Poplar Bluff city planner Dennis Avery was honored Thursday by local and state officials after 28 years as a public servant.
Avery retires March 1, having helped the city improve storm water management, start Buff up the Bluff and mosquito abatement programs, and complete many other projects.
"It's rewarding to help people and see progress," said Avery. "We're either part of the solution or part of the problem, and I always want to be part of the solution."
It's not easy to walk away from what he's done for 28 years, said Avery, who plans to spend more time with his family, including wife, Debbie, sons, Dalton and Dylan, and grandchildren, Adalyn and Rowan.
The city has advertised for a new city planner and began interviews today. There were approximately 25 applicants, said city manager Mark Massingham, who will make the appointment, possibly as early as next week.
Avery has been city planner since 2009, and joined the planning and inspections departments in 2006, Mayor Ed DeGaris said, when presenting a proclamation in Avery's honor. Avery began work with the city in 1990, with the mosquito abatement program.
"We're losing a great asset for the city, but I'll have a friend forever. He's just that type of person," said DeGaris, earlier telling a crowd at the Black River Coliseum, "As planner, (Dennis) takes pride in the town and any job he does."
Avery has also served as floodplain manager, flood buyout administrator, stormwater manager and tree advisory board administrator.
He is most proud of some of the work he has done to reduce flooding in parts of the city, Avery said today. Through grant money, the city was able to add storm water retention basins in areas like Gray Street, Bacon Park, Northwood Drive and Karmen Lane.
"We did it in areas where we could help the most people," he said.
Avery also received a resolution Thursday from the Missouri House of Representatives and Speaker of the House Todd Richardson, and a plaque from city manager Mark Massingham.
Avery is to be commended for a job well done, said Massingham, who has worked with Avery throughout his career.
"He's done many jobs for the city, from fighting mosquitoes to helping clean up neighborhoods," said Massingham. "The last few years, he put his efforts toward helping clean up Poplar Bluff, making sure burnouts were demolished, and derelict buildings were demolished."
Avery was also instrumental in the voluntary flood buyout programs, according to Massingham, which used state grant money to remove structures from flood-prone areas.
Poplar Bluff loses a wealth of knowledge with Avery's retirement, said planning department secretary Nevada Young.
"Anything that had to be done, he stepped up and did it," said Young. "He's like a library of knowledge that's closing."
Avery was instrumental in helping city inspector Tony Chilton learn his job, according to Chilton.
"He was a great boss to work for. He's really gone out of his way to do what needed to be done," Chilton said.
Avery has always tried to help everyone, DeGaris also said.
"That was always important to me, that I served the public," Avery said. "We all are public servants.
"That's one thing I always tried to do, treat somebody the way I wanted to be treated."