12-22-10 —     Calling it a job that he has enjoyed tremendously, Monticello Mayor Kenneth Catron bid farewell to the office that he has held for 21 years during his final city council meeting on Monday night.

    "I would like to say that is has been an honor to serve as a councilman and as Mayor of Monticello," said Catron, as Monday night's meeting neared a conclusion.

    Catron was the first full-time mayor elected in Monticello and his administration has enjoyed many accomplishments over the years. Among those was the successful recruitment of the first houseboat manufacturer, which paved the way for many others to locate here.

    During his second year in office, a new water plant and a new sewer plant were constructed in Monticello.

    He also served during the time when this area was part of the Empowerment Zone designation and many jobs were created.

    "We helped create hundreds of new jobs for the people, which in turn means a better quality of life for everybody," said Catron.

    During his tenure, the city has enlarged its border through annexation, has grown into a new police station and has revitalized the downtown area.

    But Catron noted perhaps the greatest joy in his career has been working with the people of Monticello.

    "They are good people," he said.

    Catron quoted one of his favorite verses from the Bible, "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

    "This was our time and we made a difference," he stated.

    Councilman Jeffrey Edwards, who will become mayor in January, presented a plaque to Catron during the meeting, noting his service to the city.

    Catron made similar presentations to Councilmen Paul Bates and Scott Flynn, who will not be back for another term. Bates has served six years on the council, while Flynn has served three years.

    Looking ahead to the new year, council members did discuss the city's curfew ordinance during Monday's meeting. John Piercy, who resides on Shrewsberry Street, attended the session on behalf of residents in that area who have been burglarized and vandalized.

    Piercy said it is a growing problem and he has been told that only one officer is on duty at night in the city. He asked if the council has any plans to address this growing problem.

    Edwards said that the council needs to look at the curfew ordinance to see if it contains what it needs and he said that its enforcement needs to be stepped up.

    Councilman Phillip Duncan said that the complaints about vandalism and other problems have increased over the past six months and he would like to see the council take some steps to help solve the problem.