By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Northumberland County council opened its July meeting with a virtual recognition of its long-time employees hitting years-of-service milestones.
This periodic celebration typically takes place at an in-person council meeting honourees are invited to attend, to receive the applause and token gift personally and circulate among all council members for congratulatory handshakes. At the July meeting – held virtually in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic – the 38 honourees were celebrated more quietly.
“Not quite the same as in real life, guys,” chief administrative officer Jennifer Moore admitted to those who had tuned in to the Zoom meeting, but she proceeded to read the names nonetheless.
Among those hitting the five-year mark are six employees from the Golden Plough Lodge, two from the Material Recovery Facility, and one each from project engineering, waste management and the economic-development departments.
Two employees from community and social services hit the 10-year mar, along with one from waste and three from Emergency Medical Services.
Four EMS employees can boast 15 years, along with one each from community and social services, the Golden Plough and the MRF.
Two paramedics achieved 20 years, along with two from the MRF and one from the Plough.
Finally, one Plough employee has now given 30 years of service.
Eight recent retirees were honoured, and Moore announced how many years each had worked prior to that landmark – two employees from community and social services (having worked 27 and 30 years), two from paramedics (after 30 and 31 years), two from the Plough (after 23 and 30 years), as well as one each from human resources (after 17 years) and the roads department (after 22 years).
“It’s important to recognize the dedication and hard work of our staff in service to the community, and this takes on extra significance in the months since COVID-19 hit our community,” Moore said.
“We have met recent challenges as a united team, and the strength of this collective effort has been inspiring.”
“As county warden, I have been able to see first-hand the incredible impact, passion and dedication,” Warden Bob Sanderson said.
“Thanks to your commitment to service to others, we are able to continue to provide quality services during these times of unprecedented changes and challenges.
“These have been difficult months for many of us,” the warden said.
“As staff, we have overcome both personal and professional challenges during these unprecedented times to delivery the services on which our residents rely.”
It would be a staggering sum if one took a moment to add up all those years of service, Sanderson added, “so – well done.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
