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Published on Thursday, April 3, 2003
in the Bradford County Telegraph
"I had a good run." Those are the words of Raymond Simmons, the maintenance technician at the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) station in Starke. Simmons will be retiring July 1 after 36 years of working with FHP.
FHP, because of budget cuts, eliminated the maintenance technician positions several years ago. Those who filled such positions, however, were not laid off.
When Simmons retires, there will be no one to take his place. Lt. Timothy Hines said someone will have to "step up to the plate" and perform the duties that Simmons did.
That won't be easy, however.
"With his retirement, his position is being eliminated," Cpl. Jimmy Starling said. "It's a good thing it is because there isn't anybody who can take his place."
Simmons, who started working for FHP on Feb. 20, 1967, said he just does whatever needs to be done.
"If I can do something to help somebody, I do it," Simmons said.
Simmons does a lot of little things that maybe other people wouldn't notice, Starling said. However, those tasks are not overlooked. It may be something as simple as making sure the heat in the building is on. During the days of extreme cold temperatures experienced earlier this year, such a task was appreciated by Starling. If he was called out at night, he would return to the comfort of a warm building.
"You don't think about stuff like that," Starling said. "He does it so much you take it for granted."
Simmons, 68, said he is looking forward to retiring. He said he plans to do some fishing and be involved in church activities. First and foremost, he and his wife, who live in Lawtey will visit their children and grandchildren.
Simmons has two sons who live out of state. Once he and his wife pay their visits to their children and grandchildren, they will do some traveling for fun.
"We're just going to ride," Simmons said. "We're going to do a lot of riding."
Though he is looking forward to retirement, Simmons said he enjoyed his years working with FHP. He enjoyed the job and he said he couldn't work with better people.
"I've had a good time," Simmons said.
Hines said he hates the fact the station will be losing Simmons.
"(He's) always got a pleasant attitude," Hines said. "I don't think you can make that man upset."