{"id":20999,"date":"2016-01-10T07:52:05","date_gmt":"2016-01-10T12:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brigantinenow.com\/?p=20999"},"modified":"2016-01-11T06:58:56","modified_gmt":"2016-01-11T11:58:56","slug":"thank-ernie-purdy-love-brigantine-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brigantinenow.com\/thank-ernie-purdy-love-brigantine-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"Thank You Ernie Purdy. Love, Brigantine Beach."},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"ErnieSpotlight on Ernie Purdy, the recently retired Chief of Public Works for Brigantine:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Purdy worked for the city for 32 years. He has seen a lot over those years culminating with Superstorm Sandy hitting the island in 2012.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve seen a lot of changes over the years,\u201d he said. \u201cI have been on the island my entire life, and it was just a summer spot with motels all over. Then it became a casino bedroom community, but now it is becoming a summertime resort.\u201d<\/p>\n

Purdy has done it all during his time with Public Works<\/strong>, starting in 1981 at a salary of $12,048.\u00a0\u201cI started out digging ditches,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Purdy took over as acting superintendent in 1999 after the department was shaken up & made more efficient by the popular superintendent; John Costello. The dysfunctional Public Works department was none too happy with the more aggressive & professional oversight from Costello.<\/p>\n

Purdy built his reputation of \u2018doing more with less\u2019 as the island has grown. The department has shrunk from as many as 32 employees to a staff of 22.<\/p>\n

Full Beachcomber News Story Here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Some video of Ernie in action; Summer 2013.<\/p>\n