Tuesday, March 16, 1999
Pals praise city manager at retirement
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Looking back on 32 years of city service, Hal Shepherd on Monday quipped: “Wow, 32 years went fast. I can say that now that it's over, but at any point during those 32 years, I probably would've said it was going really, really slow.”
About 370 people gathered Monday at the Hamiltonian Hotel to honor Mr. Shepherd with speeches, jokes and reminiscences upon his retirement from the city manager's post. Mr. Shepherd, whose retirement takes effect at the end of March, has been city manager for 10 years.
“I appreciated his honesty, his straightforwardness and the fact that he has never played politics,” said George W. Turnbull, 86, a lifelong city resident and retired president of George R. Turnbull Concrete Inc.
Mr. Shepherd was known for his “hands-on” approach to his job, said Ohio Rep. Greg Jolivette, R-Hamilton.
“One night, there was a snowstorm and the snowplows had blocked this lady's driveway, and she really needed to get out. So she called Hal, complaining. And instead of calling a crew, he took it upon himself to go over there and dig out her driveway himself,” he said.
“That, I think, epitomizes Hal's service to Hamilton. He has truly cared about the citizens, and that has shone through in every decision he has made.”
A new fire headquarters is being named after Mr. Shepherd, whose late father was a firefighter for many years.
As manager, Mr. Shepherd was required to answer to seven city council members. Mayor Tom Nye lauded him for his ability to deal with “seven bosses with 14 different personalities.”
Then Mr. Nye presented Mr. Shepherd with the key to the city and promised, “We're not going to change the lock on you.”
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