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Local News

Most senior employee of Hastings DPS to retire

His name is Gary, but no one ever calls him that; he’s Sonny Hartman and he is “the Old Dog” of the Hastings Department of Public Services. After 37 plus years with the DPS the well liked and most senior employee will retire Jan. 3, 2017 and co-workers say he will be missed.

Starting as a general laborer in 1979, Sonny has done all kinds of jobs with the department, leading up to his position as mechanic at the DPS. He was presented the Employee Achievement Award for his work as mechanic in 2005 from the late Mayor Bob May.

 

“He’s the kind of guy who will have your back,” said his good friend and fellow employee Darin Dawes.  “I’d only been here eight years, but for some reason, we immediately clicked. He’s a great guy, and he definitely will be missed. We call him “the Old Dog” because he’s been here the longest.”

 

DPS Director Lee Hays said Sonny started with the City of Hastings in 1979 with the DPS as a general laborer. During that time Sonny worked in all phases of street construction.

“In 2000 he became the mechanic at the DPS garage, where he maintained all of the city equipment. Sonny has a wealth of knowledge of all city equipment and also the infrastructure,” Hays said.

Sonny and his wife Deb enjoy camping with their family. He’s an avid NASCAR fan, he and Deb travel to Bristol TN, MIS and other tracks to watch races. A “Mopar guy” he also likes working on his collection of antique cars and trucks.

 

“The City of Hastings would like to congratulate Sonny Hartman and thank him for his 37 plus years of service working at the Department of Public Services,” said Superintendent of Streets Jim James. “The crew at the city garage is going to miss working with him and wish him the best that life can bring.”

 

 

Photos: (top left) Gary “Sonny” Hartman and his wife Deb.

 

(lower left) Good weather or bad, hot or cold, Sonny Hartman worked to maintain Hastings infrastructure.

 

(middle right) Sonny Hartman poses with friend Darin Dawes at the wedding of the Hartman’s daughter “Britt” this summer. Son Ryan also married this year.

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