Pat Doman,, right, will retire as Pine River Housing and Redevelopment Auhority. Her friend and successor, Alice Taylor, left, will be the new HRA director. Photo by Kelly Virden

They'll miss that constant enthusiasm as she retires, June 1. Her longtime co-worker, current assistant director Alice Taylor will be promoted to director in her place.

Doman began working part-time with the Pine River Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) in 2000 and began her full-time duties as director there in 2002.

Pine River's HRA coordinates rentals for seniors, the disabled and low-income families. The Pine River HRA has 60 apartments and 10 three-to four-bedroom family homes in the city limits.

Retirement will give Doman the time to travel and visit her son, James, in Nevada, and daughter, Robyn, in California, and her grandchildren.

"Hands down the residents, the staff and the board," have been the most rewarding parts of her job, Doman said. "I've seen extraordinary compassion and remarkable kindness," she said.

Doman loves Pine River and speaks highly of city staff and employees. "Every department in the city of Pine River has impacted the life of our residents positively," she said.

And it seems the feeling is mutual.

At the May 12 city council meeting, Mayor Jim Sabas commented that Doman has "a spirit of joy, kindness and a work ethic next to none. The residents of this community appreciate your dedication to making Pine River a better place to live," Sabas said.

Aside from her positive relationship with the city, Doman has positive things to say about the five-member HRA board of directors.

"(The board) has always put the needs of residents first," Doman said of her working relationship with the board.

Longtime Norway Brook resident Ruth Holton related residents' feelings about Doman by saying "Everyone here thinks the world of her."

"She's just wonderful," Holton said. "We've never been so happy."

Holton describes Doman as caring and cheerful and thoughtful. "She's always thinking of someone else," Holton said.

Aside from developing relationships with the residents and the board, Doman has been busy carrying out the functions of director: managing the HRA properties, leasing apartments and houses, overseeing staff-supported services to the residents, and compiling reports to the U.S. Department of Housing and Rural Development.

During her time as HRA director she's overseen building improvements - especially to Norway Brook apartments.

And, there are more building improvements planned in the future.

"Alice is inheriting a handful," Doman said of her successor.

Pine River HRA received $68,988 in federal stimulus dollars that will be used for energy efficient windows on their properties.

And landscaping improvement is planned for the Norway Brook Apartments including an underground irrigation system from the river, construction of a handicapped accessible dock, and landscaping.

In the meantime Doman is helping Taylor learn the ropes of director - and is confident that Taylor will serve the director position well.

Taylor is already familiar with the Pine River HRA - she began employment there as assistant director in 2002. She has also worked in the Pine River-Backus transportation department.

She's familiar with the community after living here for a decade. She came to Pine River in 1999 by way of Illinois and Virginia. Her slight southern accent is still discernable - and endearing.

In her new position she'll oversee between 4-5 staff members depending on the season. Her seven years with Pine River HRA have given her the chance to become close with the staff.

Taylor said that, as director, her goal is to maintain the level of service that residents have come to expect from her predecessor.

And, her top priority will be to "take care of the residents."