City Employees Recognized for Years of Service

Retiring Manassas City employees were recognized at Monday night's regularly scheduled council meeting.

Lucille Potter was awarded and recognized for her 27 years of service to the City's Family Services department. Mayor Harry J. Parrish read the resolution and Director of Family Services Ron King presented Potter with an honorary plaque.

Potter began her career with the city's Department of Social Services in 1983 as a casework aide, according to city documents. She later assumed her current position as a customer service representative in 1996.

Potter participated in the 'Un-Trim-A-Tree' and 'Shop with a Cop' programs, which help provide needy families with  Christmas gifts.

It was also  noted that Potter participated in SERVE's  'Operation Turkey' for many years, which provides elligible families with a Thanksgiving meal.

Potter also served as  the United Way Coordinator for Family Services since 1984, often achieving the 100% participation goal. She was also widely appreciated for her for her work as a liaison representative to various boards and committees such as the City's Safety Committee, School Health Advisory Board and the City Times Newsletter.

Most importantly, Potter has been a strong and consistent advocate for the poor and needy residents in the city.

City Attorney Robert W. Bendall was also recognized for his 35 years of service to Monday night.  Bendall began serving as assistant attorney in 1976 and became city attorney in 1988.

He is one of the longest-serving municipal attorneys in Virginia and is noted for being the first attorney for the city's school system, assisting in its creation, city documents state. 

Bendall was also instrumental in bringing and keeping business in the city and "seeking creative solutions to utility issues and tax rates."

Fellow City Attorney Martin Crim, who worked with Bendall for 19 years,  spoke to the generosity and dedication of his colleague and credited Bendall for his own success as an attorney. Crim said he benefited from Bendall's insight from his years of experience and dedication to his duty.

City Manager Lawrence D. Hughes referred to Bendall as a "great champion of the city."