Three Celebrates Years of Service
By: Shelia Mader
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners began its meeting by recognizing three county employees for their years of dedicated service.
Jackson County Fire Rescue Chief Charlie Brunner first recognized firefighter/EMT Mitchell Rister for five years of service with the department.
“I'd like to recognize one of my employees for five years of loyal and dedicated service,” Brunner said. “He is a firefighter EMT. We appreciate all he does for Jackson County.”
The next recognitions came from departments overseen by Deputy Administrator Rett Daniels, who honored employees from the county's parks department and animal control division.
Daniels first called forward Rodney Ellis, a parks technician.
“Rodney is a little bit of a unique case,” Daniels said. “I'm going to brag on him a little bit. We first got Rodney as a contract laborer through some of the CARES programs during the COVID era. We liked him so much that we offered him a full-time position, and he's now been with us full-time for five years. Rodney, we appreciate your service.”
Daniels then recognized Edmund Garrett for a decade of service with Jackson County Animal Control.
“Edmund Garrett has been with us in animal control for 10 years, and we're glad to have him,” Daniels said. “When animal control became part of public works in 2018, Edmund was already an important member of the team. He worked his way up and now serves as a supervisor in the department. He's a key asset to the county, working hand in hand with the sheriff's office and other partners. We really appreciate Edmund, and we thank him for 10 years of service.”
Commissioner Donnie Branch also took a moment to commend the honorees and other long-serving county employees.
“Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I'd just like to say I appreciate employees who have been here for an extended period of time,” Branch said. “You don't see that in many places anymore. A lot of people work somewhere for a year or two and then move on. I appreciate the ones who stick it out through the good and the bad, and I think the rest of the board would echo that sentiment.”
The board unanimously approved the service recognitions. Each employee received a certificate of appreciation and a $200 service award.
