Transit Dispatcher Retiring After 32 Years
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Information reprinted with permission of the Courier Times, local newspaper New Castle, Indiana 4/22/2014 6:18:00 PM |
| By BOB HANSEN Bhansen@thecouriertimes.com Debbie Lundy says she is giving up "one of the most posh jobs" in New Castle when she retires next Wednesday. Lundy received a standing ovation at the start of Monday's New Castle City Council meeting on Monday. She is retiring after working 37 years, 7 months, in the city transportation system, including the last 20 years as dispatcher. In appreciation, Transportation General Manager Doug Sloan presented her with a large clock and a lifetime pass to the city transit system. Mayor Greg York said Lundy has been more than a dispatcher. As the person who answers the phone and then dispatches city transportation to pick up people, "You don't know how many people who call in are comforted when they hear your voice." Lundy said that she went to work for the city as a bus driver in 1982. She had been working in Bud Ayers' market and when he became mayor, he told her of the job opening. She was a single parent at the time and needed the benefits, so she signed on. After 17 years, she became the dispatcher. She called the job posh because "I sit on my heiny and talk to people all day long, but you probably can't say that in the paper though." Her children and husband, Donald, will be hosting a retirement reception for her from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at Foursquare Gospel Church Flower House, 3200 S. 14th St. The public is invited. On Wednesday, the city will host a public reception for her from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the transit office, 201 S. 25th St. In retirement she plans to travel and camp more. |
