Published: May 16, 2008 10:19 pm            

CITY OF TONAWANDA: City employees bid colleague farewell

When a mayor presents someone a key to the city, that someone is usually a high-ranking official, such as a governor.

Tonawanda Mayor Ron Pilozzi, though, presented a key to his city to City Administrator Don Witkowski, who is leaving after 10 years to take a post in the Village of Hamburg.

“For you, we made a special exception,” Pilozzi said Friday during a reception for Witkowski, 51, in City Hall. The mayor said it gave him “a sinking feeling” to stand before Witkowski’s family, friends and co-workers to wish him well. Witkowski, 51, starts work Monday as Hamburg’s village clerk, treasurer and administrator.

“He’s been such a big part of everything we do here,” Pilozzi said, adding that former Mayor Alice Roth’s hiring of Witkowski was probably the best move any Tonawanda mayor has ever made.

“He dove right into our problems, and there were many,” Roth said Friday. “He was always congenial. He embraced the city. Even though he was from North Tonawanda, he did convert.”

City Clerk Janice Bodie presented Witkowski a parting gift on behalf of the Common Council — a keepsake brick from the Spaulding Fibre complex. Witkowski also was sent off Friday with a bucket of pretzels, a basket of other goodies and a six-pack of Sam Adams Summer Ale.

“I’m really going to miss everybody I worked with,” Witkowski said. “I had a great time here, and I hope I made a difference in the community.”

Judy Simon, Pilozzi’s executive secretary, said she’s enjoyed working with Witkowski for the past two years. “He’s the best,” she said. “He’s got a very calm personality and he’s a go-to person. I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to work with Don.”

Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.

        

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