Westlake celebrates career of dedicated public servant
Mike Rump, left, with Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough and Recreation Director Bob DeMinico, during Rump’s retirement ceremony Sept. 16. Photo by Denny Wendell
Have you noticed anything different lately around Westlake’s parks, golf course and recreation center? If not, you might want to check your spectacles and look again. A familiar presence disappeared when Mike Rump, a longtime public servant in the city of Westlake, retired as assistant director of the recreation department on Sept. 16.
Rump, a 51-year resident of Westlake, began his tenure with the city as a councilman in 1984, serving nearly 15 years. Shortly after the recreation center opened in 1998, Rump asked Mayor Dennis Clough for an appointment to work in the growing department.
“Mike and I have known each other for a long time,” said Mayor Dennis Clough during a Sept. 14 reception in Rump’s honor in City Council chambers. “Mike took my position as Ward 6 councilman when I took a job [with the Internal Revenue Service] that didn’t allow me to run again. We’ve worked well together for many, many years. He definitely was a dedicated individual that really believed in Westlake.”
At his retirement, Rump’s 32 years marked the third-longest service time in the city, following Mayor Clough and City Council President Michael Killeen.
“Mike has been a lot of fun to have around,” Killeen said. “He’s a great asset to the city. He was an outstanding councilperson, always looking out for the people of Westlake and putting them first. And I think he’s done a great job in the administration.”
In addition to his many official duties, Rump built a reputation around City Hall as the man to talk to when in need of eyeglass repair.
“I’m sorry to see him go, for a lot of reasons. Where else am I going to get my glasses fixed?” Killeen joked during the reception. “One of Mike’s jobs on Council was to keep us in glasses because he had a background in that. He’s an outstanding person. I’m glad there’s so many people here to say thank you to Mike. We don’t say goodbye, we say thank you.”
Rump plans to enjoy part of the year in Florida, where he owns a home, but will reside most of the time in Westlake.
“I am proud to have served for over 32 years. Westlake is a great place,” Rump said. “It’s been a great ride. Life’s about the journey, not the destination, and we’ll find a new journey. But something tells me it will always come back to here.”