After 12 years serving as the director of the City’s Public Works department, Wayne Shelton is set to retire on March 31.
“The old adage is, you’ll know when it’s time to retire,” Shelton said. “I think I know it’s time to retire.”
Shelton said it was simply time to close the books on his time in the Public Works department.
Looking around at some of the younger faces who’ve come in prompted Shelton to consider that it was time to “yield to a new way of thinking.”
During a recent City Commission meeting, City Manager Nate Pagan noted that with 119 full-time employees, the Public Works department is “immense.” Pagan also highlighted the work Shelton and the staff have done in bettering Owensboro’s public infrastructure over the years.
“His knowledge, experience and wise counsel will be missed, and his impact on the department and the community will be felt for years to come,” Pagan said.
Mayor Tom Watson said Shelton’s leadership as director of the Public Works department had been long commended by those at City Hall.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shelton’s team was on top of daily infrastructure needs such as fixing sidewalks, dumping trash toters and filling potholes.
“I never hear a complaint from your group, and that comes from leadership,” Watson said. “You’ve proven to everybody that you do what you ask the other people to do, and that’s their job.”
Shelton said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve in the postition for the last dozen year.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege. I’ve had the opportunity to tear down a lot of things in the City of Owensboro and build up a lot of things in the City of Owensboro,” Shelton said. “For that, I’m thankful and grateful.”
