Strong admiration and recognition for Denice Gerstenberg
By Barb Pert Templeton
When you’ve spent the better part of 30 years as a public servant in municipal government deciding to retire may sound amazing for you but it can prove challenging for those left to fill your shoes.
Such is the case in Algonac where City Manager Denice Gerstenberg announced her impending retirement in September with a plan to leave employment with the city at the end of November. Gerstenberg was hired in Algonac in 2017 and prior to that spent 26-years working for the City of Sterling Heights.
At the city council’s regular bi-monthly meeting on Nov. 18, Gerstenberg’s last meeting at the helm of the city, she was recognized by representatives from U.S. Rep Lisa McLain and State Rep. Jay DeBoyer’s offices and Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis. Senator Kevin Hertel also offered recognition to Gerstenberg at the city offices on Tuesday morning but was unable to attend the council meeting.
Mohammed Smidi, the district director for Congresswoman Lisa McClain, appeared at the meeting and present a congressional record to Gerstenberg.
Phil Kraft, a representative of State Rep. Jay DeBoyer, presented retiring City Manager Denice Gerstenberg with a proclamation at a Nov. 18 city council meeting.
“Recognizing the distinguished service of Denice Gerstenberg for her years of public service and beyond her professional and she will be remembered for her accomplishments Her integrity,
compassion and mentorship she cultivated collaboration at city hall,” Smidi stated as part of a longer statement.
Next up, Phil Kraft a representative of State Rep. Jay DeBoyer, presented Gerstenberg with a proclamation to congratulate her on her retirement and thanked her for all the help she’s provided to the city over the years.
Gillis also presented Gerstenberg with a proclamation on behalf of the city council. It noted her more than 30 years of service to local communities and her contributions and dedication to public service.
Gillis read a full statement into the record mentioning Gerstenberg’s “integrity, professionalism and compassion” and overall devotion to the community.
Council shares admiration
“I remember you saying the residents of Algonac deserve nice things and it’s our job to find it. You set us up for the pool, it took us extra-long, but we had to make it a nice pool, they deserve nice things. So, thank you for always making sure that we keep that in mind. Congratulations on your retirement.”
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis
Under council comments each official took time to thank Gerstenberg for her work on behalf of the city.
“Thanks, and congratulations to Mrs. Gerstenberg you’ve been an amazing mentor to many of us and we’re going to miss you,” Councilman Ed Carter said.
“Good luck to Denice and thank you for your years of service that you’ve given to Algonac, thank you very much,” Councilwoman Cathy Harris added.
“Congratulations Denice, three decades it’s very impressive and thank you for the service you’ve done in our city,” Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum said.
Councilman Jake Skarbek said he wanted to take a minute and go down memory lane noting Gerstenberg’s time with the city. He noted that the city had picnic tables chained to trees in the city park, there was no art anywhere, the whole boardwalk looked awful and there was exposed electrical wires there. The skatepark was blue and dilapidated and the area where the pool is now was just all weeds.
“And now it’s all cleaned up,” Skarbek said. “Many projects have happened in the last couple years, so from where we started to where we are you put us on an incredible path and I really want to thank you for that.”
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis presented a proclamation of appreciation to retiring City Manager Denice Gerstenbert.
Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey also took a few moments to thank Gerstenberg for her tenure with the city.
“You helped make it to the point where everything looks so nice in this city now, more welcoming than it did before you came here,” Davey said. “Thank you for everything we really appreciate it.”
Mayor Rocky Gillis said he recalled the first time Gerstenberg saw the backside of the Lions Field and she asked him what it was.
“I said that’s just the back entrance and she said ‘it looks like I’m going into a toxic waste dump,” Gillis recalled. “So, if you want to talk about the person who had a lot of rusty fences removed from this town, all the rusty fences at Lions Field and all of them at Smiths Field, she’s going to win.”
He went on to say she’s done a wonderful job including making the city’s pool project possible.
“I remember you saying the residents of Algonac deserve nice things and it’s our job to find it,” Gillis said. “You set us up for the pool, it took us extra-long, but we had to make it a nice pool, they deserve nice things so thank you for always making sure that we keep that in mind. Congratulations on your retirement.” Councilman Michael Bembas was absent from the Nov. 18 Algonac council meeting.
