Friends, family and co-workers gathered at Pauls Valley’s City Hall Tuesday to celebrate the retirement of Pauls Valley Street and Sanitation Supervisor Hershel Dobbins. To commemorate Dobbins’ 45-years of service to the city, City Manager Joe Livingston presented him with a Smith and Wesson revolver in a wooden case.
Dobbins said his employment with the city started with a part-time stint as dog catcher while he was still in high school. After graduating in 1980, Dobbins said he went to work in the city’s shop as a mechanic, where he worked for six years before moving over to the street department as a heavy equipment operator. In 1997, he became the street supervisor, and by 2007 he was serving as supervisor of both the street and sanitation departments.
During his time with the city Dobbins has had the opportunity to help build and maintain many of the structures and attractions that have become integral parts of Pauls Valley’s infrastructure, culture and identity.
He helped to build the foundation for the current water plant when it was constructed 16 years ago. He was involved in completing the dirt work for the construction of the Pauls Valley Waterpark and helped with the construction of the Santa Fe Depot Park at the corner of Santa Fe Street and Grant Avenue.
He helped place barricades out for the first Okie Noodling Tournament at Bob’s Pig Shop and was part of the crew that helped clear land for the “new” Longmire Lake, which was completed in 1985-86.
After nearly 40 years of working in Pauls Valley’s street department, Dobbins has also gained a unique expertise in maintaining the city’s iconic brick streets.
“They are definitely a challenge to maintain, but I do like them,” Dobbins said. “They’re part of our history.”
He has seen 10 city managers come and go during his 45-year employment with the city, each with a different style and different way of operating.
“You just have to make adjustments and move forward,” Dobbins said. “You just have to go with the flow.”
As his employment with the city draws to a close, Dobbins said he plans to spend more time working on his ranch with his cattle. He said he will also be available to assist when needed as the city transitions to new supervisors in the street and sanitation departments.
