City Clerk Kathleen “Kathi” Kiley will retire after more than four decades serving the citizens of Marion.
In 1980, Kiley was appointed by then Clerk Mary Jane Holloway to serve as First Deputy. Her first job was at the old City Hall located at 2nd and Adams St., where the bus depot stands. In 1982, once construction of the current City Hall was completed, she hauled her paperwork and typewriter into her new office. Kiley, as a new mom, left briefly from ‘89−90. She then ran for City Clerk in ’91, was elected, and took office in ’92.
“I enjoyed being in the know of business in the city. I knew my job well and liked it well,” explained Kiley.
Looking back on 41 years of serving the community, Kiley said she doesn’t have regrets, but recalled the many sacrifices she made in her personal life when she would work evenings for City Council meetings. As an avid Beatles fan, Kiley quoted a famous John Lennon line, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” All in all, she said she looks back with pride in being a part of the community, making a difference. “It just shows that hard work pays off.”
Kiley looks forward to spending more time with her family, traveling back and forth to Virginia where some of them reside, traveling in general, and enjoying more time with friends. Kiley meets weekly with friends and her longtime co-worker, who became a close friend, Debra Goodman.
Goodman ran for Clerk unopposed, and will take office in January. Kiley plans to work on a part-time basis to help Goodman acclimate to her new role for a few months before she officially retires.
In the meantime, the public is invited to come to City Hall Council Chambers on December 20th, from 1 – 3pm, for an open-house style retirement party.
