Retiring City Manager Patti McLauchlin, at a recent city Commission meeting, presented retiring Human Resources Director Samantha Farist a plaque, thanking her for 11 years of dedicated service.
McLauchlin noted that, under her guidance, wellness has come front and center for City staffers.
“Samantha was shames in her efforts to raise funds for worthy causes,” she said. “She was especially focused on the annual suicide prevention campaigns.”
McLauchlin thanked Farist for her tireless efforts through recovery from Hurricane Irma in 2017, noting that she put employees first, working many days before she even went home to see how her Big Pine Key home fared at the epicenter of the destruction.
“In her office, she had an endless supply of chocolate and tissues,” said McLauchlin, “which many employees will recall from counseling sessions. Most of which ended in ‘Bless your heart.’”
Farist is also beloved for pulling together celebrations for a myriad of holidays, but she is best known for her dogged support of the Georgia Bulldogs.
“I’d like to tell the commission,” said a tearful Farist, “you have an awesome group of 400 plus employees here.”
She gave shouts out to each of her three staffers, noting the amazing job they do or supporting City staff and finding new ones. She thanked her family for their years of support.
“My final statement,” said Farist, “is GO DOGS!”