Newberry’s Planner retires After 15 Years of Service

NEWBERRY ‒ A woman who has made significant contributions to the City of Newberry over the years was honored on March 24 at a retirement party given by City management and staff. Principle Planner Wendy Kinser-Maxwell has served the citizens, staff and Commissioners for more than 15 years.

“Wendy’s list of accomplishments with the City are too numerous to list,” said Mayor Jordan Marlowe. As for the highlights of her career with the City, “She is responsible for helping Newberry establish our professional planning department,” said Marlowe. “Our Planning Department operates at a level that is unmatched for small cities. It has been crucial in enabling the strong development that we have realized over the past decade, development that has elevated Newberry.”

In addition to her role as Principal Planner, Kinser-Maxwell also served as the City’s grants manager. In that role she secured more than $10 million in grants that provided critical utility and recreational infrastructure for the City and improved housing for residents in need.

“It will be difficult to find someone as experienced to fill Wendy’s shoes,” said Planning and Economic Development Director Bryan Thomas at the Feb. 28, City Commission meeting, the last meeting before her March 3 retirement.

Marlowe read a proclamation into the record during the Feb. 28 meeting honoring Kinser-Maxwell and naming March 3, her last day with the City, as Wendy Kinser-Maxwell Day in Newberry. He also presented her with a plaque and an award for her years of service and wished her well. This was her last official City meeting before retiring.

Attending the March 24 retirement event in her honor were several dignitaries, developers, current and previous city commissioners and citizens. Several City employees touted her as a great resource to assist them when they were new to the City and beyond.

The retirement event was held in the Metholee Norfleet Municipal Building, which was recently named in honor of the City’s first and only female mayor to date.

“We are going to miss her, but we will also forever be grateful for all that she has done for our community,” said Marlowe. “Enjoy your retirement, Ms. Wendy! You have definitely earned it!”

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