MOUNT VERNON – More than 100 city employees gathered at the Station Break Senior Center on Jan. 11 to honor coworkers for their service at the first Workforce Development Employee Appreciation Luncheon.
The luncheon was organized to recognize 30 employees for serving the city for anywhere from five to 30 years, while six Team Member awards were also handed out.
“This was the first time that the city’s employees, representing all the various departments, have come together like this,” said Mayor Matt Starr. “This is not just about attendance, but it marks the time during which these employees have decided to commit themselves to public service, and there’s a nobility in that.”
Starr said a few employees told him this was the first time they’d seen people from other departments. He said that the Team Member winners represent victories in the city’s workforce that the community needs to see.
Leading up to the luncheon, city workers were asked to participate in a survey, nominating team members in six different departments or categories; 109 employees participated in the survey.
Joshua Lester was named the Emergency Services Team Member of the Year, encompassing police, fire, EMTs and all emergency personnel.
“Whether it be a senior guy to a part-time student, he puts in the same effort,” an anonymous survey respondent wrote in nominating Lester.
The Judicial Team Member, selected from those working within the municipal court system, was Brittney Whitney.
“She goes above and beyond for victims of crime, particularly victims of domestic violence, to secure justice for these unique victims and to set a precedent in Knox County,” a survey respondent wrote.
Terry Postle was named the Public Works Team Member (parks, street, public buildings and lands and cemetery).
“Whenever you call Terry for anything, he figures out a solution and has a great attitude,” a respondent said.
Lee Henthorn was named the Public Utilities Team Member of the Year (water/wastewater, billing office, metering, distribution and collection).
“Lee possesses many years’ worth of knowledge and consistently works outside his responsibilities to help any department in need,” a survey respondent said.
The City Hall Team Member was Development Services Manager Lacie Blankenhorn. A survey respondent wrote, “Her knowledge, experience and willingness to take on any role asked of her places her above and beyond most other employees.”
Finally, employees chose Diane Clippinger of the Tax Department as the VIP Team Member of the Year because she “sets the example of what it means to work for the great City of Mount Vernon.”
The Employee Appreciation event’s longevity recipients were as follows:
- Five Years – John Alberts, Thomas Brown, Thomas Calland, Jamee Hershberger, Lindsay Hoar, Brayden Kramp, Jennifer Mack and Eric Maggard.
- 10 Years – Aaron Collins, Benjamin Herrod and Christopher Roddy.
- 15 Years – Joy Clinger, Nick Cockrell, Tony DeIuliis, Chad Elser, Patrick Hornsby, Bryan Kramp, Joshua Lester, Kevin Lisbon, Jared McCann and Trevor Williams.
- 20 Years – Andrew Burns, Robert Stribling and Duane VanHorn.
- 25 Years – Terry Davis, Beth Marti, Patricia McCann and Tim Rose.
- 30 Years – Jerry Clinger and Eric Rutter.
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