Asheville Mayor recognizes frontline and onsite City employees with proclamation

Posted on by Web Editors - CAPE
Water Operations photo
City of Asheville frontline workers include these Water Resources crew members, whose jobs include meter readers and technicians, system repair and distribution, and cross-connection control workers. Front row, kneeling, left to right are Tahrista "T.J." Massey, Mattie McPeters, Josh McDevitt, Randy Rhodes, Lisa Webb and Connie Gault Back row, left to right are Mike Revis, Jerod Walker, Vernon Colla, Wayne Witzke, Mason Edwards, Landon Altman, Shane Lunsford and Matt Kouns. Also in the background is backhoe operator Dustin Hickman.
In recognition of City frontline and  onsite employees who have remained on the job during
the COVID pandemic, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer issued a proclamation
designating Jan. 12 as City Employee Heroes Day.

While all employees are essential workers, because all City jobs have to be done in order to provide our community with vital City services, approximately 20% of the workforce has been able to work from home. For the remainder of our workers, this was not an option.

Employees in Public Works, Public Safety, Water, IT, Capital Projects, Harrah’s Cherokee Center, Parks and Recreation, Development Services, Transportation, Communication and Public Engagement, and Employee Health Services have been required to work onsite or in the frontlines during the State of Emergency posted by the pandemic. This includes 197 onsite workers, 695 frontline and 103 temp/seasonal employees.

The Mayor’s proclamation reads, in part:

“WHEREAS, these employees accepted the increased risks from their jobs and showed up daily to provide critical services to our community; and

“WHEREAS, these employees demonstrated their commitment to public service …the City of Asheville recognizes the significant work and sacrifices of our frontline and onsite employees and are especially grateful for their service to the residents of Asheville.”

In addition to the proclamation, employees will be recognized by having their names run on the Harrah’s Cherokee Center marquee this week.

“We appreciate the dedication to this community these employees have demonstrated,” said Mayor Manheimer. “They accepted the increased risks from their jobs posed by the COVID pandemic and showed up daily to provide critical services to our community.”

Find a copy of the proclamation at this link.