retire from city

Published 7:18 pm Friday, June 24, 2011

Six City of Bainbridge employees—including three department heads—are taking advantage of the city’s early retirement package and calling it quits.

Effective July 1, Fire Chief Dennis Mock, Utilities Director Ronnie Parish and Assistant Fire Chief James Brock will be retiring.

Effective Aug. 1, Public Works Director Tommy King and firefighter John Handsford will be retiring.

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Charles Miller, a long time employee of the Leisure Services Department, had announced his retirement prior to the city council approving the early retirement package, and decided to be included in the package.

Public Safety Director Larry Funderburke, who is also set to retire at the end of the year, said Friday Mock’s replace will be named by the new Public Safety director. On Monday, Funderburke said a notice looking for Brock’s replacement will be distributed internally.

The city’s early retirement package, which expires on July 8, is offered to a city employee that meets the “Rule 90.” Rule 90 is if the employee’s age and years of service with city equals 90.

The advantage of the early retirement package is that the employee will receive the same benefits of a full-aged retiree, such as someone 67 years old, without taking the early retiree’s age into account.

Mock, who has been one of the longest serving city employees, retires after 40 years and eight months. Brock has 37 years, starting with the city in September 1974. Handsford started in November 1977, having 34 years of service.

King, who has 39 years of service, started working with the city in December 1972.

Parish, who has been with the city on and off prior to March 1982, at which time he started full time.