MANSFIELD — Lori Donaldson spent much of her career with the City of Mansfield fielding codes-and-permit questions concerns from City Council members on behalf of residents.
On Tuesday night, Donaldson heard praises from lawmakers for her work.
Donaldson is retiring at the end of October after 35 years with the city, including the last two decades as a housing inspector for the permitting and development office, a place simply titled “codes and permits” during much of her tenure.
City Council took time on Tuesday to honor Donaldson, who began with the city in 1990 as a police records clerk. She transferred to utility collections as an account clerk in 1992. In 1999, Donaldson moved into parks and recreation as an equipment operator before joining codes and permits in 2004.
One by one, all nine lawmakers thanked her for work, especially in the area of codes and permits.
Even before the kind words began, Donaldson received flowers and a resolution signed by Mayor Jodie Perry and all council members.
“Thank you, everybody. I’ve always been very thankful for my job and I’ve always loved it,” she said.
Second Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Meiers said she had Donaldson’s number “on speed dial.”
“I know I’ll call Lori up and say, ‘Lori, I need to check on … and she’s like, ‘I am already on it.’ It was like you anticipated everything … you knew exactly what I was gonna be calling about,” Meier said.
“You’ve been dedicated to the city and we so appreciate it,” Meier said. “You’re going to be missed.”
At-large Councilwoman Shari Robertson said Donaldson was always there when she called, either as a lawmaker or during her career in the Mansfield Police Department.
“Lori trained so many people. A lot of times I would call her and say, ‘Hey, I don’t think this code inspector got this right. You’re not allowed to have a hole in the roof.’ She’s like, ‘Oh no, let me go back and talk to them’ and she would take people under her wing and train them,” Robertson said.
“I’m going to miss you. Thank you for everything that you’ve done.”
At-large Councilman David Falquette said he also frequently sought Donaldson’s assistance, usually via email.
“I don’t think I called you quite as many times as other people. I like email. I emailed you and you always got on it. You always did a good job,” he said.
Third Ward Councilman Rev. El Akuchie said he didn’t know what he would do without Donaldson.
“You’ve been so efficient. You’ve been so helpful,” he said, adding he saw Donaldson smiling even when dealing with an angry resident. “You’ve been so wonderful, so helpful, and I don’t know who I’m going to call now.
“Thank you for the many years you have served the city so well. You will be missed and you will be remembered, too, for what you’ve done,” Akuchie said.
Fourth Ward Councilwoman Cynthia Daley said Donaldson was always smiling in the workplace.
“I remember before I became a councilwoman, I would always call you (about alley cleanup work) and it would always be cleaned up. I always tell people, ‘Just call codes and permits. They always do their job,'” Daley said.
“Congratulations on your retirement. Enjoy it … but come and work for us still, sometimes,” Daley said.
Fifth Ward Councilman Aurelio Diaz said he had no idea Donaldson worked in so many other city departments.
“I didn’t know you were so well rounded, but I just know that you’ve had a hard job. What you were facing … things aren’t always pretty … but you’re a tough cookie, too. That’s one thing I do know about you,” Diaz said.
“One thing that that really stands out also is when people talk about you in the community. You have a good rapport with them, so I know that when you approach people, you’re not just there writing citations or violations. You really do try to work with the individuals, especially if they have some financial issues … and you’re known for that,” he said.
“You have a great reputation of having a heart, but also being a pit bull when you need to. It’s a hard job,” Diaz said.
Sixth Ward Councilwoman Deborah Mount thanked Donaldson for “the amazing job you did.”
“As everybody said, you knew what you were doing … you got it done. Job well done. Congratulations,” Mount said.