First the City designated a day for Art Pappas, now they want to name a building after him.
The City Council voted unanimously to create a committee to name city hall after Pappas, former city manager, clerk, and treasurer, for his long-time service to the community.
‘I think the reason for naming the building after Art is appropriate because this is where he worked,? said Mayor Steve Arkwright. ‘This is where he did it. It may not be glamorous, but it’s home.?
Arkwright noted there would be no use of public funding, and everything would be done through private donation.
City Manager Dennis Ritter, Councilman Thomas Hunter, former Mayor Sharron Catallo, Kevin Harrison, and Dr. Doug Roeser were named to the committee.
‘The whole the purpose is to recognize the huge contribution Art has given to the city the last 46 years,? Ritter said. ‘We don’t want that to go unnoticed.?
‘Art’s contributions to the village are immeasurable,? Hunter agreed.
Pappas retired from the city on June, 30, 2008, at age 74. He began his long tenure with Clarkston when he was appointed village clerk, at the time a part-time elected position, in 1962. In 1972, he switched to the treasurer’s hat, also a part-time elected position, and held the title until 1988 when he retired from his teaching career.
Pappas taught business at Clarkston High School from 1959-1966. His career also included time in Oxford and Walled Lake classrooms, at North Oakland Vocational Center and Oakland Community College. He retired in June 1988, and by October he was working full-time as Clarkston’s manager and treasurer.
Ritter who met with the other committee members on Monday said he hopes to give an update to both the council and community in the next couple weeks.
‘This was a one time only opportunity for the city council because there will only be one person who deserves such an honor,? Catallo said. ‘Only one who made sure this community would be the kind of place people wanted to live, raise their families and call Clarkston home. Art’s years spent in the Village’s government were many, but he never lost sight of who he was working for, the community and what was good for everyone.?