December 2023 Employee of the Month Jim Nease

What Jim has added to Jonesborough as an employee has been crucial to the success of the water quality department. Having served Jonesborough for over 34 years, his undeniable dedication to the job shines through every single day without fail.
Though he has only been in the water quality department just over a year, he has excelled in every task and challenge he has faced. He stepped up and took charge of the meter installation project, aiding vepo every step of the way with finding, locating, marking, and changing meters while still maintaining his regular line flush points daily. Whether it is his willingness to work overtime most weeks, often in the early morning hours no matter where the job is, or his overall stellar performance and overachievement to help others, all of these qualities make him a worthy candidate.
More recently, Jim has worked assiduously in ensuring the continuity of the exceptional water quality for the town of Jonesborough. He effortlessly met the rigorous water examination standards set by the state of Tennessee, which garnered him well-deserved accolades. He has obtained the most remarkable results for the state water quality analysis that have been observed in the last 7 years, achieving optimal success for the town of Jonesborough.
Thank you, Jim Nease! You are appreciated!

November 2023 Employee of the Month Chason Freeman

I would like to nominate Chason Freeman, Fire Lt. for the Town of Jonesborough for Employee of the Month. Chason has always been great to work with. Recently, Chason provided an information table at the senior center to notify our members of the fire department’s smoke detector program. Many of our seniors were not aware something like this was available, and this information has greatly assisted our seniors who would otherwise struggle to install and check their own detectors. What a wonderful service the Fire Department provides and what a great outreach to the community. I overheard Chason and the other fireman interact with our members, and they were great, very informative and engaging. Taking the time to inform our members and answer their questions.

Being able to connect with the community is an essential quality working with the public, and Chason did such a good job. The following week, Chason and another fireman provided a safety class on using a fire extinguisher, which included classroom education and hands on experience operating a fire extinguisher. Our members really enjoyed the opportunity and commented that they feel safer in their own homes now having had the experience of using an extinguisher. Chason was even a good sport and posed with our members for a fun photo! I asked him what made him want to become a fireman, and he shared that as a boy he had learned about firefighting from his dad and grew up responding to fires with his dad. He knew from an early age that was the field for him. I was impressed by his calling for this line of work, and his dedication to the service of others.

Chason exemplifies that call to service, in how he treats the community and in his dedication. Being in a service field requires that person to put others before themselves. Hearing his love for what he does and sharing that so many of the fireman feel that way just made me so proud of our Fire Department in Jonesborough. Chason is always great to work with anytime we need help with anything, fire drills, CPR training and outreach. He has always provided our staff with CPR training. He teaches in a very relatable way and makes sure that we feel comfortable in the skills before we complete the course. I would like to nominate Chason Freeman for Employee of the Month.

 

Thank you, Chason Freeman! You are appreciated!

October 2023 Employee of the Month Jerry Davis

I would Like to nominate Fleet Dept Employee Jerry Davis for Employee of the Month.  The Fleet Department is one of the smallest departments in the Town of Jonesborough, with only 3 technicians serving 16 departments with over 200 plus vehicles and engine powered equipment ranging from air cooled weed eater’s and lawn mowers to dump trucks and very large heavy equipment.

Jerry has worked on Jonesborough’s garbage trucks his whole career, for 28 years.  He is willing anytime from early in the morning to late at night to repair an out of service garbage truck.  Working on weekends often, despite his personal needs, to keep our aging garbage truck fleet ready to serve Jonesborough.  If you stand beside any city garbage truck in any city, anywhere, your nose will soon tell you, do not crawl under it.  Sometimes he must go to the landfill and crawl over garbage under the truck just to get one of our trucks rolling again, how much is that worth…priceless.  Speaking of price, if we didn’t have Jerry saving the town literally thousands of dollars each month it would be hard to keep it all moving.  For example, our local big truck shop charges $125.00 an hour and our local new truck dealer charges $239.00 an hour, subtract Jerry’s hourly pay even with some overtime added, and then you can see Jerry is a real bargain.  Jerry is a steady worker, always moving forward to keep Jonesborough’s large trucks and off-road equipment in operating condition.  Jerry is a very cooperative worker willing to work with others and he truly cares about Jonesborough.  Great job Jerry!

 

Thank you, Jerry Davis! You are appreciated!

September 2023 Employee of the Month Michael Kincheloe

Michael Kincheloe is a Plant Operator IV at the Water Treatment Facility. He has stepped up to several challenges at the plant over the last few months. He has come in to work several times on his days off and even cancelled scheduled vacation time off to help plant staff handle emergency situations. He will consistently stay late or come in early to complete sampling events that are mandated by TDEC. When a coworker was out for medical leave, he stepped up to help with those job duties as well.

Michael has also taken the lead in training new operators. He leads by example and can be counted upon to go above and beyond his job duties. He is always helpful and will drop whatever he is doing to answer the phone whenever another employee calls him for help, even on his days off work.

Working with Mike over the years has been a pleasure. He helps inspire the people around him to be their best. Michael is an asset to the Water Treatment Facility for the Town of Jonesborough.

 

Thank you, Michael Kincheloe! You are appreciated!

August 2023 Employee of the Month David Gillenwater

I would like to nominate David Gillenwater for Employee of the Month. David has worked for the Town of Jonesborough for 11 years. David does an excellent job of caring for the senior center and Lincoln Park. The pride he puts into all he does is a huge reason the senior center still looks brand new, seven and a half years later. He works very hard to maintain the center both inside and out and the above and beyond he gives comes from the heart. He cares about our members experience while they are here and he is always willing to lend a hand, jump start a car, whatever is needed. David never says that is not my job, he is a team player. In fact, David serves as our chef for our Cafe Connection program. On Wednesdays each week. the senior center provides a home cooked meal prepared in our kitchen. As we are working to change the dining experience for seniors, he makes this program a positive experience for our members. David works diligently maintaining the grounds of the senior center and now Lincoln Park: weeding, spraying, watering. He has jumped right in to help with plant care and staking trees. He helps out with our Master Gardner’s with the gardening efforts. David works well with everyone in the office, and I have never heard David get frustrated with anyone needing his help. He exemplifies the attitude that everything is our job and we are here for the members. David plays a key role in that ensuring that the members have a safe, clean and fun space to take part in the programs of their choice. These qualities make David Gillenwater a great candidate for Employee of the Month.

 

Thank you, David Gillenwater! You are appreciated!

July 2023 Employee of the Month Arthur Casey

I would like to recommend Arthur Casey for employee of the month for June 2023. Arthur has been employed by the Town of Jonesborough for 32 years and has shown to be sedulous and an artisan at his position. Arthur was recently promoted to Construction Supervisor and has evolved as a true leader with a meticulous attention to detail in all of Water Distributions line maintenance and construction affairs. Arthur is well respected by his colleagues for his leadership skills and his knowledge of our intricate water system and has a propensity to share his knowledge to the incoming neophytes at water distribution. You can always call Arthur day or night at any time and he is willing to give advice to the people on call or come in and help with the repair of the water line. Arthur was instrumental in getting Lincoln Parks toilets plumbed and installed again, showcasing his knowledge and his ability to help other departments when needed. Arthur also took out the old water heaters at Wetlands Park and plumbed in and installed two water heaters that were antiquated and were leaking: along with repairing several leaks the park had this year. These are just a few examples of what Arthur Casey does on a daily basis besides his regular job duties. His kindness and generosity go beyond his normal working hours into his personal time by helping others that may need help with any home repairs or mechanical issues.

These are the qualities that exemplify the traits of what Jonesborough, TN is known for and is expected by our residents and also what makes us flourish as a community.

 

Thank you, Arthur Casey! You are appreciated!

June 2023 Employee of the Month Shane Adkins

I would Like to nominate Fleet Dept Employee Shane Adkins for Employee of the Month.  The Fleet Department is one of the smallest departments in the Town of Jonesborough, with only 3 technicians serving 16 departments with over 200 vehicles and engine powered equipment, our schedule is tight.  Police vehicles are replaced every so many years which requires new vehicles coming in and being sent to specialized “Upfitters” that install all the equipment and fixtures necessary to create a truly customized Cruiser for the Police and Fire departments.  The budget was tight for the new vehicles and with a last-minute increase in prices by the “Upfitters”, equipping all the new vehicles would put the Police Department over budget on the new Units. Matt Rice approached Shane asking if he thought he could do the upfitting for the new Police Fleet.  Shane had been servicing the Police units already but hadn’t upfitted a unit yet.  He was given 2 units to prepare. Shane researched the necessary details online, and through a supplier of upfitter equipment and went to Washington Co. Sheriffs garage to clarify some questions he had about their units.  He started slow and spent a few weeks doing the first car, then the second car went a little better.  Along the way he improved the wiring design he was taught and came up with a better way to design the add on electrical system to support all the equipment to turn an Explorer into a Police unit.  Shane completed 10-unit upfits saving $1,500.00 each, adding up to $15,000.00 in labor savings.  He also saved the departments another $1,600.00 in shop supply charges.  Both combined 16,600.00 saved.  Another benefit is he knows everything about upfit work and that makes him the expert on our Police and Fire units.  In order to complete this task Shane worked overtime without complaint to complete this project on time. After the new units were completed, he also changed three Police unit into Fire units. A job well done!

 

Thank you, Shane Adkins! You are appreciated!

May 2023 Employee of the Month Glen Woodfin

For May 2023, I would like to nominate Street Department Employee Glen Woodfin for Employee of the Month. The Street Department is a small, multi-function group of men, tasked w/a plethora of projects with varying degrees of difficulty. Glen Woodfin is one of those folks who can do just about anything. Well beyond Glen’s regular job scope, he can do grade work and landscaping, framing and trim work, work with metal and steel, ceramic tile and flooring and much more. During our recent foray into the Lincoln Park project, Glen had a hand in most of the construction of the Park. Whereas I was more involved in the layout attributes of the structures, Glen was tasked with directing the crew in how to actually ‘construct’ the structures and features. On the Lincoln Park project alone, Glen was involved in wood and steel framing, setting the timbers for the Stage, construction of the block terraced beds, wood framing and trim of both buildings, grade work and landscape sculpting of the grounds, installing outdoor lighting, grading and asphalting of parking areas and about a hundred other items. To say that Glen was invaluable to the successful completion of Lincoln Park would the understatement of the century. There were so many moving pieces to the Lincoln Park project that our crew (and many others) were involved in. I just wanted to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on one of the key players in that large and complex project. Everyone involved in the Park project did a fantastic job, but I feel Glen Woodfin deserves a special word of recognition and ‘thanks’. For these reasons and many more, Glen Woodfin is my choice for Employee of the Month.

 

Thank you, Glen Woodfin! You are appreciated!

April Employee of the Month Malcolm Highsmith

We are nominating Malcolm Highsmith, Director of Streets for the April 2023 Employee of the Month.  Malcolm Highsmith exemplifies true leadership in his ability to lead the Street Crew (6 men) in all the job tasks they undertake.  The Street Department is often “pulled” to assist with projects for other Towns departments that results in them putting their own projects on hold for a period of time.  One example is the Lincoln Park Project that they have worked effortlessly and tirelessly on for several months in getting this wonderful park finished, alongside of several other departments as well. Most citizens of the Town of Jonesborough do not realize all the planning, organization and work it takes just for the regular operation of the Street Department in advance for the preparation of each of the four seasons by making sure equipment is operable, for example mower(s), leaf vacuum, snow removal equipment, staying on top of the weather in order to get the Street crew organized and to be ready to go and tackle whatever natural storm event comes our way;  (1) Summer – rights-of-way along all city streets have to be mowed, (2) Fall – leaf pick-up, and ordering salt to make sure there is enough in stock just in case we experience more snow and ice than we normally have during the winter months , (3) Winter – ice and snow removal, (4) Spring – making sure the “pot holes” are taken care of,  working with the Operations Manager and Town Administrator on developing a priority list of streets that need to be paved; as well as during weather events like heavy rains storms and winds – storm drains have to be checked and cleared and trees that fall across the road have to be removed.  Malcolm and the Street Department assists the Event Coordinator, Tourism & Main Street staff, Recreation and Public Safety Departments with the annual Special Events happening in town, i.e., Jonesborough Days, Storytelling Festival, the Jonesborough Days and Christmas parades, the half-marathon and 5-K races, by making sure safety cones and street blockades are put in place before each event.  Malcolm has a great attitude and expresses his concern toward his fellow employees by letting them know “you are doing a great job and keep up the good work”. Malcolm Highsmith demonstrates the quality of a great Town Employee and Department Head with a positive “can do” attitude and the effort and concern he puts forth for his crew and their safety in whatever job tasks they have to undertake at the spur of the moment, and prefers to remain in the background and that his CREW receives the praise for a “JOB WELL DONE!!!”

 

Thank you, Malcolm Highsmith! You are appreciated!

March Employee of the Month Tim Banner

For March 2023, I would like to nominate Street Department Employee Tim Banner for Employee of the Month.  The Street Department is a close-knit group of hard-working individuals comprising a great team.  Tim Banner adds qualities to the team that I would consider to be exemplary.  If you know Tim, you already know of his unflappable character.  Tim is a fine upstanding man, who showcases his character and integrity each day, on each project, and during each interaction.  Tim is the type employee that a department head enjoys having on his crew and project.  Tim completes each and every job or task, with a level of dedication that is rarely seen.  To say Tim is a ‘team player’ is a vast understatement.  Tim is a compassionate and kind soul who has a warm countenance as he meets with Town residents on animal control calls, or when he deals with the motoring public while providing traffic control, as Tim is our Animal Control officer as well as holding a central spot on the Street Department.  Whether in a dump truck or on a piece of equipment, driving a snow removal vehicle, or responding to yet another animal control issue…Tim Banner is ‘all in’ concerning the way he views his job.  Tim is always willing to help on any task or project, a solid citizen who adds value and depth to our tight knit Street Department team.  Tim is one of those folks you are proud to have representing your work unit, always having a positive attitude and ‘can do’ spirit.  Tim is responsible, dependable, considerate and mindful of co-workers… timely, skilled and a true asset to our Town.  Tim has been with the Town for 14 years, and has a solid record of excellent service, dutiful employment and the proper work ethic and attitude.  Tim Banner is my choice for Employee of the Month. Tim represents his work unit and our Town in fine fashion.  

 

Thank you, Tim Banner! You are appreciated!