SEBASTIAN — The day was sunny and the gathering was happily non-political, with no issues to discuss and no pros and cons to be debated, as about 100 friends, officials and co-workers came together to say farewell to City Manager Al Minner, who is leaving his position with the City of Sebastian to take the same spot with the central Florida City of Leesburg.
Cafeteria tables filled the southeast patio entrance area, and a lunch buffet spread was laid out under the portico, with a cake and cookies table at one end. Shortly after Minner arrived, Anjani Cirillo, president of the Sebastian Clambake Foundation, presented him with a Clambake T-shirt which he donned immediately. Soon he was engulfed in well-wishers offering hugs, handshakes and pats on the back, punctuated by lots of “we’ll miss you,” good natured joshing and cellphone “happy snaps.”
Vice-mayor Jim Hill undertook emcee duties and said his experience working with Minner had been very positive. Among those speaking about their own time with Minner was former Councilman Sal Neglia.
He called Minner, “a great man to work for. He knows his stuff.”
Former Councilwoman Dale Simchick said that someone in the City Manager position “has to delicately balance” many issues, individual positions and feelings.
“I don’t know anyone who does it better. We’re fond of you and will miss you,” she told Minner.
Lennie Matika, president of the Senior Activities Center, thanked Minner, and the Council, for allowing a vacant city building to be used for the much needed Senior Center.
“We started with 40 people, 18 months ago,” he said. “And now we have around 200, and you made it possible.”
Hill agreed, saying that, when a good idea is proposed, Minner doesn’t look for reasons why it can’t be done but, rather, looks for ways to accomplish it.
Councilman Richard Gillmor told the crowd he had planned to sing an Al Minner version of “Camelot,” he would have called it “Minnerville,” and he did hum a couple of bars. He then said he had seen Minner’s name listed as a teacher in one of IRSC’s city management courses – his subject – Micromanagement.
When the chuckles had subsided, he added, “Just kidding.”
But Minner, smiling broadly, responded that when he was interviewed for the Leesburg job, he was asked if he was a micromanager and he answered “Yes!”
Gillmor said that Minner had been adept at putting “good people in place,” with the city, pointing out that Community Development Director and Airport Director Joe Griffin, who “wears about five different hats on his head” will be a terrific interim city manager.
Griffin spoke of the family atmosphere Minner had encouraged among city employees, adding “I’d like to keep that.”
During Minner’s eight years, the city, said Griffin, went through good times and hard ones, with Minner charting the course.
“To continue what you have taught us over the years,” said Griffin, “I’d like to present you with this” – he handed Minner an envelope. “It’s the bill for this event. Be sure to pay it on your way out.”
Laughter.
Griffin handed Minner a second envelope as “a token of our appreciation.”
Hill agreed he does consider the City staff “a family. Al,” he said, “was in command when we went through the hardest times, economically, we’ve ever seen, and we were still able to complete the Collier Creek project, the quarter round project (a big boon for drainage), lots of Main Street improvements – and its all because of Al Minner. Sebastian has great standing throughout the state –double AA I think – our rating went up as the state’s went down. We have a great reserve, we’ve kept costs down and level of service up. Al is a good leader and a good friend. He cares about Sebastian.”
Former Councilman Don Wright said, “If this was a roast, I’d mention Al’s golf game,” adding, “Through some tough times, Al has been a very good city manager. In the City Manager world, about 5-7 years is when it’s time to move forward, and we wish you continued success in your career.”
“You made us look good,” added Hill.
Minner told his fellow city employees, “We’ve enjoyed these accomplishments because of a lot of good people. I can’t express how fond I am of you all and of Sebastian.
Cirillo invited Minner back for next year’s Clambake.
“You can be a Chowder Judge and work in the beer concession,” she promised.