Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Photo by Grace Kirchner Mike McCord wore a variety of hats while working for the city of Clintonville the past 25 years. It was a job he appreciated, but he is now enjoying retirement with plans to spend some of the time in the beautiful backyard at his home.
On a nice summer day, you will likely find Mike McCord with a cup of coffee in his backyard, recovering from recent surgeries.
McCord recently retired after 25 years as superintendent of the Clintonville Public Works Department.
“This is a great city,” McCord said. “I consider Clintonville my home.”
“I am very appreciative for what he has done for the city for 25 years,” Mayor Judith Magee said. “He was an excellent employee.”
McCord grew up in Waukesha, graduated from high school when he was 17, worked for several years and then attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, earning a degree in civil engineering and surveying.
Cord accepted the position as Clintonville public works superintendent in June 1990.
“I saw an ad for the job. I had driven through Clintonville on my way up north so I knew the town,” recalled McCord, who sent in his resume and was one of four people interviewed. “They offered me the job. There was something about my resume.”
In addition to working with good people, McCord said the highlight of his job here was when the city collected $30,000 and allowed him and five others to travel to Gulf Port, Mississippi, to help with hurricane relief efforts after Katrina struck.
“We got down there and they put us to work,” McCord said. “We stayed in a building with only part of a roof. … We worked 15-hour days. We received no over time and no one ever asked for it. It was definitely amazing. I was so proud of Clintonville. The city really stepped up.”
One of the biggest projects to be undertaken while McCord was the Public Works superintendent was the rebuilding of South Main Street. He worked to educate the community and help the businesses survive during the reconstruction.
McCord said development of the North Industrial Park, which did not exist when he arrived, and the South Industrial Park were also important changes during his tenure.
The city got out of the garbage pick up under McCord’s leadership.
“It was a big step,” he said. “Our landfill was closed and garbage was hauled to Bowers landfill in the town of Dupont.”
The city still offers brush and leaf pickup, however.
“We saved money by buying a street sweeper and leaf vacuum,” McCord said. “There used to be four men for leaf pickup and now there is one.”
McCord said he also is “real proud of the snow plowing” plan he devised.
His department had 12 employees when McCord was hired. It now has six.
“With new technology and efficiency of the machinery, the equipment replaced men. It was too drastic, and I blame myself,” he said.
Over the years, due to tight budgets, McCord also assumed the duties of city health inspector, airport manager and, for a time, utility manager.
“One of the highlights for me was to watch the airport grow,” he said. “It is a model for a city of 5,000 or less. … I am probably the only airport manager that doesn’t fly.”
During his retirement, McCord said he might continue to be involved with Wisconsin Partners for Nicaragua. Boaco, Nicaragua is a Sister City with Clintonville and he has spent time there.
McCord and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters and one grandchild.