It was a morning to say ‘Thank you!’
Close to 50 Habersham County employees were celebrated for their dedicated years of service to the county at a breakfast held Friday morning, Dec. 1.
“I work with a team of amazing people. The people of Habersham County can never say enough words to thank you for all that you do,” expressed Habersham County Manager Alicia Vaughn. “From the bottom of my heart, you are the greatest asset in Habersham County. You ARE Habersham County.”
Commissioners Jimmy Tench, Bruce Palmer, and Ty Akins attended the recognition breakfast held at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville. During the event, Akins presented certificates to the employees recognizing their 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 55 years of service to the county.
The highlight of the morning
Joan Church, a name familiar to just about anyone who lives in Habersham County, was emotional when she received a standing ovation for her 55 years of service. Commissioner Bruce Palmer expressed, “55 years is unheard of in today’s society. Thank you for what you have done for this community.”
She began in 1967 and has worked her way up. Church said she has been through a lot of changes over the years. Church has worked in the Tax Assessors Office and remembers when the county had 8000 parcels of land as compared to 23,000 parcels now.
“There are always negatives in any job, but I focus on the positives,” Church expressed.
It was her original plan to work until she was 85 years old. “That’s only 5 years away for me now,” Church said with a smile, having recently turned 80 years of age.
When asked about the secret to her success, Church attributes it to her faith in God.
“It has been a privilege to work in Habersham County. I have met so many different people from different places and different walks of life. I’ve never been one to want to just go home and sit there. I’ve always wanted to be doing something.” Church said.
Her advice to young people starting in a career is “Find something you enjoy doing. You are going to have challenges to overcome, but if you keep your main focus, you will get there.
Five-year service certification
County Commissioners Bruce Palmer, Jimmy Tench, and Chairman Ty Akins joined in saying thank you to the following employees for five years of service to Habersham County: Nadia Newsom (E-911); Hope Adams, Director Jeffrey Adams, Keith Borton, Royce Eller, Teresa Kimsey, David Norton, William Ramsey, Angela Turk, Brandon Whitney, and James Woods (Emergency Services); Michael Alexander, Brandon Fields, Andrew Galloway, Joshua Garrett, Mark Gerrin, Jacob Palmer, Christopher Palmer, and Jamie Tyler (Fire); Alexander Wimberly (Information Technology); Russell Gosnell and Shelby Jardine (Jail); Kenneth Adams and Jay Mull (Roads & Bridges); David Jackels and Wesley Littlejohn (School Resource Officers); Eic Luders, Justin McClain, and Andra Townsend (Sheriff).
10 years of service
Celebrating ten years of service to Habersham County: April Haygood (Clerk of Court), Paul Hughes (Facilities Management), Kiani Holden (Finance), and Cathy Irvin (State Court).
15 years of service
Chairman Ty Akins awarded four Habersham County employees with certificates recognizing their service to the community for 15 years: Jason Hewell (Facilities Management), Paul Jardine (Jail), James Welborn (Sheriff), and Sandra Stanley (Tax Commissioner).
20 years of service
Recognized for twenty years of service to Habersham County were James McNally(Fire), Jeffery Parker (Fire), Amy Thomas (Magistrate Court), Leslie Hendrix (Sheriff), Tammy Yoder (Tax Commissioner), and Jamon Deforest (Transit).
25 years of service
At a quarter of a century, four employees were recognized for twenty-five years of employment in Habersham County: Melanie Bellinger (E-911), Belinda Konarski (E-911), Michael Bramlett (Facilities Management), and Loyeta Frady (Tax Assessors).
Thirty years of service
For thirty dedicated years, Laurel Ellison (Elections and registration), Jewell Shirley (Planning and Development), and Judge Steve Campbell have served the people of Habersham County.
Forty years of service
Diana Gallegos was recognized this morning for forty years of service to Habersham County. Joan works in the area of Information Technology.
