Manhattan’s long-time clerk will be stepping down after 18 years on the job, but more than 20 with the city.
Gary Fees was promoted to clerk in 2001, overseeing city commission procedure and the satisfaction of state requirements of city governments. Mayor Mike Dodson thanked and acknowledged Fees for his service, saying he is the first to arrive at meetings and the last to leave.
“He’s really made an impact on all of us,” “We’ve redone the meeting format, the meeting is conducted in what I think is a very professional way and Gary is an integral part of doing all this and has been now for 18 years.”
Commissioner Linda Morse echoed Dodson’s comments, adding that he’s trained clerks across the state and she has repeatedly been approached with compliments for Fees while attending League of Kansas Municipalities conferences and events.
“It’s wonderful to hear from your peers from other cities about our staff in such positive ways,” says Morse.
Commissioner Jerred McKee called him kind and says he played a big part in acclimating him to the job as one of the first commissioners elected after the election cycle changed.
“I just vividly remember during that time period Gary reaching out to me the very next day and then fielding all of my anxiety-filled questions,” says McKee. “I had two months to think about being a commissioner rather than a week before I started to have to do the job — so I had maybe 1.1 million questions and Gary fielded a million of those.”
Mayor Pro Tempore Usha Reddi also thanked Fees for his time with the city, saying he’s their therapist.
“I think there are many times we just sat there for no reason other than just to talk to you.”
Fees thanked the Mayor and Commissioners along with all the former representatives and staff he’s worked with.
“The decision has been difficult, but it’s time to re-career and do something else and I’m at a place to do that — so thank you, very much.”
Dodson says a going away celebration will be announced soon.
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