VIDEO: As reported last week, Department of Public Works Director John Franklin will soon be retiring and replaced with current superintendent Al Burdge. With just two weeks left at the Public Works, TLS met with John this morning-in his office covered with awards, plaques and photos- to talk about his over 15 year career as Director. “I’m gonna miss this job” he says. “It’s
quite a town to work with” says Mr. Franklin. “How do you walk away from this-you come in one day and close the door, go on?” “But it’s been a heck of a run!” he says.
John, who has spent his prior years in the construction business, says, “I feel accomplished and happy”. “My wife was really good to me”. “She’s a great partner”.
Asking what he plans on doing when he retires, and if he plans on spending some time in Florida or the likes, John’s response was, “I really don’t know what it means!” “I’ve been working all my life!”. “The first thing my wife wants me to do is organize the garage though!” he says.
As for Florida, “I was never a big vacationer!” he says.
Mr. Franklin will be retiring at his Lakewood home on July 1st.
This past Friday evening, a goodbye dinner arranged by friends and colleagues was held at Woodlake Country Club for John’s family and friends.
John, on behalf of all the readers and staff at TLS, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your wonderful years of service to the community, and we wish you luck in all your future endeavors.
I hope john will now be calling the dpw a hundred times a day to complain if his street isn’t plowed. Give it a try john you’ll see how much fun it really can be!
Thanks for you many years of dedicated and devoted work for our town. Best wishes for a healthy, relaxing and enjoyable retirement.
It’s “gonna” not “gunna,” please use correct spelling.
classy mentch !!!
gunna
I heard Bob Singer is already working on building an entirley new Public works in order to name at after the new incoming director 🙁
John,
Thanks for all the hard work and all your years of service in various positions! The new young crowd in Lakewood doesn’t know the half of it!
#6 grow up and get yourself a life. John I have been in Lakewood for 40 years and have seen all that you have done for our town. There deffinitely were some rough spots along the way but at the end especially during the past 15 years you have served the town admirably . I AM SORRY TO SEE YOU RETIRE.. If you get too bored why not hop on to a garbage truck or a snow plow just for the fun of it.
thanks for the service.
John you deserve a good retirement after all your hard work….. lets hope those that follow can fill your shoes in a real way…
no idea why my message was altered…john franklin being a former MARINE understands what “Semper Fi” means