The big smiles from City of Atlanta employees are on behalf of Alex Benjamin Jr., (center holding gift clock).Wishing him well on his retirement are, from left, Ricky Draper, Kristen Shepard, Becky Allen,Alisha Long, Sandi Savage, Emily Kosub and Daniel C
Atlanta City employee Alex Benjamin’s retirement cake says it all.“Congratulations!” Probably no other cake said it better than this one for the popular water department employee.
Alex retires
Alex Benjamin’s retirement from his city of Atlanta water department work after 27 years of service was typical. The going away party planned for him at 11 a.m. had to be postponed. A water leak emergency occurred in downtown Atlanta.
“Water’s running everywhere,” the report came in. Alex changed directions and ran towards the leak.
Everyone got to laugh later as they came into the council room filled with food, drink and cake. All was ready except for the star of the show. But that’s the nature of a water department and the responsibility of its employees.
Alex helps with his usual good attitude and calm demeanor. These are two of his best traits, said City Manager Danica Porter.
“He’s always willing to help out. Today, for example, he stepped in to help do another person’s job. That’s what we are going to miss. His knowledge. He’s extremely smart, especially with it comes to that waste water plant which he supervises. We are going to miss him,” Porter said.
Alex’s main responsibility has been to keep the city’s waste water plant operating and meeting all the goals of state inspection.
His going away party at city hall had something of an unhappy aspect about it.
“We are going to feel the effects of his retirement a long time,“ the city manager said with a certainty.