Monday night's City Council meeting led off with recognition of two City of Sedalia employees.

Probationary Firefighter Matt Kowalski received his badge from Sedalia Fire Chief Greg Harrell. Matt grandfather Joe, a retired firefighter, pinned the badge on his son. Kowalski is now a full-fledged firefighter for the City of Sedalia.

“Matt came to us in September of last year,” Harrell said, noting that he has completed his certification. He added that Joe retired from the SFD in 2003 after serving 34 years.

Matt was accompanied Monday by his friend Kennedy. Kowalski is a member of Sedalia Firefighters Local 103.

Also recognized Monday night was James Desmond, who retired after serving 43 years, eight months with the City of Sedalia. He served as a member of the Sedalia Police Department for about 30 years, and upon his retirement as a lieutenant from the police force, immediately went to work in the City's Building Maintenance department in April of 2006.

Desmond's work ethic was lauded by Mayor John Kehde and Community Development Director John Simmons.

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