City Employee Says Goodbye After 22 Years: "It's Just Been A Good Place To Work"

Thursday, February 2nd, 2023

"I do like to be busy."

Those were Dalton payroll administrator Vickie Swinney's words when telling the story of how she ended up working for the City of Dalton after a career in banking. After a bank merger in 2000 led her to a job search, Swinney first tried a different job that didn't keep her busy enough. Then a job with the City opened up and the rest, as they say, is history. On Friday, she will retire after more than 22 years of service to the City of Dalton. On Thursday afternoon, she was honored with a reception at City Hall. 

Caption: Vickie Swinney poses for a picture during her retirement celebration on Thursday at City Hall

"We've been so lucky to have her over the years," City HR director Greg Batts said during the reception. "I would just like to say thank you from all of us and we truly hope you have a joyful and wonderful retirement." 

Before the ceremony, Vickie talked about her time with the City of Dalton:

Before you came to work for the City, were you working in Human Resources? 

"No, I was in banking. I thought that banking would be my main career of my life, because I was in banking for more than 22 years too. But then I took some time off, my job ended with a bank merger so I took some time off to decide if I wanted to do something different. So I did this one other job just for a few months, but it wasn’t what I really wanted. I wasn’t very busy and I’m used to being busy. So I saw a job opening with the city, so I called a friend who worked here and she referred me to Buddy Bishop. Buddy called me in for an interview and offered the job to me that day, and I said let me think about it. And I know Reece (Carroll) who worked at Public Works, and asked him if he liked working for the city and he said yes, so I ended up accepting the job in October 2000 and I’ve been here ever since." 

When you started, were you here at City Hall?

"No, I was at Public Works. I started at their reception desk. I did a few things there, I did some postings and stuff. And then when someone left City Hall they announced that they needed to know if anyone had experience for that job so I was recommended for that and I didn’t know if I wanted to leave Public Works. But I came over here and did started working with accounts payable in the Finance Department in 2002. And then we moved over here to the new City Hall in 2004 and shortly thereafter, the woman who was doing payroll left and so they asked me if I would do it, and I have been doing it ever since."

Caption: The Human Resources Department staff pose together during Vickie's retirement celebration (from L to R, HR generalist Haliyma Jones, HR coordinator Valerie Brock, payroll administrator Vickie Swinney, HR director Greg Batts)

Well, you did say that you like to be busy.

'Busy, yes, but not overwhelmed!" (laughs)

Be careful what you wish for, right?

(laughs) "That's right. But I do like to be busy." 

What has been the best part about working for the City?

"It’s always a challenge. You always have something, it’s not just a mundane job, there’s always something to challenge you. And the friendships I’ve made here... it’s just been a good place to work."

Did you ever think you'd be here 22 years?

"No I didn’t. I thought banking was my main career, I thought that was what I was going to do I would tell people all my life but I’ve ended up being here as long or maybe a little bit longer."

Did you grow up here in Dalton?

"I did, I went to the city schools, I graduated from Dalton High and went to Dalton State College. Went for an interview for the first time at the bank just for the interview experience, and they ended up hiring me so then I was in banking for over 22 years"

So you're still going to be in the area, what are your plans for retirement? Do you have anything fun planned?

"No, just to be able to go whenever someone says go. I’ve got a granddaughter who is 2 years old, she was 2 years old in August. So I’ll be helping them with her, picking her up at day care or whatever I need to do and getting to do more grandmother stuff. Travel, and whatever we can do."

Caption: Vickie Swinney points out some pictures from her career to city administrator Andrew Parker (left)

Are you looking forward to not setting an alarm on Monday?

"Oh yes, but my body clock will wake me up probably. I’m used to getting up at about 5 every morning, even on the weekends I’m up by about 6 or 7. The latest I could ever sleep was 8, but now I’ve got the option that I can go back to bed if I want to." 

So as you look back, is there anything else you'd like to say about your time here?

"Just that I’ve enjoyed working with everybody. Over the years, I’ve seen people come and go and I’ve made some good friendships through the accounts payable part and also the payroll part. And I made lots of friends at Public Works."