- February 6, 2025
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City Council's Jan. 4 meeting allowed for goodbyes to the people who have worked for the city and retired this year. In 2017, 20 employees retired.
Saying goodbye
"There's a lot of institutional knowledge, if you will, that's leaving here," Councilman Drew Bastian said addressing the retired employees before adding, "we really appreciate what you did for us."
Some employees, such as Thomas Troutman, have worked with the city since the 1980s. Troutman began his career as a utility service worker with the city's public utilities department on Jan. 3, 1989, and worked his way up to the position of reclaimed water production manager in 2015.
"The folks here and the folks unable to make it tonight left a tremendous legacy of work and accomplishments here in the city," City Manager Jake Johansson said.
Barbara "Barbie" Allman, who started her career with the city in 1985, was first a PBX operator for the city clerk's office before eventually holding the title of program specialist with the Parks and Recreation Department. Allman has played a role in planning major events, such as the Mayor's Golf Tournament and the Christmas Parade.
Other retirees, like Patrick Marsh, began their careers with the city of Port Orange in the 1990s. Marsh started on Oct. 22, 1990, as a water treatment plant operator. In his 27 years working for the city, Marsh has been a part of multiple projects, including backwash improvements.
Christopher Scaccia, Robert Gaines Jr., Debbie Grabowski and Barry Marotte were a part of the Port Orange Police Department before retiring.
Then there's Richard Towey who began his career with the city's public utilities department as a water plant operator trainee on September 24, 1977.
Towey has been the city's longest employed senior plant operator with more than 40 years of service in Port Orange.
"I especially will miss you all," Councilman Bob Ford said. "We go back so many years. ... I hope our new generation will be as good as the people that are leaving."
New vice Mayor
Scott Stiltner will now hold the title of vice mayor after an anonymous vote during the Thursday, Jan. 5, City Council meeting.
Stiltner said he was honored to be nominated by the other council members. He takes on the role after Councilman Bob Ford who held the title throughout 2017.
"I'm going to be followed by a very competent councilman," Ford said. "He'll do a better job than probably I. He's a good man."
The position will allow Stiltner to act as mayor during the absence or disability of Mayor Don Burnette.
"It's just another opportunity to be a part of the council and serve the community," Stiltner said. "[It's] a little bit of a different level to be there when the mayor can't be there to represent the city — those are few and far between, but when he needs me, I'll be there to step in for him."
