By Amy Moore

The News staff writer

PORT NECHES — Mayor Glenn Johnson joked Thursday that Port Neches is getting rid of surplus equipment in the retirement of City Manager Randy Kimler.

At Thursday’s city council meeting, after approving the sale of outdated city equipment, Johnson followed that line of thought and noted that the meeting was Kimler’s last before his retirement.

“I want to thank you for all you’ve done for the city of Port Neches in the past eleven years,” Johnson said. “From organizational adjustments to burying milions of dollars in the ground with sewer, drainage and pipeline repairs to street repairs — we appreciate everything you’ve done.”

Kimler, who does not like to put himself in the limelight, sat and blushed as the council and city staff gave him a standing ovation for his work in the city.

Kimler began working for Port Neches in March of 1997. He assumed his duties after serving 17 years as the Groves City Manager.

He will officially retire May 31. Johnson said Kimler shouldn’t expect to slack off on his duties until that date.

“We’re going to work you all the way to May 31,” the mayor said with a laugh.

A native of Nederland, Kimler graduated from Lamar University in 1968 with a major in government. Upon graduation, Kimler’s student draft deferment expired, so he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.

He returned from Southeast Asia to earn his master’s degree in public administration from Lamar University in 1977.

A reception will be held in Kimler’s honor from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at the Wright Building.

Contact this reporter at amoore@panews.com or 721-2428.