Mayor honors 35-year public works employee in Monday segment

Mayor Dylan Romrell recognized Richard Gray on Monday for 35 years of service with the City of St. Augustine Beach public works department.

Romrell introduced Gray during the city's "Monday with the Mayor" segment and asked him about his background. Gray said he began as a volunteer firefighter in Lansing and later was hired to drive a new recycling truck. He described moving from recycling to trash operations and eventually being promoted to sanitation foreman, a role he said he has held for many years.

Gray told the mayor the city has seen a lot of growth during his tenure, including more subdivisions and many people moving into the area. He said the public works department has acquired larger equipment over the years, including larger trucks and a bucket truck used for trimming roadways. Gray said he routinely communicates with the public and handles trouble calls to address issues before they escalate to the department director.

Romrell thanked Gray for his dedication and service and closed the segment by noting Gray would appear again on a future edition of "Monday with the Mayor."