WHEREAS, Hallie D. Dinkel, Mayor of the Town of Bridgewater for 20 years, will retire on December 31, 2016, after serving with great dedication and demonstrating exceptional leadership; and

WHEREAS, Hallie Dinkel was born in Bridgewater and graduated from Turner Ashby High School; in 1966, he joined the United States Air Force and served his country for 20 years, spending most of his active-duty career stationed in West Germany, working as a Russian linguist; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the military in 1986, Hallie Dinkel returned home with a desire to serve in municipal government; after seven years as a member of the Bridgewater Town Council, he was elected Mayor of Bridgewater in 1996; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as mayor of the picturesque town in Rockingham County, Hallie Dinkel has overseen a period of growth and improvements to Main Street; he continues to derive great satisfaction from serving the residents of Bridgewater and getting to know them; and

WHEREAS, one of the many projects that was completed during Hallie Dinkel's time as Mayor of Bridgewater was Generations Park; it features a popular indoor ice skating rink that is free of charge for residents of the Town of Bridgewater; and

WHEREAS, Hallie Dinkel's deep attachment to Bridgewater stems in part from his family's role in the town's history; he is descended from John Dinkel, who, with his brother, is credited with founding modern-day Bridgewater in the early 19th century; and

WHEREAS, in retirement, Hallie Dinkel looks forward to spending time with his wife, Carolyn, and their two sons and six grandchildren; he also plans to remain involved in issues that are important to the Town of Bridgewater; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Hallie D. Dinkel for his many years of dedicated public service as Mayor of Bridgewater; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Hallie D. Dinkel as an expression of the General Assembly's respect and admiration for his commitment and outstanding service to the people of Bridgewater and best wishes in retirement.