By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—After 25 years with the city of Pelham, Court Clerk Karen Bragan retired on July 31. City employees gathered to celebrate her retirement at the city’s Police and Courts building and to present her with a special rocking chair commemorating her career with the city.

“I have been in several departments,” Bragan said of her career with the city. “I’ve been with the city for 25 years, and with the court for 19 of that.”

Bragan is loved by her coworkers and Pelham Mayor Gary Waters described her as “one of those go-to people” for her reliability and strong work ethic.

Bragan said her favorite part of working with the city, and what she will miss most, is the people she saw and interacted with every day.

“Everywhere I’ve been, our people have been so wonderful,” Bragan said. “This is like a family.”

Bragan said she will also miss the job as court clerk.

“With this job in particular, you have an opportunity to help people,” Bragan said. “It’s been nice to try to make people feel better.”

“We’re going to miss her,” newly appointed Court Clerk Jennifer Bridwell said. Bridwell has been a full-time city employee since 2008 and worked with Bragan as a court magistrate.

“We’re very sad to see her go, but we’re going to keep in touch,” Bridwell said. “I’m sure I’m going to have a lot of questions.”

Although she will miss her coworkers and job with the city, Bragan said she looks forward to having more free time in retirement, however she has no definite plans yet.

“I have to borrow someone’s bucket list,” Bragan said with a laugh. “I would like to do a little traveling… and spend time with my kids and grandkids.”