The city of Richmond Hill honored three "Employees of the Year" in the departments of public safety, governmental and public works. The winners received their awards Tuesday as part of the annual awards banquet, which is held each year in conjunction with Georgia Cities Week.
Governmental Employee of the Year went to Planning and Zoning Administrator Nancy Frye. Public Safety Employee of the Year went to Richmond Hill Police Department Municipal Court Clerk Lisa Long. Public Works Employee of the Year went to equipment operator Julius Scriven.
Richmond Hill Mayor Richard Davis and City Manager Mike Melton announced each winner from the podium at the Wetlands Center in front of 75 fellow city employees.
Davis said Frye, who has been a city employee for 15 years, "helps others, works hard and is involved in many projects that benefit the city." In addition to her formal duties, Frye also is on the committees for Relay for Life, Richmond Hill Christmas Parade and the Seafood Festival.
"I’m very excited and honored," Frye said. "I love this city and my job, and I’m flattered by this award."
In recognition of the public safety winner, Davis read a statement from RHPD Chief Billy Reynolds which said Long "has worked for the department for 10 years and has consistently excelled at every position she has been appointed."
"It was an honor to be nominated," Long said "I’ve really enjoyed working for this city, and I enjoy the people I work with."
Davis said Scriven, an employee of public-private partner OMI (Operations Management Inc.) which handles city public works, is "highly respected by his peers. When a supervisor is not on site, Julius fills that role and adds value to the job by doing so. His skill as an equipment operator has been utilized in other departments as a trainer for new employees."
Scriven said he operates all the equipment throughout the city and doesn’t mind working long hours. He said he is usually the first person called to a site because he lives here in the city, and he appreciates being recognized for the work he has put in since joining OMI two years ago.
Melton and Davis thanked all the city employees at the banquet for their hard work and dedication.
"I don’t have plans to run for mayor again, and everybody asks me ‘aren’t you going to miss it?’," Davis said. "I won’t miss the job, but I’m going to miss the people. We couldn’t have the great city we have without the efforts of the people in this room."