­­City names Employee of the Month

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City Clerk Rona Martin, left, presents Leroy Rogers Senior Center Director Fran Kinchen, Site Manager Natasha Patrick and Building Supervisor Clayton Clark with gifts for their hard work and success at the senior center during Monday's regular City Council meeting. Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette

March 9, 2013

City names Employee of the Month

Latasha Everson CNHI The Tifton Gazette Sat Mar 09, 2013, 08:09 PM EST

TIFTON — Several individuals were recognized Monday evening at the regular City Council meeting.

Employees with the Leroy Rogers Senior Center were recognized for their great work and for making the center so successful. City Clerk Rona Martin thanked Director Fran Kinchen, Site Manager Natasha Patrick and Building Supervisor Clayton Clark for a job well done. The ladies were given flowers and Clark was given a gift bag.

“You’re a benchmark for the entire state,” Mayor Jamie Cater said. “You make us so proud.”

Clark was also recognized as the Employee of the Month for the city of Tifton. Martin stood and said she was happy because Clark is in her department. Kinchen did the honors by introducing Clark before presenting him with a certificate. She described him as being a hard worker and someone who never says, “This is not in my job description.”

She added, smiling, “You can find him working on the weekends.”

Kinchen told Clark, “We love you.”

As the audience stood and clapped while Clark received his certificate, he said, “Ms. Kinchen is by far the best boss I’ve ever had.”

He added about being an employee at the center, “I’ll be there until God says differently.”

Councilman Chris Parrott said, “I’m glad the Leroy Rogers is in my district. Fran, you do such a great job down there.”

He commended Patrick and Clark as well for their great work.

“I’m proud and tickled that you’re a part of the city,” Parrott said.

Also, Pamela Howell, the wife of the late former City Manager Charles “Charlie” Howell, presented the council with a $1,000 check to help with the Charles Howell Academy of Public Service (CHAPS) program, which was named in honor of her late husband.

The program is for individuals who have a sincere interest in Tifton’s community and want to be educated on how the local city government operates. The program is expected to begin in April. Applications can be e-mailed to the Tifton Police Department at raymondd@tifton.net, or dropped by the police department. Visit the city of Tifton’s website for the application. Seats are limited.

Cater thanked Howell for her contribution. He said it was Charles’ idea to introduce a citizen’s academy to the local community. He said Councilwoman Julie Smith also contributed.

Also, during the meeting, Tameka Blackshear was sworn in to the Tift Theatre Board by Cater, and Parrott commended ESG Operations, Inc. for the great work they have done. The city entered into an agreement with the company last November to take over operation of the local water and wastewater treatment systems.

“It’s a top-notch facility and great plant,” Parrott said. “It’s a mind-boggling process.”

He said ESG has been running a clean and safe operation.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.