Farewell Party for Matthew Thompson

Note: This story was updated on Thursday, May 3. The farewell party is moved to Recreation Park due to the rainy weather.

the popular supervisor credited with a will be be feted Thursday as he retires after 26 years of service.

A farewell party is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and moved to under a covered shelter due to the rain. Community members are invited to stop by and wish him well.

"He is such a team player -- and so committed, not only to this department, but to the whole city as well," said Healdsburg Recreation Manager Sonja Drown, who worked with Thompson for 6 1/2 years. "He's an incredible asset, and he will be missed."

Thompson, 55, whose title was parks manager, was one of the key city staff members on the that led to enhancements at as well being a facilitator for the citizens' committee that completed the recent renovations at

"It's all about the people and connections on a daily basis with the community," Thompson said Thursday, adding he and wife would be staying in Healdsburg while also spending time at a cabin they have built in the Siskiyou Mountains.

 "Helping people volunteer and do projects, helping people make this a better place -- that's what I will miss the most," he said.

"Healdsburg is an amazing place to live and work -- I'm truly blessed to be here," he added. "What stands out is the connection with people."

Thompson said he was born in the East Bay and moved to Portland, Ore. as a child. He returned from Oregon to California in 1980, relocating in Healdsburg.

Thompson said he was hired by the City of Healdsburg in 1986 after a stint with a Windsor-based youth environmental and vocational training organization called Circuit Riders Production (now The Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship).

Besides his extensive work with Giorgi and Recreation parks, Thompson's projects have ranged from rehabbing to to Barbieri Park. He has also worked with other natural-area-related groups, such as the

"One of the things that has impressed me about Matthew is that he has a really easy demeanor with people," said City Manager Marjie Pettus.

"It's easy for someone to gain the knowledge of the trade and technical aspects of the job -- those can be taught," Pettus said. "The 'people skills' cannot."

Pettus said Thompson created a feeling of trust and reliability in his interactions within the city staff and in the community.

"He's always been real; I felt comfortable talking to him," she said. "He knows everyone in town, and his skill in relationships is a real gift."

According to an article in the Jaime Licea will take over Thompson's spot as parks supervisor on Friday.