EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
HONORING SANDRA HARIKA
Celebrating the retirement of the City of Alabaster's beloved Magistrate and Court Administrator
S
andra Harika was recently awarded a key to the City of Alabaster by Mayor Marty Handlon during a ceremony at City Hall. Sandy, as most knew her, retired in the spring as the City’s magistrate and court administrator after working for the City of Alabaster since 1978. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, her retirement party was pushed back until this fall. “Mayor Handlon really sprung this on me,” shared Harika. “She took me out to lunch and kept looking at her watch, and I thought I was keeping her. But turns out she had planned a celebration at City Hall for me with my former co-workers.” As they walked into the council chambers, Harika was overwhelmed by the show of support. “I was awestruck. I was trying so hard not to be emotional,” she said. “I was there for 42 years. It was like home to me. They are like family to me. They have been through tragedy and great times. We prayed together, and it was just so different after 42 years to not get up and go to work.” During her 42 years of service, Harika saw many changes. “When I first started at the City, there were like 15 other employees. We all knew each other. By the end there were so many I hardly knew them all,” she exclaimed.
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When asked why she stayed with the City for so many years, she summed up her experience with a practicality and hint of adventure. “Well I didn’t see a reason to leave. I was close to home. I loved my job. Got along with everyone. Saw so many changes and as the years went by, the job just got better,” Harika explained. Her job as City Magistrate and court administrator required her to interact with individuals who all had something in common – a bad day – but it gave her a chance to practice her faith and extend grace. “That is the biggest thing, you felt like you were helping victims and even some of the defendants,” she said. Pausing. she adds, “It is hard to put into words how I feel about the City and to look at people as people and not circumstances. Everybody is walking through something. We all fail, but I always try to keep that motto in mind. You always hope that being a friend and listening would help someone. And I guess that is what I miss the most.” It is what Alabaster will miss the most about Sandra Harika as well. AC
