Dottie Perham-Whittier sits Thursday afternoon at her desk in Lewiston City Hall. She announced this week she will be retiring after 42 years at City Hall. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal LEWISTON — Elected officials and city staff come and go, but Dottie Perham-Whittier has maintained a sense of continuity in the Lewiston administrator’s office since Ronald Reagan was president.
However, after 42 years at City Hall, Perham-Whittier announced her retirement this week from her role in the communications office and is still pondering her next move. Perham-Whittier, who will turn 63 next week, said she made the decision on Monday after “thinking and praying a lot” about it. Due to some well-earned vacation time, Friday will be her last day at City Hall.
“I just feel that, personally and professionally, it’s time for something new,” she said. “There’s been a lot of changes here and I think it’s time for me to seek a new adventure that I think will bring a lot of joy and happiness into my life.” Current and former colleagues in Lewiston described her Thursday as a driven employee who was willing to help where it was needed, and recognized her for years of mentoring young people.
She had already received flowers Thursday from someone who found out about the news. Perham-Whittier was hired by former city administrator Lucien Gosselin and started on Sept. 13, 1982.
Her position has evolved over the years, beginning as administrative secretary, and then shifting to a.