WR Council celebrates Chairman Stalnaker’s 50 years of service

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Houston County was founded in 1821. Last year, the county’s government celebrated on multiple occasions, marking the county’s 200th birthday. In 200 years, the county has changed from a land of natural woods and streams, to the development of three municipalities and several unincorporated areas, all containing more than 150,000 people who live, work, play and attend school here.

Chairman Tommy Stalnaker of the Houston County Commissioners, having worked for county and city government in one way or another for the past 50 years, has served this county for a quarter of its lifetime. The City of Warner Robins celebrated Stalnaker Monday, and honored him before his retirement at the turn of the year.

Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick stood at the podium alongside the chairman and presented him with a proclamation, on behalf of the Warner Robins’ current and former council members and mayors who have had the opportunity to work with Stalnaker.

Patrick read the proclamation as follows:

“Whereas Tommy Stalnaker entered the world on November 4th, 1949, in Perry, Georgia, and grew up on the corner of Moody Road and Russell Parkway, on the Stalnaker’s farm,” Patrick read. “Tommy’s father worked for the City of Warner Robins, and he aspired at a very young age to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“Whereas Tommy Stalnaker attended Warner Robins High School, where he was very active in various sports and recreation activities — after graduating from Warner Robins High School in 1968, in pursuit of higher education, Tommy Stalnaker enrolled into Georgia Southern College in Statesboro, Georgia, where he earned a degree in recreation in 1972.

“Whereas, the Houston County Board of Commissioners, which the now Sheriff Cullen Talton, hired Tommy Stalnaker to work for the Houston County Recreation Department.

“Whereas on March 4, 1987, the City of Warner Robins and the Houston County Board of Commissioners entered into a intergovernmental agreement to combine recreational services. On May 19, 1987, Tommy Stalnaker was appointed as a Recreation Director for the City of Warner Robins as a service exchange employee.

“Whereas Tommy Stalnaker worked as a contract employee for the City of Warner Robins for approximately four years, where his duties included coaching, organizing all recreational sports teams and activities and supervising all recreational staff.

“Whereas Tommy Stalnaker continued his career with local government with the Houston County government and has maintained a distinguished career of service for 50 years.

“Now therefore, I, LaRhonda W. Patrick, Mayor of Warner Robins Georgia, do hereby proclaim December 5, 2022, as Tommy Stalnaker Day in the City of Warner Robins. Each year, on the anniversary of this day, I charge every elected official, staff member and citizen to do a charitable act of service in our community.”

Patrick congratulated the chairman and presented him with his proclamation. Stalnaker was met with applause. This, however, was not the end of the city’s honors to the chairman.

Patrick continued, presenting Stalnaker with an Award of Special Recognition from the current mayor and council. Patrick remarked on one of her first interactions with Stalnaker as a public figure, shortly after she won her election for Warner Robins’ Mayor, noting that he was the first phone call she received after the announcement.

“[Stalnaker] is the epitome of excellence,” Patrick said. “That’s what you are to me, that’s what you are to our entire community, the epitome of excellence.

“You demand excellence from everyone who comes near you, and that really does show your impact will last generations. Thank you so much for what you’ve done for the City of Warner Robins as a whole, to Houston County as a whole.”

Each of the councilmen took a moment to address the chairman as well, each one shaking his hand. Many of them remarked on similar stories to Patrick’s — phone calls just after, or sometimes even before, election results were called. They thanked him for taking their calls, providing leadership, sharing knowledge and maintaining strong leadership for the county.

After each member of council spoke, Stalnaker took the opportunity himself.

“What makes me so proud is to have the relationships we have in this county,” Stalnaker said. “Regardless of what side of the fence you’re on, there’s good relationships. Whatever government you work with, there’s good relationships. We have made great strides because of that, and it’s because of you people that are dedicating their life to serving other people.

“I’ve tried to do the same thing. It’s very humbling to me when I hear people say what they’ve said tonight and all, I’m not really sure I deserve those kinds of accolades though to be quite honest with you, because it’s the people. It’s because of the people, and we stand on someone else’s shoulders in everything we do, each and every day. We need to always remember that.”

Finally, interim City Administrator James Dodson addressed the chairman, having worked with him from 1972 to 1989, and thanked him for his leadership, mentorship and friendship.

Tommy Stalnaker will serve as the Chairman of the Houston County Commissioners for the remainder of December. With the New Year, he will turn over his seat to Chairman Elect Dan Perdue, who was formerly Post 4 on the board.

Additional items discussed during this meeting include a sewer request, a coversheet amendment for Nov. 21, 2022, and two annexation and rezoning requests, all approved by council unanimously.

The agenda and supporting documents for this meeting can be found at the city’s website, or by going to wrga.gov/agendacenter. Mayor and council’s meeting are typically scheduled on the first and third Monday of each month, exclusive of federally practiced holidays.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 19. Pre-council will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Carolyn Robbins Room at City Hall. The regular council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the same building.

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