Jimmy Sidwell , above right, is shown accepting a plaque from Albany Mayor Nicky Smith during a luncheon held last week at Albany City Hall in Sidwell’s honor.

Sidwell has retired after 36 years of employment by the City of Albany Water Department, working mostly as an equipment operator and primarily a backhoe operator.

Sidwell noted that he had thoroughly enjoyed his time with the City of Albany but was looking forward to retirement.

Also pictured in the top photo are current Albany City Council member James “Smitty” Smith, former Albany Mayor Lanny Bowlin, City Council member Leland Hicks, and former Albany Mayor Harold Reeves.

Both former mayors at last week’s gathering had good things to say about Sidwell, with Bowlin noting he was the “best backhoe operator I’ve ever seen” while Reeves added that he “wasn’t afraid of hard work.”

Sidwell has worked for the City of Albany through the tenure of seven mayors, including Robert Chilton, Bobby York, Lanny Bowlin, Harold Reeves, Sid Scott, James Brown and Nicky Smith.

In the photo at right, Sidwell is shown with four of his current fellow co-workers from the Albany Water Department. From left to right, they are: David Guffey, Kenneth Delk, Sidwell, David Polston, and Eric Guffey.