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He started his work for the City of Covington as a draftsman in 1964 earning $33 a week. Tuesday night, Ken Shirley ended his 46 year career in the code enforcement department when his retirement was accepted by the city commission. "Ken was one of the faces of the city to the people," Police Chief Lee Russo said. "He's been a one-man partner between code enforcement and the police department. Ken will be missed by every one of us." Russo jokingly pointed out that he was just 1-year old when Shirley was hired at the city.
Another coworker joked that he hoped that Shirley would be involved in Covington's bicentennial committee which is making plans for the city's two-hundredth birthday in 2015. The employee joked that Shirley was very helpful during the city's centennial celebration in 1915.
"I loved this city all my life," Shirley said. He and his wife Elaine live in Levassor Park. Between Ken, Elaine and their daughter, the Shirleys have worked for Covington for 78 years. "I've been through six mayors, thirty-four commissioners, six city managers, and nine department heads," Shirley said.
He also rattled off some more frightening statistics from his duties as a code enforcement officer. Shot at three times. Five death threats. Three wrecks involving city vehicles. He has had his home vandalized, his personal car stolen and he has attended the funerals of twenty-seven coworkers.
His final act came today when he wrote a parking ticket to City Manager Larry Klein who proudly held it up inside commission chambers at City Hall.
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