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The city of El Dorado recognized several employees last week for their service to the city.
“Tonight is a good night because we get to honor our employees with service awards,” said Mayor Tom McKibban.
The first to be recognized were those having worked for the city for 10 years. Five employees reached this benchmark in 2008.
Donna Gragg, administration, was among those employees. She began her service with the city on March 5, 1998.
“Donna is a very dedicated employee,” said Dee Anne Grunder, finance director. “She creates a positive image of the city.
She is the person citizens first talk to when they call the city. She also helps organize Character First meetings, among other duties.
“Donna has worked for us for 10 years now and it has been truly a pleasure,” Grunder said.
Another 10-year employee was Jason Hughey, public works.
He began his employment in 1992 in the water department, but actually began his career in 1998 when he was hired as an equipment operator II in the public works department. He was then promoted to street superintendent.
“You can always call on Jason when the city needs him rain or shine, snow or ice,” said Brad Meyer, assistant public works director. “He has proven to be an excellent leader for those who work for him.”
Others recognized for 10 years of service but not present were Sonya Nixon, police; Eddie Terrones, public works; and Anthony Yaghjian, fire.
Next, were the 15-year employees. Among those employees was Officer Timothy Baker.
He teaches at the police academy on occasion as a guest instructor. He is an avid sportsman and proud parent.
“He actually puts Character First materials to practice on his shift,” said Police Chief Tom Boren.
Ralph Ehrlich, public works, celebrated 15 years with the city this year.
He was hired in the cemeteries department, then transferred to the water department as a water distribution operator in 1997. He was later promoted to operator II, then transferred to public works. He will be taking on new duties in January when he takes over the storm water maintenance projects for the city.
Another 15-year employee not at the meeting was Ron McClure, public utilities.
There also were three 20-year employees.
Gary Taylor, public utilities, began his employment with the street department. He then moved to parks and cemeteries, before joining the water distribution crew. In 2001, he transferred to the water treatment plant.
“Gary is always thinking and is very passionate about his job,” said Kurt Bookout, director of public utilities.
The city of El Dorado recognized several employees last week for their service to the city.
“Tonight is a good night because we get to honor our employees with service awards,” said Mayor Tom McKibban.
The first to be recognized were those having worked for the city for 10 years. Five employees reached this benchmark in 2008.
Donna Gragg, administration, was among those employees. She began her service with the city on March 5, 1998.
“Donna is a very dedicated employee,” said Dee Anne Grunder, finance director. “She creates a positive image of the city.
She is the person citizens first talk to when they call the city. She also helps organize Character First meetings, among other duties.
“Donna has worked for us for 10 years now and it has been truly a pleasure,” Grunder said.
Another 10-year employee was Jason Hughey, public works.
He began his employment in 1992 in the water department, but actually began his career in 1998 when he was hired as an equipment operator II in the public works department. He was then promoted to street superintendent.
“You can always call on Jason when the city needs him rain or shine, snow or ice,” said Brad Meyer, assistant public works director. “He has proven to be an excellent leader for those who work for him.”
Others recognized for 10 years of service but not present were Sonya Nixon, police; Eddie Terrones, public works; and Anthony Yaghjian, fire.
Next, were the 15-year employees. Among those employees was Officer Timothy Baker.
He teaches at the police academy on occasion as a guest instructor. He is an avid sportsman and proud parent.
“He actually puts Character First materials to practice on his shift,” said Police Chief Tom Boren.
Ralph Ehrlich, public works, celebrated 15 years with the city this year.
He was hired in the cemeteries department, then transferred to the water department as a water distribution operator in 1997. He was later promoted to operator II, then transferred to public works. He will be taking on new duties in January when he takes over the storm water maintenance projects for the city.
Another 15-year employee not at the meeting was Ron McClure, public utilities.
There also were three 20-year employees.
Gary Taylor, public utilities, began his employment with the street department. He then moved to parks and cemeteries, before joining the water distribution crew. In 2001, he transferred to the water treatment plant.
“Gary is always thinking and is very passionate about his job,” said Kurt Bookout, director of public utilities.
He said he has come up with some effective ideas that have made the department more productive.
Judy McIntosh, public utilities, also celebrated 20 years.
“I can’t say enough nice things about this lady,” Bookout said. “She is the epitome of a cheerful, positive attitude.”
She began with the city as a utility clerk. Then in 1992, she was promoted to administrative secretary for public works and public utilities. In 2007, she became the full-time public utilities department secretary when the two departments split.
The third employee was David Sammons, public works.
He began working for the city in the public works department. He is a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association, First Baptist Church and part of the Patriot Guard. He also is an avid sports fan.
There was one employee celebrating 30 years of service. That was Charles Stevens, public utilities.
“Chuck is one of those behind-the-scenes guys who just gets the job done,” Bookout said.
He is one who they can go to if someone needs to know where something is or what happened.
“He has turned bending copper for meter sets into an art form,” Bookout said. “No one can match his skill.”
Robert Simmons, public utilities, has worked for the city for 35 years.
“Bob’s another one of those employees I can’t say enough about,” Bookout said. “Bob really does take his job serious.”
He began working for the city as a water treatment operator. He then began pursuing state water certification.
“He has held the state’s highest certification for many years,” Bookout said. “He attends many conferences and seminars on his own to advance his knowledge of that field.”
He also helped lay the groundwork for the backflow and cross water prevention program, as well as suppling data for the wetlands project. He is currently involved in a study to increase the filtering capacity at the water plant.
“He’s been instrumental in developing the water lab class for the Walnut River Festival,” Bookout said.
One employee celebrated 40 years of service to the city, Ralph Ballinger, public utilities.
He was recently recognized at the Kansas League of Municipalities Conference in Wichita.
He was the first person to run a sewer flush truck for the city. Then in 1969, he transferred to an operator position at the water treatment plant. In 1971, he was promoted to operator lab technician. Ballinger holds the state’s highest certification in waste water management. Then in 2001, he was promoted to chief operator at the waste water plant.
“Ralph exemplifies the character trait responsibility by his enthusiasm and dedication to his job,” Bookout said.
The commissioners thanked the employees.
“We have a whole lot out there who do work hard for us,” McKibban said.
