Employee Relations Guide

WEATHERFORD

FALL 2016

Fall In

The City!

From the Vault A 1901 version of a speeding ticket.

Q UA R T E R LY

City Hall Surgery The bandages come off of our face-lift.

E M P L OY E E R E L AT I O N S G U I D E

C O N T E N T S Our Leadership 4

Message from Mayor Swancy

Our Stories 20

Feature Photos Spark In The Park

28

What's Happening

28

From the Vault

29

City Hall Gets a Face-lift

31

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

Our Snapshots 34

Employee Photographs

Cover photo by Fire Marshall Bob Hopkins 02 EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE | 2016

Our People 8 10

Coin Award Program: Greg Collazo Q & A with Brad Burnett

12 Employee Spotlight 14

Employee Birthdays

16 New Employees

From the Staff T

his is always an interesting time for the City. The budget has been approved by City Council, employees are starting a new fiscal year and there is the constant internal review of giving our citizens the best services for the least cost. At the same time, the City is growing at an amazing rate and the potential for future growth parallels at the same speed.

The process of internal review travels throughout all departments. It takes a very dedicated staff with a creative vision to make such a process come to life. The opening of the amphitheater, along with the amazing fireworks display, is a true example of how a successful process follows through when employees come together to accomplish a unified goal. The new amphitheater is already bringing great entertainment to our citizens and creating new ways for people to enjoy Weatherford.

The growth of the City is a cautious undertaking. There is a unique balance of economic development, marketing and planning that must happen to entice the current and future development to foster the growth of the City, yet maintain an atmosphere of a familybased cohesive town. New businesses are in the process of coming to our I-20 corridor and Weatherford is booming with opportunity.

As we embark on a new fiscal year, I look forward to discovering new and innovative ways to facilitate growth, both within our organization and community. Every employee plays an integral role in this process and I look forward to being part of our successes in the new fiscal year.

Blake Rexroat Director, Communications and Marketing 817-598-4209 brexroat@weatherfordtx.gov

Production Staff PUBLISHER CREATIVE | DESIGN EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

City of Weatherford

Blake Rexroat Tim Todd Tim Todd Blake Rexroat

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Malinda Nowell Tim Todd Krista Beach

The Employee Relations Guide is published by the City of Weatherford, Texas. www.weatherfordtx.gov 303 Palo Pinto St. | Weatherford, TX | 76086 2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 03

Our Leadership

MESSAGE FROM M AYO R S WA N C Y

F

irst, I would like to say what an honor it is to serve as your Mayor. My focus is to enthusiastically and sincerely serve the community we live in, work in and most importantly, the one we are proud to call home. As a Weatherford native, understanding the unique feeling and vision we have here is truly essential, being ever mindful of what has made Weatherford great by keeping a close watch on what we strive to accomplish in the present and the future.

While serving as a council member from 2007 to 2016, I am excited to be your Mayor now, especially during these challenging times that our city is facing. The demographics of our community have changed tremendously over the last ten years, yet our heritage and uniqueness are ever present; that is why Weatherford is such a wonderful and distinctive community. Weatherford

04 OUR LEADERSHIP | 2016

is not like other cities, and most certainly it is not like our metropolitan neighbors in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Weatherford is indeed a growing and thriving city. We have a regional shopping area along our I-20 corridor that attracts folks to our fair city from counties to the south, west, and north. Weatherford has become the ‘western gateway’ to the DFW Metroplex and we have benefitted from those dollars spent here. Yet, in the long run, we are fortunate to be a city of interested and caring residents that respect our cultural inheritance and who take the time to participate in local government.

It is my sincere hope that in the coming years, we will continue, as a community of volunteers, to address our problems and to make Weatherford an even better place to live and work. As Mayor, it is my desire to work with the City Council to ensure that the needs

of the entire community are addressed in a fair and enjoy the progress made in returning First Monday to its open-minded way while sustaining the endowment that former heydays, showcasing the amenities of Heritage we so dearly treasure, and creating a focus to ensure Park, our new amphitheater, and our Hike and Bike that our community Trail, and to help stays united and everyone discover ever mindful on our ‘crown jewel’ in It is my sincere hope that in the coming years, improvement.

Douglas Chandor’s Our city is making we will continue, as a community of volunteers, to garden and home. As significant progress address our problems and to make Weatherford an volunteers, I can only as we implement ask for your interest, even better place to live and work.

Weatherford’s your involvement, and Transportation your concern for our Improvement Plan, our community. We may Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, Capital Improvement not be able to settle the issues that plague our country Projects, and, over the next ten years, you will see a and the world, but we can make a difference right here tremendous amount of progress with those projects. at home. Please feel free to contact me at any time with While my goal is to make substantial progress in your suggestions and comments about our city and your every area of work that the city does, my plan is to assist government. in making the wait more pleasant, more fun, and more attractive. My desire is for our citizens and visitors to

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 05

Our People

COIN AWARDS PROGRAM:

ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN, GREG COLLAZO

T

he City of Weatherford has a Coin Awards Program for the organization-wide purpose of recognizing employees that go above the call of duty and who’s actions are worthy of special recognition. Supervisors are encouraged to recognize employees and co-workers when their actions merit praise.

For an employee to be given a coin by their supervisor, they must receive a compliment from a citizen or be witnessed going above their normal scope of duties. The Department of Human Resources will log the date the coin is given to the individual as well as place documentation in their personnel file. Upon receiving 10 coins, the employee is given a certificate for a day off with pay.

8 OUR PEOPLE | 2016

Tell us about how you received your coin through the coin awards program.

A rescue group pulled two dogs from the shelter. However, the two dogs did not get along very well. We were very full and needed the space in the shelter so I offered to stay past my shift until nearly 7:00pm so that the rescuer would be able to take one dog home, then come back and get the second dog. The lady sent a very sweet card thanking me for being so caring and devoted to saving these animals.

What is your background and education?

Before accepting a job with the Animal Shelter, I had only worked in fast food and retail. Working for the City and the Animal Shelter has been the best job out of everywhere I have worked. Both my bosses, Dustin and Jeff, motivated me to study and finally get my GED, something I had been trying to do for a long time.

What do you love most about your job?

The environment, because everyone is so nice. The people I work with genuinely care about each other, almost like a family. It's a lot of hard work taking care of the animals, but it's also very rewarding to be able to care for them while they are in our safekeeping..

How long have you been working for the city?

I started with the Texas Workforce Community Learning Center program and did that for four months. I have been a City employee for almost ten months.

What is your daily schedule?

When I get to work, I immediately begin the cleaning process. Depending on how many people we have, we figure out a plan to clean the kennels and care for the animals in an expedient and timely manner.

What made you decide to pursue a career in Animal Services?

Working for the City, there are a ton of different career paths I can get into.

What is the most challenging situation you have faced as an employee? How did you overcome the challenge?

Probably learning how to be a team player and get along with different personalities on our team. I tried to work and get to know each person on a more personal level and things just worked their way out.

Who has been a mentor to you during your career?

Explain.

Dustin Deel (Pickle), Jeff Sayles, Joe Davis, Jackie Ortiz, and Ashley Woolnough.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy fishing, drawing, video games, and am open to doing all kinds of things.

What do you love most about Weatherford?

The community and how it comes together to care for the animals.

What are other details about you that most people do not know?

It makes me feel really good to help someone else out.

What advice would you give to a new employee starting work with the City of Weatherford?

It's a hard job; you better keep up!

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Q&A ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER BRAD BURNETT

What do you love most about your job?

I love finding solutions to problems, especially if it helps us to become more efficient in procedures or operations. I want to know that I have a purpose and what I do makes a positive change in someone's work life or saves our citizens time and money.

What is your daily schedule?

Check e-mails and calendar.

Review and update project list.

Prioritize daily workload. Check my department's needs. Get prepared for any meetings that day. Work on projects.

What advice do you have for employees?

Find happiness in whatever you are doing. Be thankful for the small blessings as much as the large ones.

Have a positive outlook and do something good for someone every day.

What is your biggest challenge?

Status Quo. We all tend to want to work and live within our comfort zone; however, we are not pushing ourselves to learn new things when we are comfortable. There are a lot of roadblocks when trying to change a work environment.

You have to find ways to get through or go around these challenges and not give in to Status Quo.

What do you love most about being a city employee?

As a City employee, we have the opportunity to make a difference for our citizens. On the financial side, if we do a really good job, we know our citizens are benefitting from our efficiencies in City services at as low a cost as possible.

Why are employees important to the daily operations of the city?

Our employees are the "what" in what makes our city work, the wheel that makes the city turn, where the rubber meets the road.

Who has been a mentor to you during your professional career and why?

Of course, my dad. Generous, kind, funny and super smart, but focused, business minded and very Type A personality. He's a man's man and a great father. One other thing, he has always visited and showed great kindness toward elderly people, which tells a lot about his character.

Have a positive outlook and do something for someone every day.

10 OUR PEOPLE | 2016

A LITTLE MORE PERSONAL...

Dogs or cats? Why? If neither, what type of pet do you like and why?

Definitely dogs! I love dogs; they have such a personality. Not so much for cats.

If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

I'd like to meet Richard Marcinko, retired SEAL Team Six commander.

What are your hobbies?

Lifting weights, golf (haven't got to play a lot lately), traveling and spending time with my lovely wife.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

Ireland.

If you had a super power what would it be and why?

It would be pretty cool to fly and to have x-ray vision, but I think having the ability to read minds...no, flying is way cooler.

No traffic problems, no slow pokes on a two lane road, and you could really freak people out by jumping off tall buildings.

If you were a part on a car, what would you be and why?

I'm thinking an air horn on a big diesel truck. Bonk!!! Bonk!!!

What is your favorite movie or TV show?

My favorites are Cliffhanger, the real True Grit and Quigley Down Under.

If there was a candy dish at the edge of your desk, what kind of candy would you fill it with?

Most definitely Hot Tamales.

Spicy with a bite, just like I like my life.

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT JUSTIN HARPER Information Technology (IT) Specialist Describe your position.

Technically, I am like a Tier 1 technology support technician. However, I have the privilege of being able to do a lot more than just Tier 1 support. I am involved with nearly all aspects of IT within the City, from security systems, purchasing, project management, audio/video controls at council/board meetings and more. I truly am working on at least a little bit of everything.

How long in your position?

I started in November of 2013, so 2.5 years.

What did you do prior to working for the City of Weatherford?

Before joining the City, I was working for Apple and prior to that, I worked at Geek Squad.

What do you love about your job?

I love that every day is something new. Also, I am constantly learning and experiencing new things, and not just about technology. Since joining the City, I have had the opportunity to tour the Water Plant with Taz, drive several police cars, sat in the surgery room at the Animal Shelter during a surgery (I was working on the computer), have been lifted up in a bucket truck to work on cameras, and so much more.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I am never not busy and I always have several things I am working on at a time. (That's why it is always best to put in a ticket.)

Tell us more about you personally.

Married to my wife, Rebekka, for just over 5 years (March 11). She has a BA in Psychology from UNT and currently is working at Pecan Valley MHMR as a Case Manager.

Hobbies?

Spending time with my wife and my sons, Jonah and Elijah. I enjoy riding my bike when I have time.

12 OUR PEOPLE | 2016

BRANDI HUDDLESTON Utility Services Manager Describe your position.

I am responsible for the Utility Billing Department which includes the Utility Representatives, the Billing Specialist and the Meter Readers. I manage and perform technical and administrative work involving customer service, billing and meter reading operations.

What did you do prior to working for the City of Weatherford?

I was an Assistant Vice President at First Financial Bank. I managed the College Park location here in Weatherford.

Anything interesting you’ve done in your life you’d like to share?

I was selected to participate on an international track and field team when I was a senior at Weatherford High School.

There were only four athletes selected from Texas. It was a huge honor! We competed in Belgium and France.

What do you love about your job?

I love helping people! I take pride in listening to the concerns our customers have and strive to provide a level of customer service that I would want to receive. I also love working with the team in our department. I "coach" every day! We all have room to grow and improve ourselves and I welcome feedback, too. We recognize that customer service is not a job for everyone and we love that we have the opportunity each and every day to represent the City.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Not being able to please everyone! Consistency is the key. We treat all of our customers with respect and follow the policies and procedures for our department. There are always unique circumstances that present themselves and we handle those on a case-by-case basis.

Tell us more about you personally.

I have a husband, Ed. We have known each other since I was ten years old. However, we did not start dating until I was twenty-one. He grew up as a family friend.

Our first date was on 9/11/2001, which was a day we will never forget. That was the tragedy of the twin towers. We had dinner reservations but opted to stay in so we could watch the news. We married on 5/18/2002 and have two amazing children, Tristan and Jace.

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 13

Happy Birthday.

August

July Ryan Baker Robert Banks Chris Blount Denise Caffey Rebecca Casey Ronnie Corder Leanne Dean Justin Dickey Tyler Emmert Craig Farmer Brady Frye Hunter Hicks Tomara Holloway Tyler Hunter

Joshua Kneisel Mike Kolanek Rosa Martinez Lori Morton Vivienne Penaflor Andrew Pennuell Todd Raymond Nikki Richards Dewayne Shields Lena Snow Paul Tumlin Jake Young Mitchell York

Krista Beach Byanca Calvillo Amy Cox Zeb Cummins Ken Davis Monty Edwards Laura Enlow Leah Flippin Juan Fulton Victor Green Justin Harwell Jason Hayes Todd Helm R J Honsberger James Hotopp Annbra Johnson Jose Lara

September Kevin Barnett Mike Bragan Chris Bumpas Mike Byars Steven Chamblee Griffin Coiner Phillip Cox Marlin Daughtery Valerie Diaz Cody Geeo Nathan Golden Erica Haney Gary Houghton Ronald Huston Dewayne Lackey Michael Mitchell Cody Mulloy Shannon Napier 14 OUR PEOPLE | 2016

Rosa Palacios Eldon Patterson Christopher Roberts John Rudolph Tom Seaton Jessica Shofroth Holly Snell Michael Spraggins Jonathan Stanley Daniel Stewart Paul Sutton Cindy Vise Joe Wallace Eric Warren Michael Weatherly Trent Westbrook Cody Wynne

Che Loa Chad Marbut Brent Matlock Chris Maxey Travis McClure Jeffrey McCollough Angela McCrory Thomas McDonald Randy Moman Vanessa Morales Louis Ramos Sarah Taylor Frank Watson Victor Williford Calvin Woody Ashley Woolnough

November

October Diana Allen Steve Bates Pat Berry Kyle Capp Adam Clark Dennis Clayton Jackie Clayton Chad Deiley Randy English Dale Fleeger David Foreman Justin Henning Roy Hurst Eddie Hurtado Travis Johnson Chris Kreutzer Gilberto Ledezma Nathan Lee

Christin Levrie Andrew McCollum Cherilyn Meeves Gary Miller BGee Pearson Jessica Richard Paul Rust Bill Smith Brett Stagner Kerrie Stepherson Grant Taylor Taz Thurman Lance Trinque Keith Truelove Beth Turnbow Randy Vaughn Mark Wolfenberger

Timmy Adams Olen Arey Nick Benson Seth Bolling Chris Brown Kayla Callaway Stuart Chalmers Steven Cox Randall Denny Kevin Edwards Richard Fetzeck Mark Furr Thomas Gortmaker Sharon Green Cameron Hale

Rachel Hamilton Michael Howard Terry Hughes Ray Julian Sidney Kirk Beverley Laxson Jason Lewis Rusty Rose Angel Rudolph Dusty Russell Bryan Smith Johnny Soap Chris Weaver Ryan Whiteman Meredith Wren

December Meagen Adams Russ Barrett Wesley Briggs Terri Brunz Ricky Bullock Richie Calderon George Courtney James Dickason Gwendolyn Dowds-Nash Troy Garvin Justin Harper Kaylei Hickey Bob Hopkins Pam Hughes Justin Langford Hervy Martin Cordell Massey

Bert McFadin Cesar Mendoza Stewart Millican Stephanie Molina Micah Ormon James Peel Paula Rollins Paul Salge David Secrest Tom Short Allen Taylor Tim Trevino Tiffany Vanzant Karl Westendorf Heidi Wilder John Wright

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 15

NEW EMPLOYEES DEBRA WAKELAND

HALEY HETTINGER

SHELLEY THORNTON

VIVIENNE PENAFLOR Senior Office Assistant Animal Services

Administrative Assistant Planning and Development

EDDIE HURTADO

LAURA ENLOW

PAM HUGHES

Main Street Director Historical/Cultural

Recreation Assistant Chandor Gardens

Senior Sanitation Worker Sanitation Division

16 OUR PEOPLE | 2016

Code Compliance Officer Code Enforcement

Planner I Planning and Development

RICHIE CALDERON Sanitation Loader Sanitation Division

MELISSA WINN

Staff Accountant Finance

MEAGEN ADAMS Deputy Court Clerk Municipal Court

LORI DACEK

RUSTY ROSE

Construction Maint.Worker I Water Utilities

KIASON TURNER

Library Clerk Public Library

System Analyst Information Technology

GAGE JUDGE

EDGAR ALONSO

Groundskeeper Parks, Rec. and Special Events

Sanitation Loader Sanitation Division

CESAR MENDOZA Maint.Worker I Water Utilities

CHRISTINE CONSENTINO Police TCO Police Department

CHRISTINA BROWN Administrative Secretary Economic Development

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 17

NEW EMPLOYEES ASHLEY JONES

RICHARD FETZECK

ELIZABETH WHITE

KEVIN BARNETT

Maintenance Worker Transportation and Public Works

VALARIE DIAZ

Utility Representative Utility Billing

Lineman Helper Electric Utilities

NATHAN GOLDEN

TYLER EMMERT

JOSH CLEMENTS

Utility Representative Utility Billing

JACOB MC COLLUM

Animal Care Tech Animal Services

18 OUR PEOPLE | 2016

Sanitation Loader Sanitation Division

Animal Care Tech Animal Services

Groundskeeper Chandor Gardens

Warehouse Attendant II Warehouse

ADAM CLARK

MEREDITH WREN Office Assistant Police Department

Police Officer Police Department

STEPHANY MOLINA

VANESSA MORALES

NICK BENSON

Groundskeeper Parks, Recreation & Special Events

Custodian Facilities Maintenance

Library Clerk Public Library

JOSE LARA

graduate engineer

Engineering

KEVIN GATES Animal Care Tech Animal Services

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 19

SPARK IN THE PARK Event Photos

20 OUR STORIES | 2016

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 21

What's Happening Public Library Storytime at Weatherford Public Library Wednesday & Friday mornings from 10:30am to 11:15am Enjoy great stories, music, finger-plays and rhymes with your little one. There is also a fun craft to make and take home! Storytime offers two groups that meet at the same time. One is for kids from birth to 3 years and another is for those ages from 4 to 6 years - just pick the one that is the best fit for your child.

After School For Teens Mondays & Thursdays from 4:00pm to 5:00pm The Needlework Group First Tuesday of the month, 10:30am to 12:00pm Third Tuesday of the month, 6:00pm to 7:30pm The Needlework Group is a great way to meet fellow crafters who enjoy crochet, embroidery, knitting or any other type of hand work. The group is open to all ages and skill levels and you can share tips and projects - just bring your own materials.

Coloring for Grown-Ups Second Thursday of the month, 6:00pm to 7:30pm Enjoy a fun night of coloring at the library. The library will provide coloring sheets designed for adults, colored pencils, and light refreshments. Feel free to bring your own coloring supplies!

Book Club Third Thursday of the month, 6:00pm to 7:30pm Adults of all ages are welcome to attend and discuss the book selection of the month. A free copy of the book may be picked up at the library information desk while supplies last.

Animal Services Trunk or Treat - October 28th, 4:00pm to 6:00pm Christmas on the Square and Tracks - December 3rd

22 OUR STORIES | 2016

What's Happening All Departments Employee Appreciation Luncheon Friday, November 18 11:00am to 2:00pm Harberger Hill Community Center

Parks, Recreation & Special Events Winter Trout Stocking @ Holland Lake December 1st December 22nd Holland Lake is classified as a Community Fishing Lake (CFL) by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Therefore, fishing methods is by rod and reel only, with a two pole limit per person, no exceptions.

Requirements: 17 years and older must have a valid Texas Freshwater Fishing License, unless

born before January 1, 1931.

Five (5) trout bag limit per day

No minimum length

Chandor Gardens Sunday, October 30th Goblins In The Garden Adults $2, Costumed Children FREE Princesses and puppies, ghosts and ghouls, superheroes and spiders all come together at Chandor Gardens during our Goblins In the Garden festival. Kids love to show off their Halloween costumes a little early, and this spook-free event is the perfect opportunity for even the youngest goblins to get into the action.

Candy stations all around the garden let the whole family discover the secret treasures that make Chandor Gardens truly magical. Come find out why so many people tell us this is their favorite event of the year.

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From the VA U L T

By Malinda Nowell, City Secretary

T

he vault really does hold some interesting documents. I recently learned from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission that court records prior to 1950 are permanent.

In the City's vault, we have six hard bound court record books that are all handwritten.

The data in those books are from the 1880's to the 1910's. While the books themselves have suffered serious decay over the years, the pages have been well protected.

Now here's a neat find....Inside the cover of one book, we learn that in the year 1901, Wiley Kidd filed a complaint with the court swearing under oath that Nick Johnson drove "a team of horses across the public square in the City of Weatherford at a reckless gait and did then and there drive the said team of horses so as to cause the vehicle attached thereto to come in collision with and strike a wagon" driven by Wiley Kidd.

Can you imagine that? Lots of things run through my mind, of course. It's all because I've seen it on TV! Exactly how fast is a "reckless gait?" And, "across the public square"... Was that actually the area considered the roadway, or was that on the lawn of the courthouse?

This was just a complaint form, but written on the back, we see that the jury found Mr. Johnson not guilty. Sometimes, when persons were found guilty, their fines were recorded, as well. Back then, most of them were just a dollar to two.

According to the Municipal Court, the average speeding ticket would cost $150 to $300 today, depending on how many miles-per-hour you were driving over the limit.

Slow it down folks and take it easy! Try not to crash that "team of horses" that's under the hood of your car!

24 OUR STORIES | 2016

A City Hall Face-lift

By Communications and Marketing Coordinator Tim Todd

A

famous comedienne, Phyllis Diller, used to joke about the many times she had cosmetic surgery. "I've been nipped and tucked more times than the sheets at a Holiday Inn", she used to say.

City Hall has just completed its own "cosmetics surgery", of sorts.

Utility Billing has expanded the number of customer service windows. Brandi Huddleston, Utility Services Manager said, "The expansion of the customer service windows and the cross training of our staff in the department means that we can assist our customers with all of their payment needs and questions at any service window. Before this renovation, we were divided into different areas creating separate waiting lines for our customers."

Municipal Court also renovated their area. They not only have increase the number of customer service windows but have physically divided them. Tiffany Bagwell, Juvenile Case Manager/Deputy Court Clerk, said, "This allows our customers to have more confidentiality during their transactions at the service windows. We also have more seating for the customer waiting area and have a better sense of security in the department."

Additional changes are the new entry doors off the main vestibule and the relocation of the Assistant City Manager, Human Resources, and Emergency Management. Come check out our new look.

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 25

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

"Rhyme Or Reason"

By Executive Assistant Krista Beach

R

ecently, I found myself in a situation where I felt as if an idea being presented to me wasn't necessarily a bad one.

However, if I was completely honest, going along with it would be difficult. There were two reasons why I was so resistant. The first was the person suggesting the idea and the second was the method and style in which it was suggested.

I attended a leadership training course at the beginning of October and the topic was "The Leadership Lessons of Dr. Seuss". This training gave me the inclination to read the famous books that I had not been exposed to in my youth.

When I got home, I immediately borrowed, checkout out, and bought a few of the children's books. I never thought there would be so many leadership lessons to learn from these short, somewhat silly stories.

One of my favorites turned out to be The Zax because it reminded me so much of that recent event and my attitude when the incident occurred. This story is basically about two Zax; one going north, the other going south, and when they meet face-to-face, neither will budge or alter their course so that the other can pass. This prevents them both from making progress and arriving at their individual destination.

Conflict is inevitable in life; choosing how we deal with it is the key. Sometimes instead of going around, leapfrogging over, going east or west, or going in the same direction together, we find ourselves not moving at all and the result is a delayed resolution, or worse....no resolution at all! Neither of the Zax wanted to adapt or look for an alternative. Both allowed pride to prevent them from finding a solution for each of them to get to their desired location.

I am not too prideful to admit that in the end, the idea presented to me by this individual was indeed the better alternative. The situation helped me to understand that both the communicator (they) and the recipient (I) had a problem. They needed to work on their delivery and, as for me, I needed to not totally disregard their suggestion because I thought they were unwilling to listen and were arrogant in the manner in which they executed their idea. We were two Zax unable to get to our destination because each of use were concerned with our own agenda. I was able to grow from the experience because I took ownership of my part in it. We are unable to choose how other people react but we do have the option of choosing our own response.

I hope you will remember this "Leadership Lesson of Dr. Seuss" the next time you find yourself face-to-face with a Zax.

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 27

Have an idea for employee involvement???

Yes No Maybe

We want to know

Submit your idea to: Diana Allen dallen@weatherfordtx.gov.

Our Snapshots

Above: Police Sergeant John Rudolph judging the salsa and chili for the United Way Employee Cook-off.

Above: Firefighter/EMT Louis Ramos and gang trying out the all the different chilies and salsas at the United Way Employee Cook-off.

Above: "Pie In The Eye" recipients for the United Way Employee Cook-off included Transportation and Public Works Director Manny Palacios, Police Chief Mike Manning, Public Library Director Chris Accardo and Planning and Development Director Craig Farmer.

Above: Court Clerk Brian Dickerson raises money for the United Way event.

Right: Officer Jose Lara being sworn in by Judge Tim Galbreaith.

30 OUR SNAPSHOTS | 2016

Above: Michael Howard, Shannon Goodman, Debra Wakeland and BGee Pearson at the grand opening of the Heritage Park Amphitheater.

Above: IT Specialist, Justin Harper with son, Jonah.

Above: Mayor Swancy and previous Mayor Hooks at the opening.

Left: Sharon Hayes, Michael Howard, Mayor Clancy, Mayor Hooks, James Hotopp, and Shannon Goodman during the ribbon cutting.

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 31

Above: Swearing in of Craig Swancy as the new Mayor by previous Mayor Hooks.

Above: Mayor Hooks with Mayor Craig Swancy.

Above: Presentation of fire helmet from Fire Chief Paul Rust to Mayor Hooks.

Left: Rescue demonstration by our Fire Department during Citizen University.

Right: Firefighter Paul Salge discusses details of a fire truck during Citizen University.

32 OUR SNAPSHOTS | 2016

Above: New Mayor Swancy with City Council.

Left: Fire Department employees Shannon Napier, Tom Short and Lance Trinque showing their artistic skills at the Employee Art Project.

Right: City Planner Stan Hamrick intently works on the design of his glass tile.

Above: Animal Shelter's Marcus Redington, Vivienne Penaflor, Kenzie Montgomery, Ashley Woolnough and Dustin Deel.

Above: Gwendolyn Dowds-Nash and City Manager Sharon Hayes at the 40th Birthday Party for the Library.

Above: Water Utilities employees Danny Cerveny and Richard Tate giving a tour to Citizen University.

Above: Deputy City Manager James Hotopp, City Manager Sharon Hayes, and Library Director Chris Accardo at the Library's 40th Birthday Party.

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 33

Above: Streets Department employees Justin Langford and Mike Weatherly answer lots of questions from the kids during the Third Grade Tours.

Above: John McEntire demonstrates how a water valve works to the kids.

Above: Library Services Manager of Youth Services Gwendolyn DowdsNash demonstrates her science skills to the kids during the Third Grade Tours.

Above: Lead Code Compliance Officer Chris Cummins and Permit Tech Rebecca Casey teaching the kids the Junior Code Enforcement Officer oath.

Left: Division Chief of Training Jonathan Peacock giving Driver Engineer Chad Deiley instructions during a fire simulation training.

Right: Transportation & Public Works Director Manny Palacios gives an outdoor lecture to Citizen University students.

34 OUR SNAPSHOTS | 2016

Left: Special Events Coordinator Michael Howard receiving the 2016 Outstanding Community Partner Award from Park, Recreations & Special Events Director Shannon Goodman.

Right: City Planner Rick Hamrick gives a lecture to Citizen University.

Above: City employees gather to learn about the new benefits available for 2017.

Above: Capital Transportation Projects Director Terry Huges giving a presentation at the Senior Center.

Above: Admin Secretary Dahlia Wells flashes a smile at the benefits fair.

Above: Mayor Craig Swancy with the Utility Billing team during Customer Service Appreciation Week.

2016 | EMPLOYEE RELATIONS GUIDE 35