When Isiah Smalls started working for the City of Beaufort in June 1985, compact discs were just being introduced in America, a gallon of gas cost about $1.09, and a movie  ticket to see the new flick “Back to the Future” cost $2.75. For 30 years, Smalls came to work every day to serve the people of Beaufort, working a variety of positions leading up to Director of Public Works. This Monday, Smalls retired from the City of

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Beaufort.

“We have been truly fortunate to have Isiah Smalls work with and work for the City of Beaufort,” Mayor Billy Keyserling said. “This is his community, and I think he came to work not so much for the paycheck as for the chance to help make Beaufort a better place. As he retires, I can comfortably say our city is in much better shape due in large part to his dedication.”

With Smalls’ retirement, Assistant Public Works Director Lamar Taylor will serve as interim directorDavid Coleman, the city’s newly-hired Senior Project Manager, will work with Taylor to oversee the many ongoing and upcoming public works projects.

“We certainly wish Mr. Smalls all the best in retirement,” Beaufort Interim City Manager Bill Prokop said. “While I have only known him a short time since my arrival in Beaufort, it’s clear he has a deep understanding of what makes Beaufort special.”

Smalls joined the City in June 1985 as the Superintendent of Sanitation and Streets. Nine years later he became Acting Public Works Director and in October 1994 was named Operations Officer for Beaufort’s public works. In 1995 Smalls was promoted to Director of Public Works.

His duties have included maintaining and improving streets and drainage, sanitation, recycling, traffic control and the city’s extensive network of parks and playgrounds.

“When you enjoy the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and notice how clean it is, or when your kids or grandkids enjoy playing at Pigeon Point Park, I’d like people to think of our Public Works Department and Isiah’s 30 years of work that helped make all that possible,” Keyserling said.