City recognizes outstanding employees
PRESQUE ISLE — The city of Presque Isle held its fourth annual Employee Appreciation Banquet on April 29 in the E. Perrin Edmunds Conference Center at Northern Maine Community College. The event was hosted by City Manager Jim Bennett and emceed by Deputy City Manager Martin Puckett. The banquet honored an Employee of the Year, retirees, volunteers, and board and committee members. In addition, each department honored outstanding employees.
Photos courtesy of Kim Smith
CITY EMPLOYEES were recently recognized at a ceremony held at NMCC. Honorees included, from left: Vince Baldwin, Harley Carmichael, Jr., Adam Gardiner, Dana Fowler, Tim Gray, Sandy Bonville, Priscilla Kesler, Deb Ouellette, Kim Finnemore, Jocelyn Marquis, Sharon DeMerchant, Ryan Silvia and David McCausland.
MARRIA BAGLEY was named Presque Isle’s Employee of the Year during a recent ceremony at the Edmunds Conference Center at NMCC.
Bennett recapped the great successes in each department. He then introduced the 2014 “Employee of the Year” as someone that works diligently throughout the day and has done so for her 18 years with the city; gets what it means to provide good customer service; functions at the highest level; and has a work ethic that is unmatched.
Bennett stated, “Every person that interacts with her understands that she cares about their issue and works hard to treat them with respect and professionalism. She is a positive contributor to the organization. Please join me in extending your congratulations to the 2014 Employee of the Year, Marria Bagley.”
During a period of time when she was the only person working in the three-person tax assessor’s office, she worked the extra hours needed to get the job done without complaint, the manager said.
Bennett asked all volunteers to stand and introduce themselves as well as their roles with the city, noting that each volunteer is equally as important to the success of the departments they serve as their fellow employees.
Certificates of Appreciation for outstanding employee efforts were presented to:
• Police Department: Civilian of the Year Pam Sutherland; Officer of the Year Bill Scull; and Officer Kaitlyn McLaughlin, for her commitment to fitness.
• Finance Department: Deb Ouellette, Kim Finnemore, Sharon DeMerchant and Priscilla Kesler;
• Library: Melissa St. Pierre and Dave McCausland;
• Public Services: As a group, the Public Works Division was recognized. Individuals recognized were: Tim Gray and Dave Dunn.
• Rec & Parks: Sandy Bonville; and
• Fire Department: Fireman of the Year went to Ryan Sylvia.
In addition, 2014 Service Awards were presented to the following:
• Recognized 30 for years of service: Dana Fowler, director of public services.
• Honored for 25 years of service were: Russ Clark, maintenance, Forum and Northern Maine Regional Airport.
• Recognized for 20 years of service were: Brian McQuarrie and Joey Seeley, both police officers;
• Honored for 15 years of service were: Sandy Bonville, administrative assistant, Recreation and Parks Department; Bonnie Smith, cataloguer, library; Vince Baldwin, firefighter, fire department; and Bev Labbe, city clerk.
• Marking 10 years of service to the community are: BJ Estey, firefighter, fire department; and Jocelyn Marquis court clerk, police department.
• Five years of service — Rod Perkins, custodian, general government; Ellen Nickerson, custodian, airport; and Rod Cameron, custodian, library.
Retirees recognized this year included: David Caron (truck driver, Public Works Department, 23 years); Wayne Selfridge (corporal, police department, 20 years); and Jack McLean (maintenance worker, Public Works, 12 years).
City Councilor Craig Green also delivered a message to the employees from the Council.
Green told the crowd of city employees, “We as a city have had a turbulent few years while many forces outside of our control have caused a swift change in how we do business. It has not gone unnoticed by the Council that the employees have kept up their usual high standards when dealing with the public. Your professionalism is exemplary and your dedication is unwavering. This is the reason that we as councilors consistently hear from the public — good stories of how someone went out of their way to help a citizen.”