The Mandeville City Council recognized Ervin Recer, who is leaving the city’s Civil Service Board after 27 years of service.

Former Police Chief Tom Buell and Interim Mayor Edward “Bubby” Lyons both had words to say, thanking Recer for his dedication and service.

Buell, who referred to him as a “dear, dear friend,” said Recer went above and beyond as a volunteer to help officers.

Mandeville Interim Mayor Edward “Bubby” Lyons reads from a proclamation honoring Ervin Recer for his 27 years of service on the city’s Civil Service Board. (Staff Photo by Suzanne Le Breton)

“He always availed himself to officers in the police department,” Buell said, pointing out that Recer would often spend hours working with officers to help them study for advancement tests.

Lyons presented Recer with a proclamation naming Nov. 20, 2009, as Ervin Recer Day in Mandeville.

Buell said Recer, who on Aug. 10, 1982, was sworn in as one of the first members of the newly established board for municipal police employees and municipal employees, was instrumental in developing the merit pay system now used by the city and served many years as a volunteer personnel director.

Recer said he was “really happy and enthusiastic to come in on the early stages of the establishment of a program for civil service in the city.”

“I expected to come have a good time and stay a year or so, but 27 years later I haven’t gotten over that,” he said.

Buell said Recer brought a lot to the table in the very beginning when he stepped forward to fill Jack McGuire’s place when he left the board to serve on the City Council.

Prior to his service in Mandeville, Recer served two years in the Air Force and worked as a special agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigations, where he was special agent in charge in Philadelphia and New Orleans before retiring

The council also recognized the winners in the Winter on the Water banner art contest. The artwork chose has been reproduced on banners, which will hang along Girod Street in Mandeville during the Christmas season.

A total of 324 entries were received from seven different schools.

The winning artwork was displayed at Thursday night’s meeting, and the winners were presented with certificates.

The following children were presented with certificates: Lucas Lawlor, second grade, Pontchartrain Elementary School; Jack Piwko, second grade, Mandeville Elementary School; Adam Moeller, fourth grade, Lake Harbor Middle School; Taylor Garcia, fourth grade, Our Lady of the Lake School; Hannah Long, fourth grade, Cedarwood School; Edivaldo Nsingui, fifth grade, Cedarwood School; Samantha Stenger, fifth grade, Mandeville Middle School; Kristin Krummel, sixth grade, Mandeville Middle School; Jacob Oliveri, sixth grade, Lake Harbor Middle School; and Anne Rapp, sixth grade, Mary Queen of Peace School.