Goodbyes, Hellos Color Berkley City Council Meeting

There were smiles, tears and warm feelings Monday evening during the Berkley City Council meeting at as longtime employees said goodbye and new staff members were introduced.

The council began by recognizing city clerk Mary Hughes and information technology coordinator Brenda Cole upon their retirements and went on to swear in new city clerk Cheryl Printz and recognize other recent retirements and appointments.

Information technology coordinator

Cole began working for Berkley in 1984 as a city hall clerk and held a variety of positions before becoming IT coordinator in 2004.

"The city hall received its first computer in 1984, and Brenda, who was a brand new employee but whose desire was always to find a better way to do things, jumped on board to learn more about these new 'WANG' personal computers," noted a resolution in her honor that was read by Councilman Steve Baker. "At that time, computers were an unknown to most people. A few anxious employees actually warned her that if she wanted to be included with the rest of them, she should have nothing to do with these new computers."

But, Cole was not to be deterred and went on to receive a master's degree in business information technology from Walsh College in 2004. Subsequently, she has overseen citywide computer hardware replacements, redesigned Berkley's website – which she also helped launch in 2002 – set up social media accounts for the city and tripled the e-news subscriber list.

"It's been a fun career and it doesn't seem like 27 years," Cole said.

In retirement, she plans to move to Arkansas to be closer to her mother.

Casey O'Neil, who comes to Berkley from the Metro Times in Detroit, will replace Cole as IT coordinator. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan – Dearborn.

"I look forward to getting started," he told the council Monday evening.

City clerk

Mary Hughes began working for Berkley 22 years ago in the and held a number of positions before becoming city clerk in 2008.

"Mary's caring demeanor, appreciation of satire and, as she often states, her 'duty to God and my Country' are examples we will all remember and do our best to emulate," noted a resolution in her honor that was read by Councilwoman Eileen Steadman.

During her career with Berkley, Hughes initiated the city's recycling program; used her artistic talents to make festive holiday and event decorations; helped to create the city's first website; oversaw Berkley's 75th Anniversary Celebration; created the book Berkley, Then and Now, which documents the city's history; and introduced laptops to the voting precincts, among other accomplishments.

She also became a certified municipal clerk and was a member of the International Association of Municipal Clerks, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks and the Oakland County Clerk's Association.

"It's been a really interesting 22 years in Berkley," said Hughes, who joked that she didn't write the resolution that was read in her honor. 

"(Serving the city) was a real pleasure," she told the City Council as her voice welled with emotion.

In retirement, she plans to spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren.

In Hughes' last act on behalf of the city Monday, she swore in new City Clerk Cheryl Printz.

Printz, who comes to Berkley from a position with the city of Mount Clemens, is a certified municipal clerk. She holds a master's degree in public administration from Wayne State University and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan. Printz has "an extensive background" in elections, communications, public relations, grant writing and community development, Bais-DiSessa said.

"I look forward to serving the citizens of Berkley," Printz said. "I'm very excited about starting my position."

More changes

Bais-DiSessa and the council also recognized several other staff changes.

Former Parks & Recreation Manager Tom Colwell will take over as director of the department from Kevin Price, who is retiring. Price, who has been with the city for more than 35 years, will stay on with Berkley in a contract role.

"It's been a real pleasure," he said Monday of his years of service.

Colwell, who has been with the city for five years, said that in pursuing his career path, he followed the advice of his mom, who told him to find something he loved enough that he'd do it for free.

He officially takes over as director in July.

"We're very pleased with (Colwell's) work," which has helped make the , Bais-DiSessa said. "Excellent job, Tom. I look forward to working with you."

In other staff changes, the city manager said Shawn Young will take over for retiring Department of Public Works foreman Steve Hadley and that a replacement for retiring DPW Director Bruce Jerome also is in the works.

At the end of the meeting, Councilman Phil O'Dwyer cited two of the retirees' own words to capture the level of Berkley employees' dedication:

• "I am proud to be a public employee," retiring City Clerk Mary Hughes said.
• "This is a great city to work for," retiring Parks & Recreation Director Kevin Price said.

O'Dwyer urged residents to take those sentiments to heart and express their appreciation to city workers.