CAMDEN — By BRADLY GILL
Staff writer
After 45 years in public service, Camden Public Works Director Sam Steelman formally announced his resignation through a letter read by Mayor Marie Trisollini at Tuesday’s Camden City Council Meeting.
“Dear Mayor Marie Trisollini and City Council Members,
"It is with great excitement, as well as a sincere statement that I write this letter. On March 20, 1972, I made a decision that would chart the course of my professional and personal life for many years to come, that is when I decided to sign on to work for the City of Camden.
"It has been an honor to work with so many talented and outstanding people over my career. I have made the decision, along with my family’s support and blessings, to retire from the city of Camden as Public Works Director on August 31, 2017. After serving the city of Camden for the last 45 years, it is time to go home and enjoy my time with the one’s I love most; my family. I sincerely appreciate all the ones that have helped my along the way. That list is way too long to recognize each one by name, but to each of you I say thank you for taking a chance on me. To those that have worked with me, thank you for allowing me to be your leader. That alone has been a blessing every day.
"It has truly been a pleasure to serve the people of Camden for so long. I will certainly miss the friendships made and all of the experiences I have had navigating the operations of helping to run the city for so long.
"This is not a goodbye, but rather a 'see you around.' This great city will always be home to me and my family.
"It has been an honor to work so long in such a great place. Trust God. Period.
"Sam Steelman."
Trisollini went on to say a retirement party would be held for Steelman on Sept. 1. Food and refreshments will be provided.
She recalled one of her first meetings with Steelman. Trisollini said:
“Sam is one of the coolest people I have ever known. When I was first elected, one of my first days, he came…pulled up in the truck and he said, ‘If you don’t mind, I’ll take you around and show you your city.’ He put me in the truck and took me around and looked at me and said, ‘I just want you to know, you can be a dumba** for about a week, and then you have to know what you’re doing.’”
During the audience participation portion of Tuesday's meeting, Michael Fountain - a resident who expressed a number of concerns at last month’s meeting - returned with a letter written to him by the Mayor and with five additional questions for the council. He asked:
• When was the splash pad originally scheduled to be completed?
• Why was it not completed on time?
• Who was contracted to complete the project and why didn’t they?
• How was the payment done?
Fountain also noted that city workers have painted free-throw lines on the basketball court at Carnes Park as per his request at an earlier meeting, but questioned why the whole court hadn’t been painted.
Fountain then stepped down, as his five minutes were up.
Fountain’s time on the stand was later questioned and it was clarified by the council that instead of a question-and-answer-style debate, audience participation is a time for residents to express concerns and grievances, and that the mayor would address those concerns at the earliest possible time.
In new business, the council passed Ordinance No. 30-17, assessing a lien on certain property located at 432 and 438 Union Street W. The council said properties at this location were on the city’s “tear down” list. Six houses have been torn down this year, with about 40-45 houses left on the list.
The group also passed Ordinance No, 31-17, "permitting an official of the Camden Airport Commission to be interested in contracts with the City of Camden." It was stated that this would allow Tim Jordan of Jordan Construction, to bid on projects.