Mansfield’s City Council meeting honored two city employees upon their retirement: Tobie Smith retired from the police department and Duane Debo retired from the fire department. Council also continued to move forward with legislation increasing regulation of pawn and resale/thrift shops as well as precious metals dealers.
Deputy Chief Tobie Smith joined the Mansfield police in 1985 where she served as a dispatcher and parking control officer; she was appointed as a police officer in 1989. Promoted to sergeant in 2000, lieutenant in 2005, and deputy chief in 2010. During her career with the department she served in nearly every division and garnered many awards for her outstanding service.
In 1993 she was the first female officer of the year. She was the first officer to win the TWIN (Tribute to Women in Industry) award in 2007. She was supervisor of the year in 2005, received the NAMI award for excellence in 2006, and the Legion of Merit in 2010.
From the resolution, “Deputy Chief Smith is known for her hard work, dedication and positive attitude toward her work and her co-workers. She has consistently exhibited a high degree of skill, integrity, and perseverance in her job. Her retirement represents a loss to the Mansfield Division of Police and the citizens of this community and culminates a career that has exemplified the best qualities of a law enforcement professional.”
Council members took the opportunity to personally express gratitude and congratulations to Smith.
“You go above and beyond. We can tell by your actions how much you love your community,” said Councilman Mike Hill.
“We are going to miss you. You are certainly a woman of character, a person of character and you lead by example. You opened the door for so many other people. You don’t know what you have done for so many people, but you have been an example for so many people,” said Councilwoman Pat Hightower.
Smith was a little choked up as she said, “It’s been an honor to serve this community and there’s not been a day I wasn’t proud to wear that uniform.”
Also honored for his retirement was Firefighter/EMT Duane Debo, who served his community for twenty-five years. Debo received a Legion of Merit award in 1996 for a lifesaving rescue from a fire.
From the resolution, “He was a very dedicated professional and will be missed by all who served alongside him. Firefighter Duan Debo’s retirement represents a great loss to the Mansfield Fire Department. He has our congratulations and heartfelt thanks for his many years of loyal service and we wish him good health and happiness in the future.”
Councilman Sam Dunn thanked Debo, “My hat goes off to you more than you know, for personal reasons. My mother burnt up in a fire. It takes a lot to do what you do and to do that for 25 years–my hat goes off to you and to your wife.”
“I’d like to say thanks to council and the citizens of Mansfield for allowing me the privilege to work at the fire department for 25 years. Some of my fellow firefighters are here tonight and I thank them for being here and for being there throughout my career, without them you’re nothing when it comes to working at the fire department. My friends and family, especially my wife Michelle, who also is retiring as a firefighter’s wife. Giving up your husband for 24 hours every third day isn’t a sacrifice that everyone would make; but she did it and she did it right and she should be recognized as well tonight,” said Debo.
In regular council business bills 14-039 and 14-040 passed their first reading. The bills will modernize and update existing laws regarding pawn shops and thrift and secondhand stores. Additionally 14-058 will establish regulations and license requirements for precious metal dealers. These three pieces of legislation will ensure better tracking and enforcement for the police when it is suspected that stolen goods are being sold or pawned illegally.
Final appropriations for 2014 passed council unanimously. One local citizen spoke during both council and caucus to express her concerns about the appropriations.
During caucus Deborah Mount said, “Can you promise the citizens that every dollar of the pride tax will go where the ballot language specifies without shorting any general fund money to these departments. Or if you will not be able to process what was promised, can you please tell us now?”
City Finance Director Linn Steward replied, “The ‘Pride Tax’ is a special revenue so it has to be accounted for and it will be appropriated. The auditors will check on that also.”
Also during council Boy Scout Troop 120 from Saint Peter’s School attended council as a portion of their citizenship badge. Two Scouts addressed council with questions and the troop also took the opportunity to talk to council members after the meeting.
