June 24, 2024 |
Photo – Patrick Martinez – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Rawlins governing body voted to name the city’s new recycling center after the late landfill supervisor.
During last week’s Rawlins city council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey asked the city council to dedicate the newly constructed recycling center to Patrick Martinez and honor him with a plaque.
Martinez died from a sudden health emergency last December. Speaking to Bigfoot99 after Martinez’s death, Community Development Director Lou Lascano said Martinez began working for the city over 15 years ago, eventually making his way up to Landfill Superintendent. Lascano said Martinez was very skilled at operating the heavy equipment at the dump, especially his favorite piece of equipment: his bulldozer.
At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Sarvey read tributes to Martinez from the recycling center staff. Sarvey said Martinez worked to make the landfill better.
Sarvey said Martinez was known to use his signature catchphrase, “We may get fired for this,” when presenting an unconventional plan to improve services at the dump.
Sarvey said he intends to put the phrase on Martinez’s recycling center dedication plaque.
When the city was looking to construct a new recycling center, Martinez insisted that the landfill crew perform the work. Despite leading the project, Sarvey said Martinez did not participate in the construction. However, the city manager said the new facility would not exist without Martinez.
Sarvey said Martinez died before he could see the new recycling center completed. The city manager said staff wants to dedicate the building to the late landfill superintendent’s memory.
The Rawlins city council voted to name the newly constructed recycling center after Patrick Martinez. Sarvey said he will arrange a public dedication ceremony once the plaque is completed.
