Mundrick Gave 20 Years to Duluth

Retiring Post 4 Duluth City Councilman Doug Mundrick thought there would probably just be cookies and punch served at the farewell reception after his last official council meeting.

The longtime councilman did not run for re-election in November because he and his family are moving from Duluth to a 20-acre horse farm near Madison, GA, in the new year. He’s looking forward to spending more time with wife Sandy and daughters Kim and Kelley as they are him. He’s missed many important family occasions because of city business.

He is keeping his job as chief of the Water Programs Enforcement Branch of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. His wife plans to continue working as a RN at the Glancy Center in Duluth.

Of course, his family was there for his final council meeting Monday along with his in-laws Bill and Virginia Carlisle from Pittsburgh.

Well, was Mundrick in for a surprise. Yes, there was the usual cookies-and-punch reception attended by the mayor, council members and city staff beforehand in the Duluth City Hall lobby. At the council meeting, Mayor Nancy Harris read a lengthy proclamation expressing appreciation for his contributions to the city.

Mundrick served as a member of the Duluth Zoning Board of Appeals for four years and then as a city councilman for 16 years. His service will total of 20 years when his term expires in early January.

The mayor declared Dec. 12 as Doug Mundrick Day and presented him with a framed copy of the proclamation and an engraved flame-shaped sculpture, too.

There were a lot of cars parked outside Duluth City Hall and more than the normal number of folks sitting in City Council Chambers. The familiar faces included Gwinnett County Commissioner Shirley Lasseter, the first Duluth mayor Mundrick served under, and former city council members Jim Hall, Doris Kirouac, Maxine Garner, Rod King, and Bob Peterson. Also in attendance was Paul Radford, deputy director of the Georgia Municipal Association Division of External Affairs.

A slide show of special moments captured in photos of Mundrick's time as a councilman was replayed on the screen behind the council. When the meeting concluded, everyone retired to the Community Room downstairs for the farewell reception to find that city staff had prepared a multi-course tribute dinner for Mundrick.

And for dessert, there were cookies along with cupcakes and a huge cake inscribed “Duluth Matters,” Mundrick’s campaign slogan when he ran for city council in 1994. He took office in 1995. The rest of the message on the cake was “Way to go Doug! Congratulations!”

After dinner visiting dignitaries and former city officials related their experiences with Mundrick over the years.

Duluth City Administrator Phil McLemore said Mundrick embraced Duluth as his home after moving from New Jersey and became involved in the community. McLemore, who is retiring after 15 years as Duluth city administrator at the end of January, said he often bounced ideas off Mundrick. “He listened and was objective and honest.” McLemore emphasized: “In all my years of service, I’ve not seen anyone more dedicated and loyal to the community.”

Radford described Mundrick as “a person committed to life-long learning” who completed 210 hours of training at the Georgia Municipal Institute. Mundrick assumed leadership roles and provided negotiating skills on significant issues, Radford said.

Mundrick served as Gwinnett Municipal Association president in 1999.

Lasseter referred to Mundrick as her “best devil’s advocate” when she was Duluth mayor. “Doug and I didn’t always agree, but we had a healthy relationship,” she said. “Doug always thought things through.”

“You truly had your heart in the city, and the city reaped the benefits,” she turned and told Mundrick.

“We had our disagreements, but we walked out with a smile on our faces,” Lasseter added.

Mundrick has been active with the Duluth Fall Festival continually since 1995, according to Kathryn Willis, festival founder and 2012 chairman. He co-chaired the festival in 2001 with Willis’ daughter Kay Montgomery. It was challenging because it was the first year the DFF was staged on the new Duluth Town Green, and a new layout had to be developed for the festival, Willis said.

“All of us with the Duluth Fall Festival really appreciate all you’ve contributed, and we will really miss you. You have to come back next year for the 30th anniversary festival,” she said.

Mundrick’s daughter Kim read a congratulatory letter from his sister Gail, who was not present at the dinner.

Harris, who has served her first four-year term as mayor with Mundrick on the council, commented: “I’m really going to be nervous about his not being on my left side.” Mundrick has been “an exceptional council member,” and his knowledge of history and issues has been invaluable, she said.

And there were more gifts. Harris presented him with a Duluth puzzle and a painting of the Duluth City Hall and City Fountain from the city staff for his new home.

Duluth is a wonderful place to live, Mundrick said. “While we’re moving on, our hearts and a big part of our lives are here.” He thanked his family for putting up with his “passion for Duluth.”