Fall 2011 GEM

IreneHurricane

Also:

Service Awards, Retirements,New Hires, Promotions, & more

Neighborhood Advisory Board

Fall 2011

Taking it to the Streets!

page 7

page 4

2 • greenville employee messenger • Fall 2011

Dear City Employees:

Best wishes to all City employees and their families for a safe and happy holiday season. As the year comes to an end, I want to take this opportunity on behalf of the Mayor, City Council, and citizens of Greenville to thank each of you for your efforts in continuing to provide high-quality, essential services to this community throughout 2011.

The economic conditions of the past three years have challenged City government. With your support, the City has been able to make the budget adjustments necessary to adapt to reduced revenues without any reduction in service levels or layoff of employees. Despite these financial challenges, the City Council this year granted a pay increase to all employees and approved a new compensation plan designed to keep employee salaries at the prevailing market rate.

When the wind and rain from Hurricane Irene impacted Greenville on August 27, 2011, City employees provided exceptional services to the community. Emergency crews responded throughout the storm to insure that essential public services were continued. Storm debris was removed in a timely manner so that the City could return to normal operations. Again, thanks to all City employees who contributed to the Hurricane Irene response and recovery.

This year the City and GUC will observe Monday, December 26, and Tuesday, December 27, as the official Christmas holidays. Please enjoy these days off work to be with your family and friends to celebrate this holiday season. For those employees who must work on these holidays because of their duties, please accept my sincere appreciation for your special service.

I look forward to working with all of you to continue to serve the citizens of Greenville during 2012.

Sincerely,

Wayne Bowers City Manager

December 26 & 27 Christmas

January 2 New Years

January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Upcoming Holidays

Manager’sMessage

Fall 2011 • greenville employee messenger • 3

Congratulations to 2nd Place Jason Palmatier (FR), 1st Place Billly Merrill (PW), and 3rd Place Rahual Thapar (FR) for winning the United Way Chili Cookoff.

Recreation and Parks’ Outstanding SeptemberIt was a busy September for the Recreation and Parks Department; not just for the tremendous number of activities they carry out or for their assistance in responding to Hurricane Irene, but for the awards they collected.

The North Carolina Chapter of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) gave the Department the honor of the Outstanding Parks and Recreation Department Award.

Greenville was recognized for hosting the Adult and Super Senior Championships as well as the Junior Team Championships within the same month this summer.

The USTA noted the Department’s commitment to tennis saying, “whether it was offering the tennis courts or assisting with the execution of tournaments, their commitment and dedication resulted in outstanding results time and time again.”

The Greenville Aquatics and Fitness Center was ranked fifth in the United States by the United States Water Fitness Association. Among many other high rankings,

the Aquatics and Fitness Center was ranked third in Overall Improvements and Positive Changes in the past year.

The Department also received the Community Partner Award from the Easter Seals/United Cerebral Palsy of North Carolina and Virginia as well as the Innovative Programming Award from the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association.

On an individual note, Deirtra Crandol received the 2011 Special Olympics Coastal Plains Area Local Coordinator of the Year Award.

Congratulations to all in Recreation and Parks on what was indeed a remarkable month of September.

Members of Recreation and Parks receive the Community Partner Award

From left to right: Scott Lineberger, Kevin Bumpass and Deirtra Crandol

Chris Hinson accepts the award from the United States Tennis Association

Congratulations to Willie McLawhorn (PW) for completing training and receiving the Manager of Environmental, Safety and Health (MESH) certificate from the MESH Board of Directors, NC Department of Labor, North Carolina State University and the Health and Safety Commission of North Carolina.Receiving the certificate requires 100 hours of in-class training and jobsite experience.


The City Swings in to Action for Irene

The winds picked up in the early morning hours of August 27, 2011. Crews were hunkered down, waiting for the full brunt of the storm to hit. And then the rains came. Trees went down, the power went out, and still the City worked to serve and protect our city and its residents.

During the storm, Fire-Rescue officers braved the conditions to rescue more than 20 people in need. Police officers closed streets and responded to calls for service as well. Public Works crews ventured out to clear streets, braving storm conditions, downed trees and downed power lines to keep traffic flowing. Behind the scenes, the Emergency Operations Center was buzzing handling calls and coordinating responses.

City Manager Wayne Bowers had this to say about the effort made during the storm itself, “We certainly are appreciative of all the work you did.” He continued, “It really takes special folks to be out there in that storm.” Bowers also commented on all of the positive feedback from city residents, saying that people were continually calling to say how impressed they were with the speed in which the work was being done.

More than 12 hours later, the storm finally passed. When it did, City staff were ready for the clean-up. As storm totals came in, it became obvious that this would be no quick clean-up.

The clean-up was a collaborative effort mostly between the Public Works and Recreation and

Parks Departments. City debris crews, partnering with contracted crews, worked through the weekends and moved more than 3000 loads to the landfill. Volunteers from Community Development, Recreation and Parks, and Public Works helped monitor the contractors to ensure guidelines were followed so that the City would be reimbursed by FEMA. Traffic Services staff replaced signs and repaired traffic signals to help keep the streets safe and traffic flowing. Buildings and Grounds employees helped to clear the streets and make sure all City-owned properties were safe and secure. City engineers inspected buildings to make sure they were safe to be occupied and monitored various waterways and drainage areas. Administrators worked tirelessly to ensure all paperwork was completed accurately and that City employees who assisted in the clean-up were compensated accurately.

Chief Bill Ale and Lt. Charles Tripp conduct a briefing for the Emergency Operations Center staff at the beginning of a

new operational period.

City employees braving the elements to keep the streets clear

Public Works employees clean up after Irene


Hopefully, a storm like Irene will not impact this region for a long time, but when it does, it’s nice to know that the City of Greenville can rely on the employees to do what needs to be done to keep the city clean, safe and secure.

more pictures on page 9


United Way Campaign by Dale Mills (PD)The employees’ 2011 United Way campaign ended on November 3rd at City Hall with all contributors invited to the end-of-campaign celebration. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and drawings for assorted gift cards from various Greenville businesses. Carlos Ochoa (PD) won the grand prize of one paid day of leave given by the City Manager.

This year, City employees raised $52,894.62 through payroll deductions, one-time gifts, and participating in various fundraisers. That’s something for each of us to be proud of. With the economic climate still in a state of despair, it is encouraging to see our employees remain steadfast to give back financially to the community we serve.

As we feel the pinch of these economic times, so do the organizations that operate on charitable contributions. The need to give is there now more than ever. Imagine our quality of life without the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels for

the disabled, and the list goes on.

United Way continues to be the best distribution center of charitable funds to these various organizations. These funds enrich our lives, the lives of others we know, and even those who we don’t know in their most difficult times.

I am pleased at the tireless efforts of the 2011 United Way committee. They worked very hard to make it a successful year. Their planning of events to continue the momentum of the excitement was the ingredients to a successful year.

My co-chair this year, Nancy Gossett, was an invaluable resource to the campaign. She will become the chair for the 2012 campaign as I rotate off. I encourage all to support her efforts of continuing our record of being a pacesetter for others to follow.

Community Development receives Marvin Collins AwardThe Community Development Department received the 2011 North Carolina Marvin Collins Planning Award this October in the category of Community Development from the American

Planning Association for the Department’s West Greenville Gateway Project.

The Marvin Collins Planning Award recognizes the City’s commitment to “servicing low-income neighborhoods and disadvantaged minority communities through the use of community

development plans or projects.”

The award was presented on October 6 to Merrill Flood, Community Development Director; Carl Rees, Project Manager; James Harper, President of the C.M. Eppes Alumni Association; Mark Garner, of Rivers and Associates; and former Rivers and Associates intern, Ronald Sessoms on behalf of the project’s committee and the entire Department.

From left to right: James Harper, Ronald Sessoms, Carl Rees (CD), Merrill Flood (CD), Mark Garner


Neighborhood Advisory Board: Taking it to the Streets!

By Laura Searfoss (CD)As a 10-person board with additional representatives from neighborhoods across the city of Greenville, the Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) acts as a bridge between city residents and local government. To do that successfully, NAB member Brenda Diggs says, “the NAB is taking it to the streets!”

In additional to its regular monthly meetings, the NAB hosted two district-wide community meetings since July 2011 (in City Council districts 2 and 5), and hopes to host meetings in districts 1, 3, and 4 in 2012. These meetings give residents an opportunity to meet the NAB members, learn about organizing neighborhood associations, and most importantly, share concerns and solutions with the board and City staff.

NAB members are gaining a better perspective of the issues that affect neighborhoods across the city. Traffic safety emerged as a common theme among residents in both districts 2 and 5, although residents’ requests to remedy their concerns differed.

Residents of one neighborhood asked for new “No Parking” signs near a neighborhood entrance, which the Public Works Department installed about 2 weeks after the meeting. In another neighborhood, residents asked for speed bumps to help cut down on speeding on neighborhood streets; Public Works is currently assessing the feasibility of installing them.

The NAB also invites City staff or other community experts to educate the board and its membership on useful or interesting information and build helpful partnerships. In August 2011, Dr. Misun Hur of East Carolina University’s Geography Department presented her preliminary research on citizens’ overall satisfaction with their respective neighborhood associations (good

news: most residents are aware of and satisfied with their neighborhood associations!). Students from Dr. Hur’s planning class facilitated the NAB’s October meeting in District 5 alongside NAB members.

In 2012, the NAB looks forward to continuing its district-wide meetings; helping more residents form neighborhood associations; and partnering with other city boards, including the Police Community Relations Committee to host a neighborhood watch workshop and the Human Relations Council as co-sponsors of the second annual Neighborhood Idea Exchange.

The Neighborhood Advisory Board holds a community meeting

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M/WBE Program Celebrated MED Week by Denisha Harris (FS)Did you know in 2002, there were 4 million minority-owned (including women-owned) firms in the US, grossing $661 billion in receipts and employing 4.7 million workers? According to the US Department of commerce, in Greenville alone, there are more than 600 minority-owned firms. Despite the significant economic impact of minority–owned firms in the US - and even our Greenville community - the contributions of these firms go largely unnoticed.

Started in 1983, Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) is a national celebration designed to recognize the accomplishments of the M/WBE community. For the second year in a row, the City & GUC’s M/WBE Program has held a celebration to acknowledge the accomplishments of our local minority- and women-owned firms.

This year’s MED week was held September 26-30. Mayor Dunn kicked off the celebration with a proclamation on Monday, followed by a Twitter event called “Follow Me” Tuesday, where the

M/WBE Coordinator tweeted M/WBE facts such as those above. Next, the Purchasing Manager, Angelene Brinkley, facilitated a workshop on “How to do Business with Government” on Wednesday. A celebration and awards luncheon

were held on Thursday at the Hilton Greenville; President of the NC Institute of Minority Economic Development, Andrea Harris, delivered the keynote address.

The M/WBE Program was pleased to give three M/WBE Awards presented by our honored guest, Congressman G.K. Butterfield: GK Café and Catering, winner of the M/WBE Excellence Award, and Owen Burney and Raymond Carney each won the “Standing on the Shoulders of

Giants” Award. The week culminated on Friday with the inaugural “Diversity Marketplace” event, a special opportunity for participating M/WBE firms to offer patrons a 10% discount to all who mentioned “Diversity Marketplace.”

Thank you to all of our MED Week Sponsors: Pitt County Development Commission, NC Institute of Minority Economic Development, The Daily Reflector, PGProduction, and Jim Rouse Communications.

Congressman G.K. Butterfield presents an award

2012 Blood Drive Locations

February 1 Public Works

April 4 Aquatics and Fitness Center

June 6 & 7 Greenville Utilities

August 8 Public Works

Come and give the gift of life


Several Greenville Police Department employees and their family members participated in the Warrior Dash on October 1st in Charles City, VA. The 5k race is a mental and physical challenge,

including various obstacles such as mud pits, fire walls, cargo nets, and more.

Pre-race From Top Left: Marcia Perkins (PCSO), Robert Wright (PD), Amber Wright, Melody Wright, Christopher Wright, Kelly Lecompte, Nate Lecompte (PD), William Bonner (PD). Bottom Row From Left; Kolenya Edwards (PD), W.G. Smith (PD),

Kristian Williams (PD)Post-Race from top left: William Bonner (PD), Nathan Lecompte (PD), Amber Wright, Kristian Williams (PD); Bottom Row

From Left: Tate Smith (PD), Kolenya Edwards (PD), Kelly Lecompte, Christopher Wright

(continued)


City of Greenville Partners with Pitt County SchoolThe City of Greenville and South Greenville Elementary School are partnering to create an exciting new program to benefit City employees and students. This partnership allows regular full-time City employees to take one paid hour per work week (plus travel time to and from the school) to volunteer at the school.

Employees will have the chance to work first-hand with students as mentors, creating bonds and positive influences that may help keep students in school and working for a better future.

If working closely with the kids is not your thing, you can help shelve books, assist a teacher, or help out in the office. Either way, you’re helping give the school the resources and support that might not otherwise be available.

South Greenville Elementary School is located on Howell Street (just around the corner from the Public Works complex). More than 80% of their students receive free or reduced lunch. Students who come from poor economic backgrounds are more likely to drop out of school and commit crimes. These children need caring people who can be that positive influence they may not be getting enough of at home. That’s where City employees come in.

South Greenville Elementary Principal Shawnda Cherry has seen the effects of mentoring on her students, stating, “We know our students will feel more confident when a caring adult takes a genuine interest in their progress or just comes to be their lunch buddy.”

This program is the result of the City Council’s goals to promote effective partnerships in the community. The City Manager’s Office has spearheaded the program and worked with South Greenville Elementary and Pitt County Schools to create this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these young children.

Assistant City Manager Thomas Moton saw for himself the profound effect programs like this have on a student’s development when he served as a mentor years ago. “The student’s grades went up, their confidence went up,” said Moton. “The relationships with teachers and other students improved dramatically.”

Cherry added, “The relationships that will form as a result of this partnership will be priceless.”

“Looking back,” said Moton, “I’m not sure who got more out of the program, me or the student.”

South Greenville Elementary already has a strong connection with the City of Greenville. The Police Department

runs a summer enrichment program. The school uses the South Greenville Recreation Center. This program will give employees the opportunity to participate in this relationship.

Moton encourages employees to join the City in creating a lasting, positive partnership with South Greenville Elementary, saying, “It’s amazing how each of us can make even the smallest difference in a child’s life.”

The program is currently available only to full-time employees. For more information about this program and what you can do to help out, contact Thomas Moton at 329-4430.


Monday, December 12, is the last “Lunch and Learn” about payroll deductions for your

Traditional or Roth IRAs.

Where: Jaycee Park AuditoriumWhen: December 12, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

You will also have an opportunity to have an individual appointment with an

advisor from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

If you are interested in attending, contact Robert Kasey in Human Resources at 329-4491.

Last Meeting for your Retirement Planning

Holiday Stress SeminarThe seminar, provided by Leah

Futrell (HR) and CIGNA, will teach you ways to manage holi-

day stress and keep a positive outlook during those cold winter

months.

Thursday, December 15, 2011Gardner Training Center

11:00 AM to 12:00 PMEmail Bob Kasey or call

him at 329-4491 to register. The registration deadline is

December 9, so don’t delay.

City of Greenville, NC

City of Greenville, NC

Sure you work for the City, but do you know what people in all the departments really do?

Do people ask you about things the City is doing but you don’t know what to tell them?

Do you just want to know more about the organization you work for?

Then you need to take the City’s Citizens’ Academy!This seven-week course will take you all around the

city to learn more about how the City operates.Registration begins on Feb. 1, and Classes begin on

March 20.Call 329-2489 for more information.

YOUR SECOND CHANCE!

Hurricane Irene forced the 8K Road Race to move to March.

Here’s your chance to get some friends together and train together for this

fun way to help the arts and sciences here in Greenville.

Register to run by yourself, in a two-person relay, or in the one-mile fun run. Bring the kids along to race in the 100-yard dash.

Saturday, March 10, 2012. Registration and race information available at www.grpd.info.


Jonathan EdwardsLonnie GrahamJoseph DavisJeffrey BaxterStephen PylesAugustus EtheridgeMichael McCoyBrandon PeeblesJonathan CurryDiane JohnsonGregory AllenWayne HarrisMilton WorthingtonRobert BakalarJohnny Grimsley

August Dept. October Dept. Rebecca SzalajAdam LeggettCaitlyn ChurchBrian TewSandra AndersonBobby StainbackLisa ChristCharles TrippJames DeansJeffrey BuffaloeKaren GilkeyDouglas JonesMarion MillsLinwood DanielsShelton Harris

September Dept. Angel MaldonadoAntonio JenkinsRhonda Wilkerson

August to October 2011

Christy Mitchell (PD) on the passing of her grandmother

KZ Edwards (PD) on the death of her father

Eric Robinson (PD) on the passing of his sister

Chuck Rogerson (PD) on the death of his father

Ken Thompson (PD-ret) on the passing of his father

Billy Futrell (PW) on the death of his father

Eric Smith (FR) on the passing of his grandmother

Tim Greene (PD) on the death of his father

Jimmy Edmundson (PW) on the passing of his father

Gary Davis (PD) on the death of his stepson

Darrell Dorsey (PD) on the passing of his sister

Danny Spencer (PW) on the death of his father

August to November 2011

Rudy Oxendine (PD) and his wife Tina on the birth of their daughter

Renee Dunn (FS) and her husband on the birth of their daughter, Kiley Nicole

Brandon Peebles (PD) and his wife Jennifer on the birth of their daughter, Emery Grace

Mike Graham (FR) and wife Alison on the birth of their daughter, Dulcie Jo

Lynn Raynor (PW) and his wife Alethia on the birth of their daughter, Edith Abigail

Tracey Hinds (PD) on the birth of her daughter, Jaylen Marie

New Family August to November 2011

and toChristy Newsome (now Mitchell)(PD) who married Steve Mitchell on August 20, 2011

FAMILY NEWS

Congratulations to:

Our Condolences

Service AniversariesYearsYearsYears

CMO 5PW 5PD 10PD 10PD 10PD 10PD 10PD 10PD 20PD 25FR 25FR 25FR 25FR 25PW 30

PW 5PW 10CAO 20

PD 5PD 5PD 5RP 5CD 5PD 10FR 15FR 15FR 15PD 15CD 15PW 20PW 25PW 25PW 25


April Spurill (CMO) Edwin Gipson (RP) Emmanuel Moore(PD) Lamont Burum (PW)

Michael Leggett (PW) Timothy Slade (PW) William Groseclose (PD)

Drop by Drop: The Long-Term Impact of Subtle Incidents of DiscriminationGain an awareness of the little things that can eat away at working relationships

Communication Cornerstones: Building Trust The eight principles for building or rebuilding trust in the workplace.

Inclusiveness: The Strengths and Challenges of a Four Generation Workforce Bridging the gap between generational communication styles.

Upcoming Traning DatesDecember 7: Review of Situational Leadership Pronciples

December 8: Drop by Drop: The Long-term Imact of Subtle Incidents of Discrimination

December 15: Managing Stress

December 15: Communication Cornerstones: Building Trust

December 16: Inclusiveness: The Strengths and Challenges of a Four Generation Workforce

December 20: Review of Situational Leadership Principles

For more information about these and other training opportunities, visit the HR Department page on Cognet or contact Bob Kasey at 329-4491

Upcoming Training Opportunities

New Employees August - October 2011


August t0 October 2011Service Awards


In the next GEM...

RetirementsRetirements August to October 2011

Documents

Fall 2011 GEM