The Mt. Carmel City Council meeting yesterday served as a fond farewell to retiring City Clerk Rudy Witsman. The meeting started with former city commissioner Rod Rodriguez praising Witsman for his many years of service to the city and continued with Mayor Joe Judge and the rest of the city council showering Witsman with praise as his retirement became official yesterday. For his part, Witsman thanked the council for their support and offered a challenge to city residents….

Witsman continued by saying it’s time for the city to pull together….

 Witsman said it was important that he was retiring on his terms and that he enjoyed working for the city in his roles starting in 1983 as city commissioner, mayor, and city clerk.

New police chief Mike McWilliams said it was Witsman’s compassion for city employees that stood out in his mind saying the well-being of the employees was always important for Witsman even during contract negotiations.

Witsman is being replaced by former police chief Ryan Turner who did not attend yesterday’s meeting because of a previously planned vacation before he was named city clerk.