The Town of Battleford started advertising for a new administrator about a year ago, knowing Sheryl Ballendine had retirement in mind. Monday, she made her decision to retire official.
Town councillors received a letter from Ballendine stating her retirement date will be Dec. 31, 2015, however she is also entitled to some holiday time before that date so her last day in the office is as yet unknown.
Ballendine said she will have been working at Town Hall for 34 and a half years by her retirement date. She began working for the Town as receptionist in 1981. Alex Dillabough was mayor at the time.
When then administrator Garry Gelech moved on in 1985, Ballendine became assistant administrator and in 1993, with Roger Huel moving on, she became administrator.
As an administrator, Ballendine worked with four mayors, Gary MacArthur, Gail Sack, Chris Odishaw and the current mayor, Derek Mahon.
Over those years she has also worked with 19 different members of council.
As for staff, she said, "I haven't put that list together yet, but I am going to do it before I go, just for myself."
Mayor Mahon thanked Ballendine for 34.5 years of "extremely dedicated service to the Town of Battleford."
He thanked her for all her time, the overtime, the meetings she attended and for working with the public.
"In 34.5 years you run into a lot of situations that present themselves on a day-to-day basis," he said. "You don't know what to expect next some days."
Ballendine laughed, "Conrad's learning that," referring to assistant administrator Conrad Olson, who joined the town this spring.
In her letter, Ballendine wrote, "In my heart Battleford is my home and will be forever."
She thanked the present council and past councils for the support they have given her.
"Town council and staff have become my second family, so to speak, and saying goodbye will be difficult, but at the same time I am looking forward to the next phase of life."
While it wasn't clear what her last day of work would be, Ballendine said she would be back for the annual Christmas party. "A last hurrah," she laughed.
