The November election and now retirements from three key City of Shelbyville employees will change the look of city government on Jan. 1.
At Tuesday’s Board of Works meeting at City Hall, Shelbyville’s police chief, fire chief and street department director all submitted their retirement notices.
Police Chief Mark Weidner stepped to the podium first.
“Today is a little different. I’ve been in front of the board with a lot of these letters over the years but this one happens to be mine,” said Weidner, who has served the city for over 36 years. “It time for me to retire.”
Weidner’s retirement will become official on Jan. 6.
“I want to thank everybody that has been a part of my career for the opportunity,” he said. “I have so many things to say about being a police officer for as long as I have but the only thing I will say is when it was good, it was good and when it was bad, it was awful.
“My wife and family have had to put up with a lot for me to be at this point in my career, and I appreciate everyone around me.”
Brian Tackett was promoted to Fire Chief in August of 2022 following the retirement of Tony Logan.
“I wanted to notify the board that I have officially set my retirement date for Dec. 30 of this year,” said Tackett at the meeting. “Thank you for the opportunity to be the chief.
Tackett has been with the Shelbyville Fire Department for almost 21 years.
Doug Hunt, Director of the Shelbyville Street Department, also will officially retire on Dec. 30.
“I am retiring at 69 years old and it’s time to spend time with the wife and make her happy,” said Hunt.
Mayor-elect Scott Furgeson has already announced the next police chief and fire chief.
For more on the new Police Chief, go to https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/718962/bill-dwenger-to-become-shelbyville-police-chief
For more on the new Fire Chief, go to https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/718958/doug-lutes-chosen-to-serve-as-shelbyville-fire-chief
Furgeson will return to the mayor’s office for his second tenure on Jan. 1 and will be part of a new look common council when it meets for the first time in 2024.
Democrat Joanne Bowen and Republicans Rob Nolley and Brian Asher will no longer be on the council. First-timers Kassy Wilson, Dennis Harrold and Chuck Reed – all Republicans – will assume their seats and join current council members Betsy Means-Davis, Mike Johnson and Thurman Adams. Linda Sanders, another Republican, will take over the 4th ward seat vacated by Ferguson.
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