By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The city of Clanton recognized Mickey Sansom and Ricky Patterson for their years of service during a retirement reception on May 31.

Sansom has worked for the city of Clanton for the past 34 years. He started work in the water department right after high school.

“I’ve been in just about every department in those 34 years,” Sansom said.

He completed his career where it started, in the water department. The department allowed him to learn something new every day and meet new people, Sansom said.

“It’s very inspiring because you find out how water lines are run, the different sizes of water lines,” Sansom said.

He also enjoyed his time as a limb operator, using the machinery to pick up limbs and debris.

“I enjoyed operating machinery,” Sansom said.

Including a summer job he had prior to going full-time with the city, Sansom has worked under three mayors.

Working for the city has been a popular choice for the Sansom family, Mickey Sansom’s father and three brothers have also worked for the city.

“I had my dad and two brothers to retire from the city,” Sansom said.

He said he was thankful for the opportunity to work for the city for so long.

Although he is retiring from full-time employment, Sansom plans to have a part-time job. He also hopes to spend more time with his wife and travel with her to new parts of the United States during his retirement.

Patterson has worked for the city for the past 18 years.

“I love working for the city. You meet a lot of people and all of the people are great around the city of Clanton,” Patterson said.

He began in the maintenance department and later transferred to the street department. His brother retired from the street department.

Patterson said he had worked in construction for 22 years, but health concerns prompted him to consider a new career. His brother helped him get a job working for the city.

Patterson has been the supervisor of the department for the past 10 years.  He said the department works with all the other departments of the city whenever they need help.

He said he enjoyed seeing the city grow.

Both retiring employees plan to continue to live in the area.