Curt and Cara Catallo said they have always been proud of their mother, Sharron Catallo. Stepping down after 23 years of service, they’re prouder than ever.
‘I’m in awe of her dedication to Clarkston,” Cara said. “I can only think of how proud my dad would be, that she’s served the community for as long and steadfastly as she has.?
Her father, Clarence Catallo, died in 1998.
‘I think people get into politics for a lot of different reasons, but she was mayor for the right reasons,” Curt said. “She really cares so much for the City of Clarkston and the preservation of what makes this a unique place.”
The mayor announced her retirement to fellow council members, Aug. 11.
‘It may just be for a short amount of time because I still like the job, I just have some responsibilities I have to take care of,? she said. ‘Or maybe I’ve taken a cue from Art Pappas (former city manager, clerk, and treasurer).
Sharron said Clarkston has the ‘best support personnel that any place could,? including police, Department of Public Works, city attorney, engineer, and city hall’s Administrative Assistant Marcy Rotondo.
‘Now that Art is gone, we have Dennis Ritter (city manager) and Jan Gillespie (clerk-treasurer) and things are moving along pretty well,? Sharron said.
Friend and council member Kristy Ottman admires Catallo for her humility.
‘She is so humble and had done so much that our community has no idea how much she and her family have contributed,? said Ottman.
Curt said his mother never told people she was the mayor, but just did the job because she cared.
‘I think it’s good to have a mayor where you can walk up and knock on her door or give her a call and I think that’s part of what makes Clarkston more unique,? he said.
“I’m particularly proud of the example she has set for the next generation,” Cara said. “She’s Clarkston’s most accomplished mayor.?
Pappas believes Sharron is ‘Clarkston’s longest serving mayor.?
‘She’s very dedicated to the city and she worked hard to keep things going along well in the historic district,? he said. ‘I’m very fond of her personally and I consider myself a good friend of hers and I think she’s done a great job for the years that she’s been in here.?
Sharron was born in Detroit and married Clarence in 1965. She and Clarence moved to the Village of Clarkston in 1980. Sharron joined the village council in 1985, served as village president from 1987-1992, then became mayor in 1992 when the village became a city.
‘This has been an opportunity that’s hard to describe, this community has given me a lot and I hope they know how much I value that,? said Sharron. ‘I hope I’ve been able to give back to them in a way of comfort in knowing that this is their community to enjoy, and it takes a village to raise a mayor.?
Incumbents Ottman, Mike Gawronski, and Chuck Inabnit filed for re-election, and Steve Arkwright filed his petition for mayor. ‘Write in? candidates must file by 4 p.m. on Oct. 24.