Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Portales Fire Department Administrative Secretary Brenda Fenton, center, poses for a photo with Mayor Sharon King and Fire Chief Gary Nuckols at the Portales City Council meeting Tuesday night in the Memorial Building. Fenton, who has worked with the PFD for 46 1/2 years, received a proclamation recognizing her long record of service.
PORTALES — Retiring after 46 1/2 years with the Portales Fire Department, Administrative Secretary Brenda Fenton was recognized by peers at Tuesday night's Portales City Council meeting as a boon to the department and a blessing to coworkers.
"I'm going to use one of her favorite words: Expectations," Fire Chief Gary Nuckols said, following a mayoral proclamation recognizing her service. "That's still one of her favorite words today. I knew right away she had high expectations for me," he said. "It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with Brenda. I know she's seen a lot of people come and go. I think I'm the eighth fire chief she's worked with. I wouldn't trade my time with Brenda for anybody else."
Nuckols noted Fenton's definition of the term "recycling" didn't always match his.
"What I used to consider hoarding or keeping junk," he said, "the politically correct term was recycling or repurposing - everything from envelopes of all sizes, to paper clips, to used staples. She has a glass jar of used staples."
Battalion Chief T.J. Cathey praised Fenton for the passion with which she performed her duties.
"Brenda's definitely the heart and soul of the Portales Fire Department. Her desire to provide a quality of service to our community is unlike anything that I've seen in any other service, and she's an inspiration in that, to all of us younger guys that have grown up in the department, and we're gonna miss you," said Cathey.
Mayor Sharon King expressed awe at Fenton's job performance and longetivity.
"There really are no words to tell you how meaningful it is to all of us that you've been with the city for 46 1/2 years. That really is just amazing. I've never heard anything but wonderful praises of you and your work," she said.
Fenton returned the gratitude in kind, acknowledging those who have been present in her journey.
"I would just like to say thanks to all of the many city employees that have worked with me along the way, that have taught me things," Fenton said. "Who would I be without the city? Honestly, when you think of 46 1/2 years, that is your life. I don't know anything else, and I've learned everything I know from the people I've worked with."
