RIVERDALE — Landry Merkison’s family ties to Clayton County go back decades and for some 30 years, Merkison served his home county in many ways — including fire chief and deputy chief operating officer.

On Thursday at the Flint River Community Center, Clayton County held a retirement ceremony for Merkison and on Tuesday, Oct. 21, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners presented him with a proclamation.

“It’s meant the world — to be able to serve people where you grew up,” Merkison said in an interview before the ceremony. “I’ve bicycled the streets of this county for years as a kid and this is what I know. So to be able to work here and then work for Clayton County Fire was kind of a dream, and then to have the opportunity to lead it as fire chief was just amazing. I’ve had the pleasu

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