The more than 400 city of Fulton employees, retirees, family and friends in attendance made the 2014 city picnic on Friday the biggest on record, but department heads named one road worker who stood above the rest.
The city of Fulton named Street Supervisor Gary Felkner as its 2014 Employee of the Year at the picnic, held Friday at Memorial Park. Felkner was chosen out of four nominees by the city's department heads, earning a $50 bonus and a 2.5 percent raise.
"He's made a great impact on many different departments, and is always willing to jump in and do what needs to be done," said Director of Administration Bill Johnson. "He doesn't ask why, he jumps in and gets it done in a professional manner."
Other nominees were Animal Control Supervisor Tina Barnes, purchasing department buyer Mike Hopsecker and Parks and Recreation programmer Sharlene McArtor, who all received a $25 bonus.
Felkner has been with the city for 27 years, having started working at the landfill before moving to the street department and working his way to supervisor. He said winning the award was "something I never thought I would be able to get, but it just felt good."
"I've got a good crew, a good bunch of guys who are willing to work with me," Felkner said. "They're kind of like I am, if we have to, we'll go above and beyond to do whatever we'll need to do for the city."
Felkner said professionalism and hard work are important to him and his crew because they worked for the public and "want to do our best to make the public happy." It was a sentiment Mayor LeRoy Benton said ran through the entire city during his welcoming speech.
Benton praised city crews for their help in accomplishing a number of projects during his tenure as mayor, including building a new fire station, moving into the current police station and earning the RP3 Award from the American Public Power Association for reliable electricity service.
"The council wants to let all employees know that we really appreciate their efforts through the year and their professionalism," Benton said. "The RP3 award was a great "attaboy' for the electric department but that "attaboy' goes throughout the city, because they can't get done what they do without you."
Additionally, the city council volunteered to serve dessert to employees during the picnic. Some employees earned door prizes donated by city departments and local businesses, and through a vendor's donation of 100 fishing rods, every child in attendance went home with a new pole.
Dean Asher can be reached at (573) 826-2417 or [email protected].