Goodbye Karen

After nearly three decades of working for the city, Karen Cody will take her curtain call today when she retires from her city executive secretary job. Congratulations on twenty six years with the City. We all know the City will be losing a great asset. You’ve been at the heart of City operations for along time. I’m sure there are some things you’ll miss about City Hall. Like when the packet needs to go and there are no minutes. Maybe you’ll get the urge to come in between Christmas and New Years and help collect taxes from the appreciating masses.
There are a lot of people you’ll miss too. I assume the blind on that window will open now. It’s hard to think you’ll never have to deal with the real estate agent who thinks that Watertown does everything right. How about the guy who demands a boat launch pass but doesn’t have his boat registration. Tell me you’re not going to miss the person who will not license their cat no matter how many times you call. The guy who needs his homework reviewed more then once. The one council member looking for a way to discredit the City Manager.
To help you through these tough times, we’ll refer the yellow pages telephone calls to you at home. This will help pass the slow time when the grandchildren are visiting.
Your personal history and experience with hundreds of City and community leaders will be irreplaceable. We’ll all miss your work ethic and commitment to the City which are legendary. It’s hard to imagine City Hall without you here. Your retirement is well-deserved, and I know you look forward to spending more time with the family.
You have left behind a legacy of representing this office with a high degree of integrity and professionalism, and have put a very good face on the city. We wish you well in your retirement and you'll be sorely missed,