(July 7, 2016) Decades of job dedication that left an indelible mark on coworkers and cohorts were celebrated as the Worcester County Commissioners awarded commendations to nine retiring county employees during their June 21 meeting.
First on the list was John “Sonny” Bloxom, who retired as county attorney last year after serving in the position since 2008. Bloxom also served two tours as county commissioner for District One, from 1990-1995 and 1998-2006.
Commissioner Bud Church, while presenting the commendation to Bloxom, offered praise for a combined 20 years of service to the county and his overall amenable nature.
“We’ve had a lot of really good times together,” Church said.
Bloxom instantly filled the room with laughter as he pled the fifth.
“Some we can’t talk about,” he replied.
Commissioner Diana Purnell also elicited laughter while congratulating Bloxom, as she noted their association has stood the test of time.
“I didn’t get an opportunity to serve that long with you, but I’ve known you for a long time, and I love you still,” she said.
The next outgoing bright light honored was Donna Lovell, who spent 13 years as a license permit clerk. In his comments during her presentation, Ed Tudor, Department of Development Review and Permitting director, said Lovell was likely as nervous that day as the one she interviewed for the permit clerk position. He also praised Lovell’s work as staff liaison for the Board of Electrical Examiners and staff support for electricians throughout the county.
“I know she treated them both as her own sons and she’s going to be missed by both the electrical board and the electricians of the county,” he said.
Third in line was Wanda “Sue” Miller, who is stepping down after more than a decade as an accounting clerk in the finance office. Noting her background in the banking world, Phil Thompson, treasurer and finance officer, said Miller brought “exceptional bookkeeping and customer service skills” to the position. Among her duties, Miller handled tax customers and nuisance abatements, a role that is not without its challenges.
“Suffice it to say many of the customers, by the time they get to Sue, aren’t the happiest,” he said. “She does a tremendous job with a very professional attitude, as well as a very low key demeanor, and it will be greatly missed.”
The fourth retiree honored was Gale Hall, who has been a fixture with the Worcester County Library for the last three decades. Jennifer Ranck, library acting director, in her award presentation comments, noted the technological advances that have transpired since Hall came on board in July of 1986.
“Which means Gail has seen everything from where we used to stamp the books, to scanning the books, and now downloading the books,” she said.
Ranck said Hall’s infectious laugh and easy spirit fostered an enjoyable work environment.
“Every time we’d saw her car in the parking lot we knew we’d have a fun day,” she said.
The fifth honoree was William “Bill” Cody, who served 17 years as a captain at the Worcester County Detention Center. During his presentation comments, Warden Garry Mumford said Cody brought a strong work ethic from his previous retail business background.
“For those of us that are local, Cody came to us in 1999 from Cody School Service Station over across the bridge,” he said. “Well, when Cody came to us he retained that same attitude about work. Cody did whatever it took.”
Among his varied duties during his career at the jail, Cody served as the work release coordinator, handling more than 60 inmates making a daily departure for employment before later retuning for check in the same evening, Mumford said.
“Throughout the county we have a lot of good employees, we have some outstanding employees, but we also have a small group of exceptional employees,” he said. “Cody fits in the last, the exceptional employee.”
Mumford said Cody, known for his attention to detail, was recognizable for always having a notebook under his arm as he made his daily rounds to assure no issue was left unresolved. Mumford said he often had to remind Cody the day had ended.
“There were some nights where I would be leaving, I would look out and Cody’s vehicle would be in the parking lot I would call and say, ‘Hey, Cody, time to go,’” he said. “Cody would always say, ‘I got one more thing to do warden’ and he would take care of that and then he would go home. Cody, we’re going to miss you traveling through the corridors of the jail with that notebook.”
John Ross, Waster and Wasterwater Services deputy director, presented the final four staff members commendations for their years of service in the recycling division.
First among the pack was Ed Buchannan, who has been a recycling worker for 10 years, a position that Ross said some may overlook.
“Some jobs, you don’t really appreciate what all they do, but these people show up every day and work at that recycle line,” he said. “It’s important that these people do their job and we appreciate the effort that Ed provided for 10 years at the recycle division.”
Dorothy Dale, who worked for 11 years as a recycling worker was also recognized.
“Again a person who took her job very seriously, was there everyday working on that recycle line and dedicated a lot of years of her life to the county in that and we appreciate all your efforts,” he said.
Also honored, but unable to attend the ceremony, was Richard Sexton, who worked for 12 years as a transfer station attendant within the Solid Waster= Division of Public Works.
“We want to make sure his efforts are appreciated,” he said.
Closing on a high note, Ross offered his thoughts on the retiring of Ronald Taylor, recycling manager, after 21 years of dedication.
“Ron Taylor was basically from the time I’ve been here, ‘Mr. Recycling,’” he said. “Anything you want to know about recycling, you went to Ron Taylor.”
Ross noted that without Taylor’s passion, the county’s recycling division might not exist.
“We appreciate everything you did in basically bringing the recycling division along and your efforts are greatly appreciated,” he said.
First on the list was John “Sonny” Bloxom, who retired as county attorney last year after serving in the position since 2008. Bloxom also served two tours as county commissioner for District One, from 1990-1995 and 1998-2006.
Commissioner Bud Church, while presenting the commendation to Bloxom, offered praise for a combined 20 years of service to the county and his overall amenable nature.
“We’ve had a lot of really good times together,” Church said.
Bloxom instantly filled the room with laughter as he pled the fifth.
“Some we can’t talk about,” he replied.
Commissioner Diana Purnell also elicited laughter while congratulating Bloxom, as she noted their association has stood the test of time.
“I didn’t get an opportunity to serve that long with you, but I’ve known you for a long time, and I love you still,” she said.
The next outgoing bright light honored was Donna Lovell, who spent 13 years as a license permit clerk. In his comments during her presentation, Ed Tudor, Department of Development Review and Permitting director, said Lovell was likely as nervous that day as the one she interviewed for the permit clerk position. He also praised Lovell’s work as staff liaison for the Board of Electrical Examiners and staff support for electricians throughout the county.
“I know she treated them both as her own sons and she’s going to be missed by both the electrical board and the electricians of the county,” he said.
Third in line was Wanda “Sue” Miller, who is stepping down after more than a decade as an accounting clerk in the finance office. Noting her background in the banking world, Phil Thompson, treasurer and finance officer, said Miller brought “exceptional bookkeeping and customer service skills” to the position. Among her duties, Miller handled tax customers and nuisance abatements, a role that is not without its challenges.
“Suffice it to say many of the customers, by the time they get to Sue, aren’t the happiest,” he said. “She does a tremendous job with a very professional attitude, as well as a very low key demeanor, and it will be greatly missed.”
The fourth retiree honored was Gale Hall, who has been a fixture with the Worcester County Library for the last three decades. Jennifer Ranck, library acting director, in her award presentation comments, noted the technological advances that have transpired since Hall came on board in July of 1986.
“Which means Gail has seen everything from where we used to stamp the books, to scanning the books, and now downloading the books,” she said.
Ranck said Hall’s infectious laugh and easy spirit fostered an enjoyable work environment.
“Every time we’d saw her car in the parking lot we knew we’d have a fun day,” she said.
The fifth honoree was William “Bill” Cody, who served 17 years as a captain at the Worcester County Detention Center. During his presentation comments, Warden Garry Mumford said Cody brought a strong work ethic from his previous retail business background.
“For those of us that are local, Cody came to us in 1999 from Cody School Service Station over across the bridge,” he said. “Well, when Cody came to us he retained that same attitude about work. Cody did whatever it took.”
Among his varied duties during his career at the jail, Cody served as the work release coordinator, handling more than 60 inmates making a daily departure for employment before later retuning for check in the same evening, Mumford said.
“Throughout the county we have a lot of good employees, we have some outstanding employees, but we also have a small group of exceptional employees,” he said. “Cody fits in the last, the exceptional employee.”
Mumford said Cody, known for his attention to detail, was recognizable for always having a notebook under his arm as he made his daily rounds to assure no issue was left unresolved. Mumford said he often had to remind Cody the day had ended.
“There were some nights where I would be leaving, I would look out and Cody’s vehicle would be in the parking lot I would call and say, ‘Hey, Cody, time to go,’” he said. “Cody would always say, ‘I got one more thing to do warden’ and he would take care of that and then he would go home. Cody, we’re going to miss you traveling through the corridors of the jail with that notebook.”
John Ross, Waster and Wasterwater Services deputy director, presented the final four staff members commendations for their years of service in the recycling division.
First among the pack was Ed Buchannan, who has been a recycling worker for 10 years, a position that Ross said some may overlook.
“Some jobs, you don’t really appreciate what all they do, but these people show up every day and work at that recycle line,” he said. “It’s important that these people do their job and we appreciate the effort that Ed provided for 10 years at the recycle division.”
Dorothy Dale, who worked for 11 years as a recycling worker was also recognized.
“Again a person who took her job very seriously, was there everyday working on that recycle line and dedicated a lot of years of her life to the county in that and we appreciate all your efforts,” he said.
Also honored, but unable to attend the ceremony, was Richard Sexton, who worked for 12 years as a transfer station attendant within the Solid Waster= Division of Public Works.
“We want to make sure his efforts are appreciated,” he said.
Closing on a high note, Ross offered his thoughts on the retiring of Ronald Taylor, recycling manager, after 21 years of dedication.
“Ron Taylor was basically from the time I’ve been here, ‘Mr. Recycling,’” he said. “Anything you want to know about recycling, you went to Ron Taylor.”
Ross noted that without Taylor’s passion, the county’s recycling division might not exist.
“We appreciate everything you did in basically bringing the recycling division along and your efforts are greatly appreciated,” he said.