City Clerk Donna Leger, who has worked for the City of Dayton for nearly 37 years, has announced her retirement from the city — and had a day named in her honor.
The city held reception for Leger this week in conjunction with the grand opening of its newly remodeled Community and Meeting Center at 625 Second Ave., formerly a YMCA Building in the city.
“Donna Leger has been a dedicated employee of the City of Dayton for nearly four decades and the City this event was a great opportunity to thank Donna for her many years of service to the city and also give the public an opportunity to see our new Community and Meeting Center,” Mayor Ben Baker said.
At the reception, Mayor Baker read a proclamation making July 29, 2022, “Donna Leger Day” in the City of Dayton. (Click for PDF of Proclamation.)
Donna Leger and Mayor Ben Baker
Donna Leger first started working for the City of Dayton in 1985. She served as Assistant City Clerk from 1990 to 1995 and as City Clerk/Treasurer of the City since 1995. She received Municipal Clerk certifications from both the Kentucky Municipal Clerks’ Association (1994) and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in January (2005).
A native of Dayton, Leger is the second of three children of Jane and Gene Hebel, and she lived with her family on the 900 block of Fifth Avenue until she was 10 years old. She and her family then moved to the 1300 block of Fifth Avenue, an area commonly known in the city as “Leger Lane” because of the number of Leger family members who currently live or have lived there over the years.
Donna married her school sweetheart, Bennie, and they continue to live in Dayton after more than 45 years of marriage. Donna is a third-generation graduate of Dayton High School following her mother, Jane, and her grandmother, Nellie Wagner Hebel. Donna’s sons, Brad and Tyler, are fourth-generation graduates of the high school, and her granddaughters, Gabrielle and Hailey, will soon be fifth-generation graduates.
In addition to her many duties as Dayton City Clerk/Treasurer, Donna has been an active member in the Dayton community and on city boards and organizations, including working with the Dayton Civic Activities Board, the Dayton Parks Board, and the Dayton Heritage Museum.
On December 21, 1990, the Dayton Parks Board recognized Donna “for outstanding contributions to The Dayton Park Board,” and in 2009, Mayor Ken Rankle recognized her as the City’s “Volunteer of the Year” for her many years of “continued support and tireless enthusiasm for volunteering in the city.”
“During her tenure with the city, Donna has performed her job with integrity, honesty, kindness, thoughtfulness, passion, compassion, friendliness, intelligence, and humor,” Mayor Baker said. “The city is deeply appreciative of her time, commitment, and devotion to the City of Dayton. She will be deeply missed by city staff, our residents, and businesses.”
Incorporated in 1867, the City of Dayton has seen tremendous business and residential growth in recent years, including the rehabilitation of numerous historic structures and downtown businesses as well as the construction of new residential developments with amazing views at Manhattan Harbour on the Ohio River and on Pottebaum Point at 10th Avenue and O’Fallon Street. In addition, the Kentucky Department of Education has recognized Dayton Independent Schools as a “Distinguished School District,” its highest rating.
