The platitudes for the department came during City Manager Joseph Scherer’s report to council this evening.
“The public works department demonstrated outstanding dedication and professionalism in their actions responding to the effects of Hurricane Matthew October 8th and 9th of this year,” Scherer said. “The in-depth knowledge of their jobs, total dedication to duty and willingness to assist in any capacity led to the city not suffering any major problems from the hurricane’s torrential rain and wind.”
Scherer said the department’s employees always contribute full measure to any task and their willingness to accept added responsibility “in situations such as the storm’s response shows they are willing to discharge their responsibilities with complete efficiency and tireless dedication.”
Said the city manager: “I personally observed the department’s personnel to be extremely knowledgeable, industrious and completely resourceful in handling dangerous situations such as street flooding and removing downed trees around power lines. To fully accomplish their tasks, many hours of weekend off-time were required, yet all of the workers were uncomplaining and gave willingly and freely of their personal time and energy. The teamwork demonstrated by everyone during and after the storm was exceptional.”
Scherer praised public works Director Larry Chalker for optimizing manpower and material resources to effectively respond to the storm and mitigate its impacts to the city. “His personal initiative and leadership skills identify him as being head and shoulders above any other public works leader in the state. He runs an orderly and highly productive organization in any environment, to include a hurricane storm.”
Chalker’s decisiveness and determination were key to how the department worked during two days of storm response. “Mr. Chalker is especially adept at dealing with his employees and his demeanor, confidence and spirit of cooperation have been highly commendable in many crisis situations such as Hurricane Matthew, Being very poised and self-reliant, he maintains his composure under the most trying conditions.
“The city is very fortunate to have the dedicated personnel we do in the public works department and they should be recognized for their efforts, both in this instance and every day.”
Chalker said the recognition goes to not only his employees, but the fire department and police department. “We were working hand in hand with them and with Dominion Power.”
The city offered its services to harder hit areas in the state, Chalker said.
The department put in 375 hours during the storm which equated to $9,254 in labor costs and $4,000 in equipment costs. The equipment costs are based on FEMA and state schedules which are possibly eligible for reimbursement.
The city collected 782 cubic yards of debris, which was small compared to the 73,672 cubic yards of debris collected during Irene in 2011. “We lost 12 trees of substantial size,” Chalker said.
Said Mayor Emery Doughtie: “Thank you for a job well done.”