Label
All Council Members
Title
Recognizing Gerald E. Dendinger, Clerk of Council on the occasion of his retirement after 47 years of service to the Citizens of Toledo.
Summary
WHEREAS, Gerald E. Dendinger started with the City of Toledo in 1977, being hired in the City Finance Department; he quickly climbed the ranks to Internal Auditor, Accountant 1, Accountant 3, and Accounts Administrator; and
WHEREAS, Jerry then moved departments to become the Director of Natural Resource, where his time was considered “interesting” under Mayor Carleton Finkbeiner; and went on to Commissioner of Streets, Bridges and Harbor and Administrator of Purchasing; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, lured by Michael Beazley, he thought he had moved to greener pastures with Council where he was hired as Assistant Clerk of Council, and in 2005, Jerry became the Clerk of Council, where he remains today; and
WHEREAS, Jerry has served 26 years at Council and served 20 years working for the Administration, serving over 10 Mayoral Administrations, 60 members of Council while in the Council office, and 85 members of Council overall; and
WHEREAS, Jerry is the longest serving exempt employee in the city currently, and 2nd longest serving employee in the city since 1837, Jerry is still excited to come to the office every day, or so he claims; and
WHEREAS, Jerry will always be known for his faith in humanity, seeing only good in everyone. He was also a frugal steward of the City’s coffers taking the City’s budget as seriously as his own at home; and
WHEREAS, Jerry is known for his dedication, professionalism and the ability to read through appurtenances, flocculations and permanganates without stumbling, as well as attribute multi-million dollar expenditures down to the penny to ABC123STDSTD account codes, never making an error. While he will be remembered for many famous phrases such as Sanctuary Mulch, Delete and Page 2, the number one remembered phrase will be, “This is the original, do not lose it!”; and
WHEREAS, the institutional knowledge that will be lost is irreplaceable; anyone could go to Jerry at any time for past information and he would remember something about it. As a condition of his release, Jerry has promised he will continue to answer his phone if anyone has a question for at least the calendar year of 2024. Thereafter, he will be required to certify his phone number and address on an annual basis; although it may only be for select few; and
WHEREAS, Jerry’s skills as an administrator are impeccable, he also excelled at being a boss. From Wixey’s for birthdays, holiday cards at Christmas, difficult conversations about the job, to bearing witness at funerals for the families of coworkers and friends, employees of Jerry knew they were valued and appreciated. For these things and more, Jerry shall be listed as the kindest, most honest boss a person could ever work for, a man who always made sure he told us Family First; NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That Gerald Eugene Dendinger will be missed more than anyone can express by all who have worked with him; his wife Jane will now enjoy his freedom so they may travel, and that Jerry is hereby recognized and honored for his leadership, compassion, kindness, his countless achievements and contributions to public service and that he is wished relaxation and good health upon his release from Toledo City Council.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.
Adopted: December 19, 2023, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: December 19, 2023
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor