Parking enforcement officer Shannon Slaughter is due to retire Dec. 23.

Slaughter began working part-time as a parking enforcer for downtown McMinnville in May of 2006, but moved to full-time in the same position in 2010. Since then, she has kept parking fair and orderly for those visiting the various stores and businesses downtown. 

When Slaughter isn’t downtown, she helps out McMinnville Police Department as a fill-in secretary and a liaison for the courts.

“It was difficult sometimes when we received complaints from people who had been ticketed. They didn’t realize there was free parking in the back and they would be upset,” Slaughter said. “Talking to the people was one of my favorite things about the job, though. I’m going to miss seeing a lot of the familiar faces.”

Slaughter attributes her retirement to feeling the desire to move onto the next stage of life. 

“I feel like I’ve put in enough miles and I’m ready to hand it over to someone younger. I was 60 in October and that’s old enough to stop doing this job,” said Slaughter. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with my three grandkids and working on renovations at my house. I’ve wanted a sunroom for years and it’s one of the projects on our list.”

For the next person who might fill her position, Slaughter advised them, “Get a good pair of walking shoes.”