Director of Planning, Engineering, and Development Gerry Antle retired today after over a decade with the City of Mount Pearl.
By Mark Squibb
Director of Planning, Engineering, and Development Gerry Antle was the man of the hour around the Mount Pearl council table this past Tuesday evening as council wished him a very happy retirement.
Antle is set to retire today (Friday, August 16) after more than a decade of employment with the City.
Of all the well wishes, perhaps the most poignant came courtesy of councillor Bill Antle, Gerry’s brother.
“One of us had to go,” joked Antle, who was always reluctant to serve on the same committee as his brother, until about a year ago when joined the engineering committee.
“Gerry was a real crybaby when I first met him,” joked Bill, the older of the two. “But it’s been a pleasure working with Gerry. When I was first elected seven years ago, I wondered how this relationship was going to work, and it worked out really well. I was impressed with Gerry’s professionalism. When we go into meetings, he would always call me ‘Councillor Antle.’ I really liked that; he can continue that.”
Antle said that Gerry left work at work, adding that’s the way it should be, and closed out by telling his brother that, despite his earlier comment, he can feel free to go back to calling him Billy.
Former committee member Isabell Fry praised Director Antle for his professionalism and service to the City over the years.
“He taught me everything I needed to know about infrastructure and public works, and I’m very proud to say that I do know what a quarter-inch minus is now” said Fry. “When I first got elected, there were so many things that I had to learn and to learn fast, and Director Antle was so professional and I think he knew that I was willing to learn, and he always explained everything in such a way that made sense to me, and that I was able to grasp.”
Fry wished Antle a happy, healthy, and enjoyable retirement, but added that she still had his phone number.
Councillor Jim Locke also served on the planning committee with Antle.
“When I served on committee, one of the first things he brought to committee was a snow clearing ‘level of service’ document,” said Locke. “And he said, ‘You tell me what level of service the City wants, and I can provide that.’ So, it was systematically laid out, so that if you wanted snow cleared six hours after the snow ended, or 12 hours after the snow ended or if you wanted it cleared 24 hours after the snow ended, he could tell you the cost for the gasoline, the fuel, the salt, human resources. And that was a great addition.”
Locke spoke more to Antle’s professional approach to the City’s affairs before bidding him a final farewell.
“The position will be filled, but you will never be replaced,” said Locke.
Mayor Dave Aker, and councillors Chelsea Lane and Mark Rice all spoke to Antle’s professionalism and wished him their very best. Planning committee member Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley was absent from the meeting.
“Your dedication to your city, the community you grew up in, is second to none,” said Aker. “Gerry, it’s been a real pleasure to work with you and I really appreciate, me personally as a member of council, the professional advice, the camaraderie, and some of the dark humour we’ve shared over the years.”
Antle himself took the floor for a few minutes before the close of the meeting.
“I’ve had a very rewarding public service career,” said Antle. “My career has been entirely in public service. It fits my value system.”
Antle emphasised that he started his career in Mount Pearl as a young engineering student doing work terms at the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing office and has now ended his career in Mount Pearl after 13 years at City Hall.
“To come back here to the city that I call home and complete my career, is so rewarding,” said Antle. “To have the opportunity to contribute to this great city, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Prior to returning to Mount Pearl, Antle worked both in Labrador and along the island’s west coast.
