By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Cabot Public Works director Jerrel Maxwell retired last week after working for the city the past 14 years. A retirement dinner was held for Maxwell on Thursday letting co-workers and friends wish him well on his retirement.
State Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot) presented Maxwell with a state Senate citation for his work with the city.
The 69-year-old was a builder before he was hired as a city building inspector in 1997 under former Cabot Mayor Joe Allman.
Maxwell and his wife, Lynn, who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, plan to travel and go camping. They would like to visit Yellowstone National Park.
“I’ve enjoyed working for the city and serving the citizens of this town. I enjoyed working with the council and the planning commission,” Maxwell said.
He said he is most proud of drainage improvements, the city worked on to help control flooding and the adding of a lane on Locust Street.
Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert said, “Jerrel is an honorable, dedicated city employee. He is very knowledgeable and has done a lot for the city. I’m sure he and his family will be assets to the community. I wish him very well in his retirement.”
Former Mayor Joe Allman said he and Maxwell have been friends since 1963. Maxwell went to work for the city in 1997 as a building inspector when new home construction was hot in the city.
“Jerrel is a good man and he’ll be missed by the city,” Allman said.
Before being elected state senator, Eddie Joe Williams, as Cabot’s mayor, worked four years with Maxwell.
“You can hire a person with an education but you can’t hire them with a heart,” Williams said.
He said Maxwell had a work ethic that surpassed everyone. His retirement is a loss for the city.
“He was my right-hand man,” Williams said.
Cypert said Maxwell’s position remains unfilled. The city is re-working the job description and plans to do a nationwide search for a new public works director.
