Paul Mackey 1 of 5 senior staff retiring early from St. John's city hall

Paul Mackey, the face of St. John's public works for many years, is one of five senior city staff who have accepted early retirement offers.

The city also announcedTuesday that it will be making similar offers to another two dozen employees, and will reveal the cost savings in the Dec. 14budget.

• 'There will be a cost saving,' Dennis O'Keefe says of early retirement offerings

Mackey, who has worked at city hall for 23 years, is the deputy city manager of public works.

Hewas on vacation when he got the offer last week, and because he wasplanning to retire in a year or so anyway, the offer made sense.

"It kind of focused me up," Mackey told CBC News Tuesday morning. "Having made the decision, I'm comfortable with it."

Last day Monday

He said otherdeputy managers have also accepted the early retirement package, giving younger staff an opportunity to move up.

The city confirmed that Dave Blackmore in planning, development and engineering, Jill Brewer in community services, and Robert Bishop in financial managementare also leaving.

Kevin Breen stays onin corporate services.Mackey said Breenis not eligible for early retirement.

For more than two decades at city hall,Mackeyhas been the media contact for issues like snow clearing, garbage collection and pothole repair. Before that, he worked 11 years for the St. John's areametroboard.

"I have contact with so many people. I'm going to miss my co-workers and the public, and the media," he said.

"But, I have a clean slate to work from. I have good health.I'm not going to be sitting around."

Mackey turns 64 in the spring and said he is looking forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoys biking, skiing,and travel.

His last day on the job is Monday.

More to come

Coun.Jonathan Galgay said in a news briefing Tuesday afternoon that another 20 to 25 city staff are being offered retirement incentives.

"We have no issues at city hall in terms of conflicts," he said. "But there will be positions within each of the divisions that will not be filled."

Galgay said a "clear analysis of where we will see our savings" will come on budget day, Dec. 14.

"We will see some elimination in some management positions as people move up through the systems."

City announces replacements

In the meantime, the city has announced the appointment of new deputy managers, who will take over Dec.1.

Lynnann Winsor will move into Mackey's job.

Derek Coffeyhas been appointed deputy manager of financialmanagement.

Jason Sinyardmoves into planning, development and engineering.

Tanya Haywoodtakes over community services.

Cheryl Mullettreplaces Robert Bursey as city solicitor.

Galgay said there will be no interruption in services at city hall, and while the departing managers leave "a huge void," their replacements have "a significant amount of experience."