Whitten recognized for 20 years of service

Toledo City Clerk Michelle Whitten accepts a plaque Nov. 3 commemorating her 20 years at City Hall.

Toledo has recognized City Clerk Michelle Whitten for 20 years of service to the community and presented her with a plaque during the city council's Nov. 3 meeting.

Having been hired in 1994, Whitten's 20 years with the city was described as being defined by "outstanding service and commitment," with officials stating they were grateful to have had her on staff.

"I want to thank Michelle personally because she's been a very big help to me," said Mayor Jerry Pratt. "If the council agrees, I think we've been very lucky."

The council concurred with statements of "awesome" and "great job" during the presentation, while members of Whitten's family were also on hand to show their support.

Whitten herself said the success she has encountered while working for the city has come in large part from the assistance of fellow city staff, as well as officials past and present.

"I really want to thank everybody else, too, that's helped me through the 20 years," she said, stating their support has made her responsibilities feel much easier to fulfill by comparison.

Toledo's staff, under Whitten's management, has been credited with the recent successes of infrastructure funding programs related to a new sewer plant and water tower within the city, the first of which is under construction and the second to be built next year, while Pratt has regularly credited Whitten and the rest of his employees with considerable dedication due to their willingness to endure fewer hours and frozen pay rates at times to help balance the city budget.

"My 11 years in office have been greatly helped by Michelle being in that seat," he said.