Another Change at City Hall

by

Maryann Miller

Sometimes change is very hard, and other times it is not so hard at all. For Wanda Renshaw, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Winnsboro, her most recent change falls in the latter category. She is retiring after 18 years with the city, and when asked why she said, "Well, because I'm old enough."

Then she laughed and finished. "There comes a time when you just know you're ready."

Wanda started working at City Hall as an assistant city secretary, and when Mary McLemore retired, Wanda took over as CFO. She said she has thoroughly enjoyed the job. "My father worked for the city for 26 years," she said at her retirement party Friday September 24th. "This is sort of a family thing."

That sense of family applies to the work environment, and Wanda said she is really going to miss the people she has worked with so closely for so long.

As for her future plans, the first thing she mentioned was that she is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren.

She is pictured here with her youngest son Jason Otts, grandson Zeev, and daughter-in-law Liat. Liat is from Israel, and she said her name has no special meaning in Hebrew, but Zeev means brilliant or bright. "He is brilliant," Wanda said.

The other ladies who work at City Hall prepared the refreshments for the reception and did the decorations, making the City Council Room very festive. Wanda said she was overwhelmed with all they did and so grateful.

Brenda Uhlenhopp will officially take over as CFO for Winnsboro this week. She has been working with Wanda since early in August to become acquainted with how things work and is ready to step into the role. To make the transition official, City Kitty, who spends a lot of time in Wanda's office, was passed to Brenda.

Brenda studied accounting at Auburn University and has 30 years experience in corporate accounting, administration, and computer software. She has been in Winnsboro for three years and was a VISTA worker for a year. "I don't like to admit that I'm a Yankee," she said with a laugh. "But I am originally from Upstate New York. However, I did come to Texas as soon as I could because I knew somehow that I belong here."

With her husband, Steve, Brenda came to East Texas from Dallas, and she is so happy they moved here. "We are just delighted to be here."

Wanda will be greatly missed at City Hall. Connie Clapton, Administrative Assistant, said, "Wanda is such a great person to work with and a wonderful mentor."

Nina Browning, City Administrator said, "We hate to see her go. She has done such a great job for the city through the years.

"While we will miss her terribly," Nina continued. "We have a lot of confidence in Brenda. She is very experienced and knowledgeable and fits in well with the rest of us in the offices."

L-R: Karen Newsom, Municipal Judge; Vickie Brenton, City Secretary; Nina Browning, City Administrator; Wanda Renshaw; Janet Cotten, Billing Administrator; Connie Clapton; Administrative Assistant.

L-R: Brenda Uhlenhopp, Anita Williams

It's Official!

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank you, Wanda, for all the years of service. Enjoy your retirement.