Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The City of Effingham would like to congratulate Firefighter AJ Tackett of the Effingham Fire Department on being awarded Employee of the Year as a part of the City’s Employee Recognition Program. There were three other employees nominated for the award: Officer David Meyers, Catelyn Vail, and Jordan Budde.
The Employee of the Year Award recognizes an employee who earned Employee of the Quarter for demonstrating either distinguished or extraordinary service during the fiscal quarter or other accomplishments that typically go unnoticed but are worthy of recognition.
Firefighter Tackett was nominated for going above and beyond his job duties in the Fire Department. Firefighter Tackett has most recently overseen the design and build of a new Fire Engine for the department. What might seem like a miniscule task has actually been a project in the making for almost two years. From choosing the style of the engine that best suites our city and residents, to planning each compartment for every single tool that will be used in emergency situations, Firefighter Tackett has spent countless hours working with the design team at the factory. He has also considered the need for this engine to serve our citizens for years to come planning additional space and compartments to allow for future growth in an ever-evolving world of fire and rescue.
Because Firefighter Tackett worked tirelessly on this project and was able to personally see it through to completion, delivery time has been shortened by a full year with savings upwards of 20%, if this same engine was ordered today. With delivery of the new engine scheduled to be here soon, we feel Firefighter Tackett is most deserving of this recognition for going above and beyond his normally assigned tasks.
The City appreciates your continued participation in our Employee Recognition Program. If you notice a City employee going above and beyond to serve you, please let us know by calling City Hall at 217-342-5300 or emailing jkemper@effinghamil.com!
In other news from the meeting, the City Council heard from City Engineer Luke Thoele about construction on Evergreen Avenue at the Willenborg intersection. Thoele said bids will be opened for the first phase of the project. Preliminary work on the Fayette Avenue Expansion is also underway, with the Council awarding a $203,000 contract to replace a sewer force main on Fayette Avenue.
Deputy City Administrator Dennis Presley also reported that the City’s new website should go online at the start of July, and Tourism Director Jodi Thoele reminded that the VW Funfest is set for June 17th, and the annual Welcome Fest is set for June 16th.
Fire Chief Brant Yochum also introduced paid-on-call firefighters Austin Siemer, Stetson Traub, Kyle Swanson, Amanda Yost, Robert Reardon, Matthew Loy and Kelly Hamel.
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