EMPLOYEE EDGE SPRING 2019 ISSUE
Momma Green Retires
Learn more about the HR Specialist and what makes her so special!
Check out our new article series on DNS!
Kickboxing and water?
Find out what city employee is kicking it, both for the city and in the gym.
SPARK IN THE PARK Check out the pictures from the event, it was a blast!
UPDATES FROM AROUND THE CITY New hires, birthdays, events, activities, and more!
UNITY PRIDE ENGAGEMENT
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SOME OF THE ARTICLES INSIDE
08 New faces of Weatherford!
OLEN AREY
SANDRA GREEN
Check out all the new additions to the city since our Winter issue!
Assistant Director of Municipal and Community Services Employee Spotlight
Human Resources Specialist Celebrating Momma Green
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Police Dept. Update Check out some of the amazing this happening in our PD this last quarter.
CHAD MARBUT
MONTY EDWARDS
Civil Engineer Employee Spotlight
Water Utilities Supervisor 2 Coin Winner
24 Employee Birthdays Check out all of the employee birthdays we have to celebrate!
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32 Employee Olympics See some of the snapshots from our 3rd annual Employee Olympics!
JUSTIN GALES Circulation Supervisor Employee Spotlight
FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE Check out some of the exciting and fun things that are happening across the city!
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DNS Feature Article
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From the Vault
You won’t want to miss our newest article on an exciting department!
See what bit of history City Secretary Malinda was able to dig up for us this issue!
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Employee Anniversaries
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Spark in the Park
Check out the amazing milestones that employees are celebrating access the city!
Check out some images from our Spark in the Park!
Weatherford Leadership Message from Blake Rexoat
Director of Communications & Marketing We are already into the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, can you believe we are already into July? We have continued to update and revamp our award-winning Employee Edge, to feature YOU, our employees and highlight some of the awesome things happening across departments. Of course, our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube) continue to be the place to stay up-todate on events and changes with the city. Through the use of our social media accounts and livestreams on our cable channel (Charter/Spectrum 190) and Facebook we are better able to engage with residents and spotlight the hard work that our employees do daily.
Blake Rexroat Director od Communications & Marketing The Employee Edge is published by the City of Weatherford, Texas. wwww.weatherfordtx.gov 303 Palo Pinto St. | Weatherford, TX | 76086
E.E. Creative Team
Communications & Marketing
Blake Rexroat
Communications & Marketing
Nicole Wright
Summer Rose
Sandra Green
Krista Peacock
Malinda Nowell
Human Resources
Administration
Human Resources
Administration
EMPLOYEE EDGE
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SANDRA GREEN
SPOTLIGHT FEATURE HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST SAYING GOODBYE TO MOMMA GREEN AFTER 20 YEARS!
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an you describe what exactly your position with the city is? HR is the first point of contact most applicants/employees have with the City. It is our job to send them for their drug screen and physical if their position requires one. We sign the employee up for their benefits like health insurance, dental insurance and retirement. We have to enter each employee into the payroll system so they can
receive a pay-check. We also help with any other questions they may have about their deductions, direct deposit, insurance and anything else they need help with. We are also the last point of contact with employees when they are ready to retire with any question they may have. And when the employee is ready to retire, we do their paperwork for that. Just remember there are no dumb questions!!!!
How long have you been with the city? 20 years and within that time I have processed a lot of employees starting for the City, and a lot who have left or retired (or will be retiring)!
What did you do before landing your job with the city? I have always been in HR/Payroll throughout my career. Along with HR/PR some places I have worked I also handled Accounts Payable. But the job I had right before I started with the City, I was Office Manager for CamelBak! I truly enjoyed working there because it was a family owned business. The owner sold the business to a company out of California and they moved the business there in September of 1999.
Sandra and Summer Rose enjoying a cool day outside!
What made you choose your career path? I really kind of fell into it! My first full time job I was an Assistant Manager for a clothing store, I had to handle hiring, firing and employee issues. I really enjoyed working with the employees and out of all of my other duties as the Assistant Manager the HR/PR duties seem to click. So, every job over the last 40 years has been, in some way, in the HR/PR path.
Sandra took a break from giving a tour at Chandor Gardens to rest in the shade!
What do you love (did you love) about your job? The employees! I love helping/taking care of people. I really want the employees to feel like they are family to me. HR is the employees first contact with the City and I want them to leave our office feeling welcomed, and that they are part of the City of Weatherford family.
*Photos provided by Nicole Wright
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SANDRA GREEN
Continued... Where is your favorite place in Weatherford? My favorite place is actually in the county outside Weatherford city limits. Jon and I were blessed by being able to live on a 5,000-acre working cattle ranch. It was where Jon proposed to me and where our kids grew up. The sunsets were amazing, the baby calves that were being weaned crying for their mommas sung us to sleep at night. We had picnics, swam in the secret pond and raised 4-H projects there. It was magical living on the River Bluff Ranch and raising our family there.
What do you find most interesting about Weatherford? Its history! I really enjoy hearing old stories and reading about the history of Weatherford and Parker County!
If you could have any job in the world (no limitations) what would you do? *Photos provided by Nicole Wright
I think I would love to work at a flower shop. I worked as a florist during high school and for a little while after I graduated. I enjoyed making arrangements for customers and to watch their excitement when they picked up their flowers! I still enjoy making arrangements! I have made several for my home. I have also made arrangements for both of my daughter’s weddings!
Do you have any hobbies or areas of interest and what are they?
*Picture provided by Kerri Sanderson
I love sewing, gardening, and working with flowers (real or silk). I also like to bake with my girls & my grand-girls especially during the holidays!
Do you have a favorite quote? “And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A rope of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12. This bible verse speaks volumes about your relationships between spouses and even friends. As long as you have God in the relationship it will be as strong as the rope with three strands!
*Picture provided by Kerri Sanderson
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What type of music best describes you? Well, if you ask Jon he would say if you can dance to it, I like it. My daughter in law bought me a framed sign that says, “This kitchen is made for dancing”. Jon and I often will just start dancing around the house when there is music playing! I really don’t have a favorite genre of music……I listen to praise and worship, country, southern rock, & blue grass. I like a little bit of everything.
What is the next big adventure for Momma Green? Jon and I are going to Alaska at the end of August for two weeks. It’s a double celebration of our wedding anniversary and my retirement! We also have a 5th wheel RV and plan on traveling around!
What else would you like everyone to know about you? I am probably the oldest groupie in Parker County! There is this really good-looking drummer that I have a huge crush on that plays drums at the church I attend. He is an amazing drummer and I’ve had the privilege of helping him set up and tear down his drums. I know I’ll love Jon “Grain” for the rest of my life! I am the blessed Nana of four incredible grand-kids: Cooper, Tinley, Lily and Camilla. Also, the proud parent of four wonderful kids: Julia, Brandon, Stephan & Sara and one sweet daughter in law Nicki and two indescribable sons in law Tim and Skipper! My cup truly runs over with blessings!
*Picture provided by Kerri Sanderson
*Photo provided by Nicole Wright
*Picture provided by Blake Rexroat
EMPLOYEE EDGE
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WELCOME
NEW HIRES
COLE BURNS IT SPECIALIST IT
KRAYMER HARBOLD FIREFIGHTER/EMT FIRE DEPARTMENT
JEFFREY PAYNE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
DEVELOPMENT & NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
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EDWARD FAAMATAU II WATER MAINTENANCE WORKER I WATER UTILITIES
RHONDA NAVARRO TELECOMMUNICATION OFFICER POLICE DEPARTMENT
JAMES PITTMAN POLICE OFFICER POLICE DEPARTMENT
WELCOME
NEW HIRES
MARCUS REDINGTON LIGHT EQUIPMENT OPERATOR STREETS
DAKOTA STROUD FIREFIGHTER/EMT FIRE DEPARTMENT
ANTHONY RICHARDSON MAINTENANCE WORKER CONSTRUCTION
ROBERT WEBER SERVICES MANAGER FLEET
EMPLOYEE EDGE
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EMPLOYEE EDGE
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Employ
Do you have a favorite quote? “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” -Thomas Edison
What did you do before landing your job with the city? Went to college. I was a fulltime athlete in college and did not really have time to work a real job. What made you choose your career path? I could give you the typical “hard work, dedication, drive, etc.” and all of that would be true, but honestly, a lot of it came down to luck! I started with the City on the back of a garbage truck because I needed a job. It was fun, but I wasn’t going to do it forever. Then I got promoted up to Heavy Equipment Operator and that was a very fun job. As long as you could handle your business there was minimal supervision needed, you could speak with members of the community and make their day better by just taking 5 minutes to have a genuine conversation with them. After doing that for a while I started looking at other career paths and got offered the position of Manger of Municipal and Community Services by my former director, Steve Bates, and the rest is history.
What do you love about your job? It is what I love most and despise most to be honest, the unpredictability. With overseeing so many different divisions you never know what you are going to be doing. You could come in and be in a suit and tie and have meetings with administration or I could come in and have to jump on a brush truck and help them get caught up after a storm (which doesn’t happen very often), or going down to the Animal Shelter and help load up a pig that was adopted (That was about a month ago). What do you find most interesting about Weatherford? Well, I was born and raised here, so I have been able to see a lot of the growth that has gone on in the town. But, even with the growth Weatherford has been able to keep its close-knit community feel. It is hard to go out at lunch and not run into somebody you know or went to school with.
Do you have any personal goals for yourself?
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Well, by the time this gets published I will be a first-time father, so the biggest goal I have for myself will be to be good at that. Hopefully I only drop my son once, because we are all given one free drop, right!?
yee Sptlight I don’t have a specific favorite place in Weatherford, but I love spending time in our parks. Holland Lake, Cartwright, Love Street, and Weatherford Lake are some of my favorite places to be. Often, I will go buy a quick bite to eat on my lunch break and run to one of the parks and do a little fishing just to reset my mind for the afternoon. If you could have any job in the world (no limitations) what would you do? Have you ever seen the show Meat Eater? That would be a dream come true. Being able to travel the world hunting, fishing, hanging out with friends and sharing your experiences with the world.
where you can escape all the hustle and bustle of today’s world and recharge your batteries.
*Photo provided by Nicole Wright
Where is your favorite place in Weatherford?
Olen Arey
Assistant Director of Municipal and Community Services
What else would you like everyone to know about you? I don’t know that I want to let the secret out, but when we are in meetings with administration and they lump together “the millennials” I am always left out of that group even though I am younger then the ones they tend to target. I’ll take that as a compliment though! What type of music best describes you? I would say Country. Easy going, you can have a good time listening to it, but it drives some people crazy.
Can you describe your position? I assist in overseeing Animal Services, Facilities Maintenance, Custodial, Fleet Maintenance, and Solid Waste and Recycling divisions with the City of Weatherford. We call ourselves “the junk drawer of the City.” It’s a group of departments that don’t necessarily fit together but are all integral parts of the organization.
I love sports. Soccer is my favorite followed up closely by football. Go Cowboys! I also enjoy hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, and pretty much anything involved in the outdoors. One of my favorite things to do is kayak down the Brazos river. There is a beautiful 20 mile stretch below Possum Kingdom
*Photo provided by Olen Arey
Do you have any hobbies or areas of interest and what are they?
Family feature! Olen, Tennie, and Archer! EMPLOYEE EDGE
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*Photos proided by Office Paul Tumlin
Weatherford Police Department Check out some of the amazing things that the Weatherford Police Department had going on in the last few months!
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Graduation Time
Summer Camp!
In April of 2019, Sergeant Stewart Chalmers graduated from the 454th School of Police Staff and Command. The intensive 10 week program prepares law enforcement leaders for senior positions by combining academic principles with practical application. The school is conducted by The Northwestern University Center for Public Safety and was hosted by the Fort Worth Police Department. Sergeant Chalmers began his career in Law Enforcement in 2001 with Abilene Police Department before coming to Weatherford Police Department in 2006. Sergeant Chalmers is a great asset to our department and we are fortunate to have him serving our community. Pictured from L to R, Chief Lance Arnold, Commander Pat Mahoney, Sergeant Stewart Chalmers, Deputy Chief Chris Crawford, Commander David Smith)
The Jr. Academy is held every summer and gives youth in our community the opportunity to experience different aspects of Law Enforcement. This camp is free and offers cadets the experience riding ATVs, driving a patrol car, firearms safety, and riding with an Officer on patrol. This camp is a great opportunity for any youth who have an interest in Law Enforcement. This year 10 cadets from area high schools that attended the camp.
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Return Home Safe Program
Officer Bumpas and K9 Bruce
Weatherford Police Department’s Return Home Safe Program is designed to protect our more senior community members and those of any age who may have special needs both medically and/or mentally. The program works by storing an individual’s information and photo in case of an emergency. Instead of having dispatch ask the reporting party a multitude of questions, the person can simply notify dispatch that the person in need is in the program and provide their name. Dispatch can then immediately retrieve all the individual’s information and an updated photo of the person to distribute it to emergency personnel. This is especially helpful when the person in need has wandered away from a guardian or care taker. Since starting the program, other departments have implemented it to better serve their communities as well.
Pictured is K9 Officer Chris Bumpas and his partner Bruce. Officer Bumpas started his career in law enforcement with the Weatherford Police Department in January of 2016. Bumpas quickly learned that he had a passion for patrol and had an interest in becoming a K9 Officer. Thanks to a grant from K9’s for Cops, Officer Bumpas and Bruce became partners in October of 2018 and began their 9-week training together at the Houston K9 Academy. After their training, they began to serve our community as a team in December of 2018. Officer Bumpas and Bruce have both shown incredible work ethic and dedication to serving the citizens of Weatherford. EMPLOYEE EDGE
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What is that building over there and why is it taking so long? By Melissa Winn Coordinator Development & Neighborhood Services I have an idea!
It happens to every single one of us at one time or another. We’re in the grocery store, a restaurant or at a sporting event in Weatherford and someone who knows we work at the city says, “So, what’s the city doing there on Main Street next to the Wal-Mart?” or “Why is that convenience store taking so long to open? Is the city holding them up for something?” You comb through your memory banks and try to remember if there was an email or something about it but, alas, you answer with a shrug and confess that you really don’t know and make a mental note to check into it the next time you get back to work. Questions like this are common in a growing city. There are projects going on virtually everywhere you turn and mostly everyone speculates what it could be until a sign goes up or you hop on Facebook and get the low-down from Blake and Nicole (and sometimes me). But I bet you didn’t know that for nearly every project, there has more than likely been a ton of work going on behind the scenes between our planning and building department, along with our electric, engineering, streets, capital projects, economic development and water/wastewater departments, to name a few, for months. That’s because every project in the city, whether we initiate it or not, goes through us. In an attempt to help everyone understand how a Panera or KFC comes to fruition, I will be writing a series of articles that addresses one aspect of the development process over the next few issues of the Employee Edge. I promise to put it into the simplest of terms but as I’m sure you know, not every project fits into a specific box. Some projects need more, some projects need less but my goal is to at least be able to possibly explain what might be happening and/or at least know where you can send people to get the information. In order for anything to make sense, you have to know what happens in the beginning. So, let’s start at the beginning.
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Usually the first step in the process is for a developer or owner to contact someone in our office at Old City Hall and let us know what they’re looking to do with a piece of property they own or are looking to own. At that point, if it’s raw land (land that has not been previously developed) we set them up with a Development Review Committee (DRC) meeting. These meetings are held once a week on Thursday and consist of representatives from every department that is involved in the process i.e. planning, building, electric, engineering, water/wastewater and sometimes animal services and consumer health. This meeting is where the developer or owner has a chance to ask questions about what they need to do to get the land ready for what it is they are ultimately looking to do. In some cases, not a lot is needed and in others, there are major improvements that need to happen before an idea can become a reality. Whichever the case, this initial meeting is usually the first interaction the city has with a potential project. Keep in mind that the DRC meeting is an informal setting. Normally, no applications for platting, permitting or grading are filed that day. It is simply an exploratory meeting for both sides to share information about a particular piece of land. Out of the 12 clients seen each month, more than half turn in applications and begin a commercial or residential subdivision project somewhere in the city. Why does it take so long?
One of the many questions we get is why does it take so long for a project to start and/finish? That’s not an easy question to answer but the main answer is, it’s not our project. We may be a part of certain aspects when it comes to approving plans or conducting inspections but the reality is, things happen that have nothing to do with the city.
If the property needs to be platted, that can take anywhere from 30 days to 60 days and sometimes longer, depending on the applicant’s response to needed revisions. A plat is basically a drawn-to-scale map of a certain property that shows boundary lines, roads, easements, etc. If someone wants to combine property, sell off parts of a property or build on a piece of land, a plat is often-times necessary. After a plat application is submitted, it is reviewed by several departments within 10 business days. Any noted changes needed, commonly called comments, are forwarded to the applicant for correction. It is at this point that we are reliant on the applicant to submit those revisions in order to keep the project moving. On rare occasions, a plat can be submitted and not need any revisions at all. Once the plat is approved, it is then filed and recorded with the Parker County Clerk’s Office. Once this process is completed, the applicant is now ready to submit for permits that can range from grading to site development and eventually building. Again, an exact time frame on how long this takes can vary wildly by project.
quarter. In that case, the building could be ready to go in February but they won’t open until April because that is how they operate. Or, it could be they only open on the 5th of a particular month and that date has passed. Whatever the reason may be, we at the city do our best to make sure final inspections, certificate of occupancy and other final items are not the reason for the delay of a project, pending those inspections are passed. Finally, zoning could be something that can delay the start of a project if it is necessary to be changed or amended for a certain use. This process can take between 45-60 days and is presented before the Planning & Zoning Commission and Council for approval or denial. Why does it take so long?
Zoning is the designation of a property and its allowable use. Properties can be zoned agricultural, residential, commercial or industrial, each in varying degrees. In the next issue, I plan to cover zoning and its role in keeping the City of Weatherford’s growth in line with the city’s goals are.
Weather can also play an important part in delaying a project. Rain, wind, heat, etc. can wreak havoc on construction so even though the plans may be approved, construction may not be able to start. Finances, material shortages, plan changes, staffing issues and a myriad of other issues can also stop a project dead in its tracks. Another reason could be a company’s philosophy on when they want to open. Let’s say you have Company X and they only open at the beginning of a fiscal
Don’t miss the next installment in our next Employee Edge to learn more about Development & Neighborhood Services.
Photo credit: Envato Elements
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WORK We are so thankful for all of the hard work and energy our employees put into their work every day. Check out the milestones that some of your fellow Weatherford employees reached in the past quarter!
30 Years Mike Kolanek
Travis Sharp
20 Years Jason Goff
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ANNIVERSARIES 15 Years Cameron Hale
Pat Cherryhomes
10 Years Bryan Smith Gwedolyn Dowds-Nash
Paul Rust
5 Years Monica Butturini Nathan Lee Kenneth Glover
Austin Patterson Frank Watson II
THANK YOU! EMPLOYEE EDGE
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT CHAD MARBUT Do you have a favorite Civil Engineer
quote?
Well, I work in what we call the Capital Projects Department. Basically, that means I am involved in any kind of new construction having to do with roadways, signals, drainage improvement, hike/bike trails etc. Because this type of work impacts almost every aspect of our community, I get to coordinate and work with just about every department here at the city in some way, which is really cool. The majority of my time is spent on developing our programs and projects, working out funding mechanisms, and then executing the bidding and construction process. At this point I have a lot in construction, so a normal day would consist of site visits/inspections, coordinating field decisions to the contractors and consultants, reviewing and routing pay applications, and any other administrative obligations we have. With any project there are always challenges or issues that come up along the way, my job is to manage those appropriately and get us to the finish line. The other really important side of what I do is represent the city at the regional level at North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and at the state level with TxDOT. Our involvement with NCTCOG has led to several of the assets we have here in the community, the most recent being the 2nd phase of our hike/bike trail and the corresponding signal on Santa Fe Drive. Maintaining those partnerships and good working relationships is one of
What type of music best describes you? I’d have to say 1990s-2000s rock. C’mon, my name is Chad of course it’s that genre. 20
*Photos provided by Chad Marbut
“I’m a rocker dude, through and through.” – Joe Dirté
Can you describe your position?
the most rewarding things I am able to be a part of for Weatherford. What made you choose your career path? Straight out of (Alvarado) high school I joined the Air Force, married my high school sweetheart Lisa, and worked as a mechanic on F-15s in Florida. After crewing jets for a few years, and doing some really awesome stuff, I got the motivation to start college for engineering (and the Air Force was paying for it!). After Lisa got her RN degree we decided to take the leap and separate Active Duty to transfer to the reserves in Fort Worth where I then crewed F-16s once a month. We bought a house in Weatherford, I enrolled at Weatherford College, then UTA, then fast forward 4 years and I had a Civil Engineering degree….and 2 daughters along the way! Funny story though on my employment here at the City. After a few years of doing some cool projects in the private sector (Sundance Square/TCU/CookChildrens), I got wind of an entry level engineering position here that was advertised and I had to pursue, even though I knew I would be overqualified. Not only that, I was actually on a short deployment with the Air Force so I had to do a phone interview! The opportunity to do big things in my own community was something I just couldn’t let pass me by, and joining the city has been better for me and my family than I ever expected.
What do you love about your job? I’d have to say the thing I love is the positive impact we are able to have on the community. Representing Weatherford and overseeing these programs is a huge responsibility that I am entrusted with and I don’t take it lightly. My girls are able to see the things around town their dad works on, and I think it’s a legacy they can be proud of. I’d have to mention the people as another thing too though, my co-workers and others I interact with here at the City are really the other half of why I love what I do. What do you find most interesting about Weatherford? Most interesting? Hmm, you
know we moved here in 2007 because we didn’t want to live in the big city, and moving back home to Alvarado just wasn’t something we were interested in. After getting here we realized we made a great decision because living in Weatherford is not having to make a compromise between small town/rural vibe and bigger city amenities. The fact that we can have both in this community is really the most interesting thing to me and I guess it’s why we decided to make this place home. Where is your favorite place in Weatherford? Two come to mind 1) The patio at Shep’s and 2) The patio at Antebellum….I like patios
If you could have any job in the world (no limitations) what would you do? When I was younger I would probably have had some wild answers for you, before Lisa and I built our family and grew roots here, but right now I can’t imagine what else I would be doing except maybe sitting on a beach not working at all. Bill Smith and I talked about quitting and starting a rock band at one point, but all he wanted to do was cover Nickelback songs and there’s just not a market for that… Do you have any hobbies or areas of interest and what are they? I have a tendency to get into a lot of different things, and the rest of the guys could probably attest to that. I’ve always liked anything having to do with motor-sports, especially off-road stuff. I grew up riding motocross and although I barely have time to ride anymore, it’s still my biggest passion. I was really into import cars and drag racing when I was younger, so I have a soft spot for any kind of pumped up street car. Right now I have a 60’ Ford F100 with a 5.4L drivetrain and front clip ready to be worked on and swapped…but life and the Air Force doesn’t let me play with it much! Fishing and hunting once in awhile, mountain biking when I can, smoking BBQ on the
weekend, I just got two more bee hives going on our property. 0I’m all over the place! Do you have any personal goals for yourself? I’m making an effort to take more family vacations, the kids will be grown way too fast and I want to build as many memories with them as we can. Before I retire from the Air Force I would like to make Lieutenant Colonel, but that really depends on whether I can balance that with my career and responsibilities here at the city. Other than that just staying in shape and physically active is something I try to keep on top of. What else would you like everyone to know about you? I mentioned my wife Lisa before, we’ve been married over 16 years and were dating for a few
years before that. No one knows me better than her, and somehow she still keeps me around! We have two little girls Calissa and Kyleigh, they are 10 and 7 right now. Lisa is the school nurse at Seguin Elementary and both the girls go to school there with her. We live just west of town on 11 acres that we bought through the veteran land board back in 2013, and at least for now that is our forever home. I commissioned as an Air Force Officer back in 2014, going through officer training school at 30 years old was an experience! Right now I am a Captain and the Operations Flight Commander for the 433d Civil Engineer Squadron down at Lackland in San Antonio. It keeps me very busy and is a time sacrifice from the family, but it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my military career. EMPLOYEE EDGE
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EMPLOYEE EDGE
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CELEBRATING OUR 4TH QUARTER BIRTHDAYS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! JULY Lance Arnold Robert Banks Brice Baxter Devin Bean Chris Blount Denice Caffey Chase Clary Andy Comstock Stephanie Cross Leanne Dean Amanda Dobbs Brady Frye Rebecca Gonzales Hunter Hicks Tyler Hunter Mike Kolanek
Rose Martinez Cesar Mezquite Caleb Miller Lori Morton Viana Munoz Todd Raymond Dustin Reeder Nikki Richards Diamond Robinson Dewayne Shields Lena Snow Curtis Tucker Paul Tumlin Donald Williams Mitchell York Jake Young
AUGUST Joe Alaniz Amy Bridges Byanca Calvillo Zeb Cummins Robert Davis Monty Edwards Leah Flippin Juan Fulton Stephen Gilbert Justin Harwell Jason Hayes Todd Helm James Hotopp Annbra Johnson Jose Lara Che Loa Chad Marbut Brent Matlock
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Chris Maxey Travis McClure Angela McCrory Randy Moman Krista Peacock Kristen Pegues Blake Phoenix Louis Ramos Jr. Rachel Reeves Cile Rigsby Prince Sebastian Kaleb Walker Carl Wallace Frank Watson Sean Williams Matt Williamson Calvin Woody Ashley Woolnough
TIME TO
CELEBRATE! SEPTEMBER John Baker Glen Bradley Mike Bragab Chris Bumpas Mike Byars Steven Chamblee Griffin Coiner Phillip Cox Marlin Daugherty Jr. Valarie Diaz Cody Geeo Nathan Golden Erica Haney Gary Houghton Ronald Huston Dewayne Lackey Michael Mitchell Cody Mulloy
Shannon Napier Rosa Palacios Austin Patteron Jeffrey Payne Chris Roberts John Rudolph Tom Seaton Holly Snell Jonathan Stanley Daniel Stewart Paul Sutton Cindy Vise Joe Wallace Eric Warren Nicole Wright Cody Wynne Ryan Young
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COIN AWARD MONTY EDWARDS Water Utilities Supervisor 2 What do you love most about your job? I would say meeting new people and creating good long last relationships, and friendships. I met some of my closest friends working here. Also, just this morning I was working with a man from Indonesia. I also get the opportunity to pass along my knowledge to new younger employees for the future of the city. While my knowledge isn’t as great as some of the others I work under I remember a lot from the past with the city. I have seen this city grow so much in the last 18 years, it’s almost hard to believe. I can remember when the area where Kohls, and Lowe’s is, was just pasture land. Also, the Wllow Creek subdivision, was a flood area.
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How long have you been working for the city? 18.5 years What is a “typical” day like for you? I typically have a cup of coffee, while looking over our pump reports to see if any lift station needs addressing. Then I make my rounds checking on the jobs my co-workers are working on and helping with if they need me. Then I will check on inspection reports given to me by fellow workers to plan future projects for the crew. I also check the buoys around the lake and water pump station. I make sure the meter techs are handling the
leak reports, and customer concerns in a timely manner, which they do very well as short-handed as we have been lately. We also have 25 lift stations that we maintain all the time. What was the most challenging situation you have faced as an employee? How did you overcome the challenge? For me thus far in my career, I would have to say making the transformation from a worker on the crew to becoming a supervisor. Because literally one day I was just one of the guys the next I was their “boss”, the supervisor, I never liked being called a boss or boss man. I see myself as still one
of the guys, I just have more responsibility now. I try overcoming this each day, by trying to be level headed and have a good outlook on the day and being a leader and a good role model. This position makes that very challenging Who has been a big influencer/mentor to you in life? My mom, I would have to say. She always taught me to look for the best in people. She made me a better person by being in my life. She never judged anyone I don’t think. She also told me to make sure I had done the best I could do before I judged others. What do you love most about Weatherford? Academy, I have no reason to leave Parker County now. What are your hobbies? Training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Mixed martial arts, and a little fishing when I get time. Do you have a favorite place in Weatherford? Shep’s Place, my wife and I go there every Friday night. What is something most people wouldn’t know about you? Most people that meet me when I’m in city uniform don’t know that I have a “few” tattoos. *Photos provided by Nicole Wright
What advice would you give to a new employee starting with the city? Learn as much as you can in your field of work, to move up in your department. Also, to keep a level head and listen twice as much as you talk. That’s why you have two ears and only one mouth.
love the beach and being on the water or in the water. If I had to pick one place right now it would be Crystal Beach. Monty owns his own gym, Neanderthal Fight Company. They offer kids grappling, adult kickboxing, and adult grappling.
What type of music do you think best describes you? Texas Country without a doubt. But you might find a little “Queen” or Mötley Crüe on my workout playlist. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
Learn as much as you can in your field of work, to move up in your department.
Anywhere coastal, I love the water, EMPLOYEE EDGE
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Spring Activities
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Word Bank
Weatherford Summer Fireworks Unity Impact Watermelon Pride Team
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Peaches Swim Parks Beach Ice Cream Employee Edge
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Weatherford Fire Department Here are a few things that our Weatherford Fire Department had going on in the last few months!
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Sosebee Retirement
Roll-Up Door Simulator
Deputy Fire Marshall Dee Sosebee celebrated his retirement after 45 years of service with the Weatherford Fire Department, on Friday June 14th. Chief Paul Rust and Sosebee are featured at his retirement party at Fire Station 1.
Matt McKittrick, Lee Franklin and Robert Brown built a forcible entry, roll up door simulator for the Weatherford Fire Department. Using a small portion of the department budget, they built the simulator saving WFD hundreds of dollars and will account for hours of training for years to come.
3 Chief Berry Retirement
In celebration of his 36 years of service with the Weatherford Fire Department Battalion Chief James Berry retired and received his last call on Thursday June 27th at Fire Station 1. Chief Berry is featured with the guys from his shift, Chief Paul Rust, and Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan Peacock.
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*Photo provided by Brett Barkley
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*Photos provided by Nicole Wright
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EMPLOYEE OLYMP
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PICS
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Justin Gales Circulation Supervisor Weatherford Public Library
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT JUSTIN GALES
Can you describe your position?
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My position is all about making sure that everyone who comes through our doors leaves with a positive experience. I oversee all of the coming and going of materials that belong to the library. I manage the circulation team so I make schedules, do trainings, complete reviews, etc. I run a monthly event called Beyond Board Games. This event happens the third Tuesday of each month. This is a chance for people to bring the games they love up to the library and share them with other like minded gamers. I am also on the marketing team for the library. I create videos for the library as well as help maintain our social media pages. What did you do before landing your job with the city? Before I worked for the city I worked at the corporate office for GameStop over in Grapevine. I worked in the HR department for about 5 years. While there I helped create GameStop’s HR
Solution Center. This was a team that served as the front lines of all HR issues company wide. We assisted in everything from personnel changes, benefits, compensation, recruitment, and disputes as well as other HR related areas. What made you choose your career path? My wife and I had our son, Dain, and we decided that I was going to be a stay at home dad until he started school. Once he started pre-school I applied for a position with the library. What do you love about your job? I love interacting with our community! I love being able to talk to and get to know so many awesome people. What do you find most interesting about Weatherford? Like the last question, I think the community we have here is great. I love that you can go to the store and see people you know by name and
*Photos provided by Nicole Wright and Justin Gales
strike up a conversation with them even if you haven’t seen them in a while. The city may be getting larger, but we still have the small town feel. Where is your favorite place in Weatherford? Other than the library?!? I would have to say I really enjoy Soldier Springs Park. I like how walking the trails makes you forget you are in the middle of the city. If you could have any job in the world (no limitations) what would you do? I always thought it would be cool to be an explorer.
Do you have any hobbies or areas of interest and what are they? I am a gamer. I love playing both video games and card games. Do you have any personal goals for yourself? My wife and I are saving up to buy our first home. So hopefully around this time next year we’ll be the proud owners of a place either here in town or near it. What else would you like everyone to know about you? I collect Legend of Zelda related items. Do you have a favorite quote? “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky – Michael Scott What type of music best describes you? 90s Alternative – It’s upbeat, edgy, and sometimes kind of weird.
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Malinda Nowell
FROM THE VAULT
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Check out the interesting and unusual Ordinance City Secretary Malinda Nowell found in our vault.
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ccording to Ordinance Number 1563, there is regulation on the keeping or standing of bulls or stallions or jacks within the corporate limits, providing a penalty of fine not to exceed $200.00; repealing ordinance in conflict; providing a savings clause and declaring an emergency. Be it ordained by the city of Weatherford, Texas: Section 1: That Title VIII, Chapter 5 of the City Code of Weatherford, Texas, is
conducted and carried on in a structure or building sufficiently enclosed on all sides so as to completely shut off and prevent all outside view or observance of same. Section 2: Any person violating any provision of this Ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $20.00 set for in the General Penalty Clause, Section 1-3-1 the
hereby Amended by adding thereto Section 8-6-5 which shall read as follows: Section 8-6-5: Bulls, Stallions, and Jacks: It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to keep or have under his control any bull, stallion, or jack for breeding purposes within the corporate limits of the City of Weatherford except in compliance with the provision of this section. Whenever such owner or person keeping or having under his control any bull, stallion, or jack uses said bull, stallion, or jack for the purpose of breeding, said activity shall be
City Code of Weatherford. Section 3: All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance shall be and the same are here-repealed to the extent of said conflict only.
Check out our next issue! In every issue we like to feature something from our city vault. Whether we learn something or are simply entertained by past (and sometimes current) ordinances. It’s interesting to take a look back at the past and see how much things have changed. Anywhere from ordinances on ice cream cone rules, to old logos, to where you house livestock during breeding.
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4th of July
SPARK IN THE PARK
Check out some of the highlights from Spark in the Park 2019. Photos provided by Kristen Pegues and Nicole Wright. 44
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FROM OUR LAST ISSUE
FIND THE LOGO
We you able to find the hidden logo on the cover of our last issue? There’s one on this issue too! First person to email (nwright@weatherfordtx.gov), call (682.229.2616), or visit Nicole Wright’s office gets a prize!
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Miscellaneous
PICTURES EMPLOYEE EDGE
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