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August 2023
On Aug. 10, employees gathered at The Heritage in Jonesborough for a service recognition banquet. After a hiatus of three years, the result of COVID-19, the Employee Service Award Banquet returned to honor employees who have served the City and their community for 10 or more years. To reward employees for their tenure, City leadership
presented staff with a gift of their choice.
After 10 years of employment, staff celebrating a five-year interval work anniversary were eligible for recognition. Over 200 employees met this qualification and are listed on the following pages by their years of service. Congratulations!
50 Years
25 Years
2022
Monie Honeycutt, Planning and Development Services
40 Years
2020
Walter Duke, Public Works
Paul Easlic, Public Works
Dennis Edwards, Fleet Management
Allan Garst, Facilities Management
John Hames, Police
Greer Murphy, Transit
Paula Stevens, Transit
Joy Baker, Risk Management
Michael Oliver, Fire
Tom Witherspoon, Water and Sewer Services
35 Years
Steve Hodges, Water and Sewer Services
Floyd Bradford, Parks and Recreation
James Brown, Police
Mike Butler, Police
Donna Tallmadge, Police
Steve Weaver, Fire
30 Years
Thomas Carder, Transit
Timothy Fields, Parks and Recreation
John Hilton, Public Works
Kenny Keck, Fire
Anthony Todd, Public Works
Scotty Carrier, Police
Debbie Dillon, Purchasing
Tammy Jones, Finance
Richard King, Public Works
Mitch Perry, Police
Tim Hensley, Police
Jeff Jenkins, Police
David Howland, Fire
Eric Hull, Police
Scott Jenkins, Police
Wendy Phillips, Fleet Management
Kerry Phipps, Fire
Michael Schepers, Fire
Christopher Stout, Public Works
Barbara Williams, Public Works
2021
Mark Compton, Water and Sewer Services
Michael Doyle, Public Works
David Ferrell, Parks and Recreation
Scott Gouge, Water and Sewer Services
Edwin Haynes, Fire
Joseph Horton, Water and Sewer Services
Nathan Johnson, Public Works
Jerry Ludrosky, Public Works
Sam McLain, Fire
Joseph Roberts, Police
Traye Townsend, Water and Sewer Services
Kenneth Willis, Police
2022
Marcus Beasley, Fire
Andy Clevinger, Police
Joann Draper, Transit
Thomas Duncan, Police
Linda Fair, Public Works
Beth Greene, Administration
Michael Harshbarger, Water and Sewer Services
Ian Keys, Fire
Rusty Lowe, Water and Sewer Services
April Matherly, Police
Jason Powell, Fire
25 Years - Continued
20 Years - Continued
2022
Chuck Proffitt, Water and Sewer Services
Bret Richardson, Police
Donald Shepard, Police
Michele Smith, Parks and Recreation
Jim Tallmadge, Police
Carole Whaley, Finance
Christopher Whitaker, Fleet Management
20 Years
2022
Mark Hollis, Police
Jason Honeycutt, Police
David Hilton, Police
Brandon Stevens, Fire
15 Years
2020
Randy Campbell, Parks and Recreation
Brian Cradic, Fleet Management
Timothy Depriest, Parks and Recreation
Joe Douglas, Water and Sewer Services
Michael Dunn, Police
Aaron Ensor, Juvenile Court
Shawn Harshbarger, Water and Sewer Services
Curtis Hicks, Public Works
Curtis Hollifield, Water and Sewer Services
Melissa Hollifield, Parks and Recreation
Allen Lark, Fleet Management
Nathaniel Marcus, Parks and Recreation
Keith Nave, Police
Kristopher Ross, Water and Sewer Services
Joseph Saylor, Water and Sewer Services
John Spurling, Fire
Neil Stout, Fire
Daniel Till, Water and Sewer Services
Douglas Tittle, Facilities Management
Jeffrey Wilson, Police
2021
Michael Adams, Police
Timothy Conley, Fire
David Shipley, Water and Sewer Services
2022
Joseph Cantrill, Fire
Sharon Green, Juvenile Court
Connie Hill, Police
2020
AJ Blackmore, Fire
Nathan Carrier, Fire
Randy Collins, Freedom Hall
Joshua Franklin, Fire
Michael Hill, Fire
Andy Hodges, Police
Justin Jenkins, Police
Scott Jenkins, Freedom Hall
Todd Justice, Fire
Jeffrey Legault, Police
Shane Malone, Fire
Michael Mcintosh, Police
David Montgomery, Senior Services
Brandon Pachol, Public Works
Lawrence Perry, Public Works
Christopher Smith, Fire
Reggie Sparks, Police
Jeffrey Story, Fire
Rich Thomas, Fire
Michael Tolbert, Water and Sewer Services
2021
Glenn Berry, Administration
Michael Bowers, Police
Carl Bowman, Public Works
Keri Caldwell, Police
Nicholas Estep, Public Works
Randy Griffin, Water and Sewer Services
Arthur Guess, Transit
James Jones, Parks and Recreation
Harold Keller, Public Works
15 Years - Continued
10 Years
2021
Mary Kinnick, Information Technology
Randall Miller, Public Works
Travis Olinger, Water and Sewer Services
Gary Presnell, Fleet Management
Layton Scalf, Water and Sewer Services
Brian Watts, Fleet Management
David Young, Public Works
2022
Sylvia Bachman, Transit
Lorena Bennett, Planning and Development Services
Andy Best, Public Works
Benjamin Blevins, Fire
Beth Gobble, Juvenile Court
Valarie Harless, Purchasing
David Harrell, Information Technology
Darlene Harvey, Transit
Kevin Hicks, Water and Sewer Services
Rondal Hodge, Transit
Zachary Hughes, Fire
Jeromy Jones, Public Works
Andrew Jones, Fire
Calvin Lester, Public Works
Adam Lunceford, Police
Barry McGlothlin, Juvenile Court
Carlos McReynolds, Water and Sewer Services
Alex Menchaca, Information Technology
George Moffitt, Fleet Management
Joseph Mottern, Fire
Arthur Nieminski, Transit
Thomas Norris, Fire
Daryl Perdue, Public Works
Sarah Proffitt, Police
Keisha Shoun, Communications and Marketing
Toma Sparks, Police
Lisa Townsend, Transit
Christie Ward, Finance
Timothy Williams, Water and Sewer Services
2020
William Belton, Transit
Ronald Bishop, Public Works
Mark Bullen, Water and Sewer Services
Angela Collins, Transit
Connie Deegan, Parks and Recreation
Jared Horton, Fire
Christy Kyker, Juvenile Court
Perry Markland, Water and Sewer Services
Corey McKinney, Police
Matthew Money, Water and Sewer Services
Jacob Nickles, Water and Sewer Services
Kenneth Smith, Water and Sewer Services
Butch Taylor, Water and Sewer Services
Benjamin Wexler, Water and Sewer Services
Johnnie Willis, Police
2021
Donald Bradley, Transit
Janet Briggs, Water and Sewer Services
Britton Brumitt, Water and Sewer Services
Robert Casey, Fire
Justin Colbaugh, Fleet Management
Pamela Cullop, Transit
Linda Guess, Parks and Recreation
Jerry Hodges, Public Works
James Hughes, Public Works
Ronald Light, Transit
Vanessa McKinney, Police
Samuel Miller, Parks and Recreation
Leslie Sheehan, Transit
Benji Whitehead, Water and Sewer Services
2022
Melvin Babb, Water and Sewer Services
Clifford Blevins, Transit
Cynthia Bogart, Parks and Recreation
David Campbell, Fleet Management
Kelly Finney, Parks and Recreation
Albert Goins, Transit
2022
Drew Guider, Police
Joshua Hughes, Public Works
Timothy Keller, Water and Sewer Services
Avery Knapp, Fire
Michael Manuel, Water and Sewer Services
Judith McNeil, Fire
Kimberly Odham, Finance
Dean Rose, Fleet Management
Kirt Stillwagon, Police
Paul Zanoni, Facilities Management
Meet the Mountains is scheduled for Aug. 18 and 19. This year, the festival will be held at Winged Deer Park. With this new location, the festival can highlight the features that make this event unique against a picturesque lakefront.
“This has turned into a fantastic opportunity to show the amenities at Winged Deer and use the lake as a feature for the festival,” said Special Events Manager Lindsey Jones
There are two remaining dates to join Parks and Recreation for the Bert Street Concert Series. Held on Fridays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Memorial Park Community Center amphitheater, 510 Bert St., these concerts are free for all ages.
Friday, Aug. 25 — Charlie Maples
Friday, Sept. 1 — Florencia & the Feeling
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs to relax on the amphitheater’s tiered seating area.
This year, the concert series includes a kid zone and a food truck.
The Johnson City Public Art Committee and City staff hosted the fifth annual 5 x 5 Art Exhibit and Fundraiser at The Pavilion at Founders Park on Aug. 4.
More than 200 donated artworks by 90 area artists were for sale.
Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit Johnson City Public Art. Attendees
enjoyed live music as they viewed and purchased the artworks on display.
As in previous years, all artworks were sold on a first-come, first-served basis prompting early attendance from participants.
To learn more about the Johnson City Public Art Committee, visit jcpublicart.com.
For citizens enrolled in JC 101, their nine-week long program began on Aug. 1. This series of classes is an adult educational program designed to enhance citizen awareness and understanding of government’s role in the community. Citizens are introduced to the basics of their government through handson activities, tours, presentations, and question-and-answer periods.
JC 101 touches on every department from Police to Parks and Recreation to Water and Sewer Services.
“JC 101 not only gives our citizens a comprehensive overview of how their government works, but it’s a fun way to get involved
in the community, whether you are a lifetime resident or a newcomer,” said Director of Public Affairs Keisha Shoun.
Thank you to the City staff who participate in this program. Your knowledge and willingness to share it with the community is appreciated.
Aug. 1
Aug 8
Aug. 15
Aug. 22
Aug. 29
Sept. 5
Sept. 12
Sept. 19
Sept. 26
Oct. 5
Welcome Introduction
Parks and Recreation
Water and Sewer Services
Fire
Development Services
Public Works
Transit and Library
Schools and Juvenile Court
Police
JC 101 Graduation
Matthew Rasnick, a native of the Stoney Creek community in Carter County, began his tenure as a trades inspector on July 31. Matthew holds an associate of applied science degree in electrical technology from Northeast State Community College with an electromechanical concentration. He has served as a project manager for Orth Construction. Most recently he was employed by Nuclear Fuels in Erwin.
Johnson City continues to experience an enormous amount of growth which equates to a large and rewarding work load for Planning and Development Services staff. These past few months, planning staff, codes enforcement officers, and trades inspectors have worked hard while operating shorthanded.
Stephanie Cappleman, a native of Bluefield, Va., has 15 years of experience as a project manager in the construction industry in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Charlotte, N.C.
Official Jeff Canon and Director Will Righter echo the excitement of the department staff as they continue to fill positions with committed and dedicated employees. Jeff and Will have focused on building a positive team-oriented environment with staff members who strive for excellent customer service.
Clay Taylor, a native of Abbeville, La., brings 10 years of experience as a customer service supervisor in the private sector and has experience as an off-shore welder on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. He majored in architecture at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana Lafayette). Clay has resided in Elizabethton for the last 14 years.
Bud Jones, a native of St. Petersburg, Fla., graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida State University, and is a retired master sergeant from the Orlando Police Department. Bud’s assignments with the Orlando Police Department included serving as a homicide detective, a supervisor for the undercover vice/drug unit and as a patrol officer.
Please join Planning and Development Services in welcoming these new City employees.
Johnson City Parks and Recreation, Good Samaritan Ministries, 4thirTEEN, Rise Up!, Coalition for Kids, LXI, Freedom Hall Civic Center, and Johnson City Schools partnered for a community-wide Back 2 School Bash on Aug. 6. Freedom Hall
Civic Center hosted the event.
The Back 2 School Bash featured inflatables, carnival games, yard games, food, a live DJ, and more. This was a fun way for students to start the new year.
The Johnson City Police Department welcomed eight police officer trainees to their staff in July. Congratulations on the start of your new career, Officers Gage Stegman, Gary Price, Andre Belton, Jordan Adkins, Michael Rainey, Isabella D’Esposito, Tony Reynaldo and Dakota Couch.
Gwen Hunter, Tree Streets resident, has watched the West Walnut Corridor Redevelopment Project progress through many stages. Recently, Hunter saw firsthand as crews paved a section near her home that has been under construction for months. She expressed
gratitude to the City staff who are working on the project.
Gwen’s email reads, “My husband, Hal and I live one house away from the corner of West Maple and Southwest avenues. Many neighbors were out watching asphalt being poured there late this afternoon. Fantastic!!!
Now maybe tomorrow I can clean my porch floor and mop my house floors and they’ll stay clean for more than one day. Progress is good! Thanks for the informative emails each week. Kudos to all City staff for working with the neighbors and businesses as this process continues. It’s going to be great when it’s done.”
New Hires
Joshua Honeycutt, Water & Sewer Services
Cassie Phipps, Water & Sewer Services
Christopher Ray, Public Works
Devan Burchfield, Solid Waste
Retirements
Brian Rice, Police, 27 Years of Service
Recent Promotions
Jose Amaya, Public Works
Michael Gaylor-Layton, Water & Sewer Services
Trevor Roberts, Water & Sewer Services
Rachel Evans, Parks & Recreation
Jerry Hodges, Solid Waste
Jason Painter, Public Works
Anthony Haynes, Public Works
August 2023
A part of the West Walnut Street Corridor Redevelopment Project included installing stormwater pipes from the Tree Streets to Founders Park. This was a complicated project that involved tunneling under the railroad and extensive work in Founders making parts of the park unusable
throughout the summer.
Public Works is wrapping up construction in time for September festivals. The final work includes repairs to damaged fencing along the railroad tracks.
For City staff who worked through the heat to finish this project, we are grateful.
The Johnson City Police Department reminds motorists to travel with caution as the new school year starts. Remember these safe driver tips.
1. Drivers should be aware of children waiting at bus stops, particularly as mornings become darker.
2. Always stop for buses when the stop arm is out.
3. Hand-held mobile telephones are prohibited in a school zone.
4. Allow extra time for travel before and after school hours, when buses are picking up and dropping off students.
5. Motorists should be alert for students walking on and near the ETSU campus.
6. ETSU students are advised that crossing State of Franklin Road in the area of Millennium Centre may result in a jaywalking citation. Pedestrians must use the pedestrian bridge or a nearby crosswalk.
7. Pedestrians of all ages are encouraged to use caution near traffic. Do not become distracted and look at cell phones or wear headphones when crossing streets.
1.
Name: David Eidson
Title: Director
Department: Information Technology
Started with City: July 2023
Where did you grow up?
Indianapolis until my junior year of high school
2.
What’s your favorite quote or saying?
Don’t stress about things that are outside of your control.
3.
Do you have any pets?
I have five dogs and two cats. Three are Great Pyrenees that protect our other farm animals.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do with some (or all) of the money?
I’d buy the largest piece of land I could find in Tennessee, and move onto it.
6.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world tonight, who would it be?
My late grandpa, Jerry Eidson Sr.
7. Lobster and Steak
If you were on Death Row, what would your last meal be?
8. Lord of the Rings
What movie can you watch over and over and over?
9.
What’s the most recent song you downloaded?
Fast Car by Luke Combs
10. Blake Shelton
What is the last concert you went to?
11.
What is your favorite sport to watch? To play?
I like to watch football & play volleyball.
12.
What is/are your favorite sports team(s)?
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
13.
What do you do when you’re bored?
What is this boredom you speak of?
14.
Who do you consider your hero?
My dad has always been my hero.
15.
What was your first job?
I had a paper route when I was nine.
Johnson City Parks and Recreation has partnered with Johnson City Schools for a month-long Back 2 School Drive. Citizens are encouraged to donate school supplies for children who are in need during the month of August. The Johnson City Schools Homeless Coordinator will distribute the collected supplies to students.
“We want to ensure our students go back to school without having to worry about whether they will have the necessary supplies,” said Promotions and Events Coordinator Tayler Dixon.
Collections sites include Memorial Park Community Center (510 Bert St.), Carver Recreation Center (322 W. Watauga Ave.), Langston Centre (315 Elm St.), and Parks and Recreation Administration Office (4137 Bristol Highway).
For more information, call 423-283-5827.
Items needed include:
- Backpacks
- Wide-ruled paper
- Wide-ruled composition books
- Two-inch three-ring binders
- Wood pencils
- Glue sticks
- Cap erasers
- Pink block erasers
- Red pens
- Colored pencils
- Markers in all sizes
- Crayons
- Safety scissors
- Scotch tape
- Four-pack highlighters
- Dry erase markers
- Pocket folders
- Pencil pouches
- Earbuds
- Three- and five-subject notebooks
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