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BEN Burlington Employees’ Newsletter Dedicated To The People Who Make Government Work January, February, March 2005 January, February, March Blair Thompson, Street Superintendent, has just concluded a one-year term as president of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Public Works Association (NCAPWA). In this positon he was responsible for developing the agenda for committee meetings, presiding at all chapter and executive committee meetings, and appointing committee chairpersons and members. The NCAPWA has over 700 members and is divided into six divisions: administrative management, buildings and Street Superintendent Blair Thompson Ends Term as President of NC Chapter of APWA Inside This Edition . . . Local Government Credit Union Provides Variety of Services . . . Page 2 Ol’ No. 7 Supports NC Firefighter Memorial. . . . Page 3 Firefighters Remember Former Comrade Now Serving In Iraq. . . Page 5 Andrews Elected NCAHCO Director At-Large Minimum Housing Code Inspec- tor Grant Andrews has been elected to serve as a director at-large for the North Carolina Association of Housing Code Officials (NCAHCO). The NCAHCO is comprised of 375 members from cities across North Carolina. The mission of Grant Andrews See Andrews Page 2 Blair Thompson grounds, equipment services, solid waste, streets, and water See Thompson Page 2 resources. Blair’s rise to the presidency began with his election as streets division president in 1997, followed by his selection as membership chairman in 1998. He served as vendor/exhibit chairman three years from 1999 to 2002. In 2002 he was elected to serve as vice-president and was selected to serve in the association’s chief leadership position in 2004. The highlight of Blair’s term as president was the chapter’s selection as the 2004 winner of the Pace Award, ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Local Government Credit Union Offers Array of Services to Members Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) exclu- sively serves municipal and county employees and their families in North Carolina. By focusing efforts on a group of people with a common bond, LGFCU is able to customize services to offer what members want and need. Membership in LGFCU makes you a part owner--an owner with a vote. LGFCU’s board of directors and over- sight committees are volunteer members who are elected by fellow members. LGFCU volunteers and their families are building a strong financial future for one another. LGFCU is a full-service financial insti- tution offering checking, sav- ings (share), and money market accounts; loans, IRAs, credit cards, and many other services. LGFCU reaches its members through approximately 175 branches and more than 800 CashPoints ATMs in North Carolina. A unique contractual agreement with State Employ- ees’ Credit Union (SECU) makes their vast branch and ATM network available to LGFCU members. This rela- tionship give LGFCU members full access to the largest credit union branch and ATM network in the United States. In addition to convenient account access, members are offered low interest rates on loans, high returns on deposits, very low fees and free financial planning services--they even earn interest on checking ac- counts! Join LGFCU is easy and takes very little time. Membership simply requires opening a share (savings) account with as little as $25 either through the Call Center or at a local SECU branch. From there, all ser- vices offered by LGFCU are readily available. For more information on LGFCU, visit www.lgfcu.org, contact the Call Center at [PHONE REDACTED]. or visit a local branch. To find the nearest branch or ATM to you log on to www.lgfcu.org. this association is examine state codes as they relate to minimum housing, junk car, housing, towing cars off private property and streets and vacant lots. The association also provides networking opportunities and support and helps ensure member compli- ance with the North Carolina General Statutes. Grant has been a member of NCAHCO for four years and took the oath of office as director at-large in October 2004. As a member of the NCAHCO board Grant will be working to organize the association biannual workshops as well as assisting in the development of an association website. Andrews from Page 1 presented annually to the chapter judged to have the most positive impact upon its membership, their profession, and their community. When asked what he enjoyed the most during his term as president, Blair said, “Serving the membership. In this position it is all about serving the membership. I’ve enjoyed my term as president and look forward to continued involvement with NCAPWA.” Thompson from Page 1 Congratulations to Randy Perry (IT) and his wife, Katina, on the birth of a boy, Joshua Randall Perry, November 22, 2004. Stork News Jeff Mitchell (Traffic Signs) married Myatt October 9, 2004. Wedding Bells ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Movin’ Up Movin’ On Kurt Pearson, Planning, promoted to Asst. Dir. for Planning Services. Henry Ursery, Street, promoted to Equip. Operator II. John Pritchette, W&S, promoted to Maint. Worker II. Brian Jobe, W&S, promoted to Pipe Maintenance Supervisor I. Movin’ In Michael Juarez, Police April Dunn, Telecommunicator Beverly Melton, Fire Granville Simmons, Police Todd Bost, Street John Buchanan, Street Ricky Patterson, Street Robert Williams, W&S Cecil Dove, W&S, promoted to Equip. Operator III Travis Deaton, W&S, promoted to Equip. Operator II. Jim Lauritsen, Engineering, promoted to Dir. Development and Technical Services. Frank Hope, Tax, promoted to Admin. Services/Revenue Collections Director. Chris Verdeck, Police, promoted to Lieutenant. Gene Perry, Police, promoted to Captain. Ginger Owen, Police, promoted to Telecommunicator II. Jeremy Paul, Police, promoted to Corporal. John Bigelow, Police, promoted to Sergeant. Tommy King, Police, promoted to Staff Sergeant. Jevon Curtis, Street, promoted to Supervisor I. William Marsh, Police, promoted to Police Officer. Gary Fitch, Police, promoted to Police Officer. Stacey Thompson-Allen, Police, promoted to Police Officer. Jennifer Bradley, Police, promoted to Police Officer. David Steward, Police, promoted to Police Officer First Class. Renee Ward, Police, promoted to Deputy City Clerk. Vickie Saunders, Police, retired October 1, 2004. Ol’ No. 7 Supports NC Firefighter Memorial (From Left to Right) Captain Keith Lohr, Engineer Joel Davis, Jack Daniels Master Distiller Jimmy Bedford, and Firefighter Chad Fleming pose for a recent picture at Davis Harley Davidson in Burlington. The Jack Daniels Distillery was approached by the North Carolina Firefighters Memo- rial Organization for a $2,500 donation to go toward building a memorial to fallen firefighters. In response to this request, the company initiated a fund raising event which involves placing the famous elixir in commemorative bottles and delivering them to local ABC boards for sale to the public. The project is expected to raise over $50,000 for the memorial. Bedford was in Burlington to autograph some of these limited-edition bottles. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Congratulation to the following on their recent accomplish- ments: Chris Wilson, son of Marilyn Wilson (Tax), successfully completed the 2004 Berlin Marathon in Germany. The Berlin Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the world as over 44,000 runners, walk- ers, wheelchair athletes, and skaters participated in the race. Chris finished the 26 Kudos mile course with a time of four hours and 16 minutes. He lives in Berlin with his wife, Annika, and teaches English at the Tandem International Language School. The City of Burlington Fi- nance Department has for the fifth consecutive year received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. This award is the highest form of achievement in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting that can be be- stowed upon a governmental entity. Al Smith, Police, won first place in the SI Flex Natural Physique Association Champi- onship in Richmond, Virginia. The Pet Adoption Center, located on Quarry Road in Haw River, is giving many stray and abandoned animals an opportunity to find a new home. “The need to adopt our animal knows no season,” says Captain Gene Perry. “Pet adoptions have a ten- dency to drop off during the winter months, and we are unsure why. Perhaps it’s the weather or maybe holiday expenditures that may cause people to take less interest in bring a dog or cat into their home.” The cost to adopt a cat is $60 and $80 to adopt a dog. This cost includes spay and neutering and rabies shots. A total of 581 animals have been adopted since the center opened in April of last year-- well ahead of the number of adoptions at this same time last year. While Captain Perry is happy with the increase in the adop- tion rate, his ultimate goal is to Pet Adoption Center Needs Your Help find every animal the center receives a home. “We get some animals that would make really good pets, and I’d like to see all of them find a good home.” While finding stray and aban- doned homes is the primary function of the adoption center, the center also provides tips on pet care. “Winter can be tough on animals, especially those kept outdoors,” said Gene. He suggest those with pets who live outside take the following measures: 1) Keep animals inside if pos- sible. If this is not possible, provide a house that is properly sized for the animal. 2) Place a blanket or cedar shavings in the house to help keep your pet warm. 3) Provide your pet adequate food and water. Remember water may freeze overnight so you’ll need to replace it in the Chris Mundy holds one one of the animals available at the Pet Adoption Center morning. 4) If your pet is kept in a fenced pen, drape a tarp over the pen to help protect the animal from snow and rain. “We receive many calls from concerned residents com- plaining about a dog in their neighborhood that has a dog house but refuses to go in it,” says Gene. “If the owner has provided a house and the dog refuses to go in it, there is nothing we can do about that.” ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 Firefighters Remember Comrade Serving in Iraq Did You Know? The Burlington Recreation and Parks Department and the Alamance-Burlington School System offers an After School Program at the following schools: Burlington Day School, Eastllawn Elementary, Grove Park Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Newlin Elementary, Smith Elementary, and Fairchild Community Center. Program hours are from 2:30 pm to 6 pm Monday through Friday. The program also operates on certain teacher workdays, holidays, and snow days and provides field trips, study time and assistance, and arts and crafts in a safe and fun-filled environment. For more information call 222-5072 or 229-3150. What a difference a year can make. Last year Dustin Clapp was a firefighter with the Burlington Fire Depart- ment. While he is no longer with the Fire Department, he remains in the fire service and his response area is far more hazardous than any neighborhood in Burlington. Dustin is currently serving as a firefighter in Fallujah, Iraq. Though Dustin no longer works for the City, those he served with have not forgot- ten him. Battalion Chief Todd Neese led a depart- ment-wide effort to collect necessary items and treats for him with the hope he would receive them before Christmas. Toothpaste, liquid soap, hot rod magazines, candy, and handmade Christ- mas cards from E.M. Yoder Elementary School were among the items shipped to him. Dustin worked for the Fire Department for nearly two years and was assigned to Engine Company Four stationed near Colonial Mall. His service in Iraq is not affiliated with the American Military. Todd has communicated with Dustin via email and has learned a lot about his living conditions. “He lives in a tent on a base that was recently hit by four explosive missiles. We’ve also heard there is a tremendous water shortage there.” Dustin signed a one-year commitment to serve in Iraq. “He is still young and is doing one of those adventurous things many young people feel they have to do,” said Todd. Pay may be a motivator as well as what Dustin is earning in Iraq is considerably more than what firefighters make in the states. “Doing this for Dustin was our way of letting him know we’re thinking of him.” said Todd. We all wish him a safe return.” The Burlington Recreation and Parks Department offers Kids Night Out programs at Fairchild Community Center. Kids Night Out is a night filled with games, movies, activities, snacks, and loads of fun. Kids Night Out provides kids a break from their parents and parents a break from their kids. Parents drop their kids off at 7:30 pm Friday night and return to pick them up by 9 am Saturday morning. Kids Night Out is open to kids ages five through 12. Cost is $10 per child. For more information call 222-5072. The following events are scheduled for the Paramount Theater for the month of January: January 29: Kevin Douglas (Bluegrass Show) January 30: Seasons of the Paramount - My Soul is a Witness The Burlington Aquatics Center is offering Water Aerobics Classes. Water walking along with deep and shallow water aerobic classes are available. Classes are taught Monday through Saturday and range from low to high intensity. Call the Aquatics Center at 222- 5043. A Lawn Care Class will be held at Thataways Teen Center Saturday, March 5, from 2 pm until 5 pm. The class is designed to help participants get their lawnmower in shape and will provide lawn and garden tips for the upcoming cutting season. Local lawn and garden professionals will be on hand to provide advice on cutting, seeding, and lawn mower maintenance. To register call 229-3148 or 222-5134.