Tears, Laughs Given For Retiring Hazelwood City Manager

Although the agenda read as a regular Hazelwood City Council meeting, the night clearly belonged to City Manager Edwin Carlstrom.

Carlstrom who has served the city for 34 years will retire July 26. The Council honored him and designated his final day as Edwin G. Carlstrom Day in the City of Hazelwood.

Mayor Matthew Robinson presented Carlstrom with a proclamation for his years of service followed by a "special" proclamation and gifts from city attorney Kevin O'Keefe and Councilman Don Ryan.

"He's laid a legacy that we will live with in the City of Hazelwood," Mayor Robinson said. "Whoever the next person may be, that's a pretty big (hard) hat to fill."

Although the public celebrated with Carlstrom during his final council meeting, the city will also give him a formal retirement party in the next week.

"It's been a pleasant experience," Carlstrom said previously. "Most don't stay as long as I did."

The search for a new city manager is ongoing, and Mayor Robinson said he hopes to have someone in place by the fall.