After 24 years of service to the city of Hudson Oaks, city secretary Sheila Elmore announced her retirement near the end of 2012.
Elmore received a standing ovation at the Nov. 29 City Council meeting when Mayor Pat Deen honored her."It's very special and an honor to me to declare this Sheila Elmore Day," Deen announced that day.Elmore first joined the city in November of 1988 as a city clerk whose job was to answer the phone and also handle the water billing.She then served as a municipal court clerk for six years and as an associate judge. In 1996 she became the city secretary, her favorite role.Elmore said her favorite part of the job was preparing for the City Council and Planning and Zoning Board meetings and the meetings themselves."They become more of a family and not just coworkers," Elmore said of the others on staff with her.At the November meeting, the mayor also described Elmore's career as including about 300 meetings, 15 elections, four mayors, 60 council and board members as well as four city hall locations.At a retirement party in her honor January 10, Elmore was further honored with a plaque and other gifts.Judy Flanagan from the office of Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, presented her a flag that had been flown over the state capitol in her honor."There will definitely be a void where your place is," Flanagan addressed Elmore."We're fortunate to have had an employee here for 24 years," Deen said in November. "That represents stability."Numerous residents, city officials and friends - including Weatherford Mayor Dennis Hooks - came to the party to express their gratitude to Elmore."The one thing I found that was always constant was Sheri Elmore," Deen said of his 15 years with the city that were made easier with the help of Elmore.City Administrator Sheri Campbell-Husband read letters from others who were not able to attend including a former mayor and the chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board."The greatest gift she's given me over the course of four years is laughter," Campbell-Husband said.Assistant City Administrator Patrick Lawler said Elmore is part of the reason he decided to stay at Hudson Oaks for the past five years. He also said she is part of the foundation that makes the city special.Through the more than two decades, Elmore saw many exciting changes come about, she said."I saw the city grow," Elmore said. "When I first moved here there were no red lights."Not only did Elmore see the first red lights get put in but she also saw new stores such as Wal-Mart as well as the movie theater come in. Elmore said it has grown greatly since the time when there were only two restaurants to eat at.Elmore said she looks forward to the new changes as well including the construction to the Fort Worth Highway's median and the new water park."It's going to be exciting," Elmore said.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
