YOUR MONTHLY NEWS & UPDATES | |
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Upcoming 'City Talks' Sessions
Win Honey Hunters Baseball Tickets
Gastonia Awarded by NC League of Municipalities
Watch Gastonia's Linemen Rodeo Run
AND MUCH MORE!
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First off… a huge ‘thank you’ to all of our employees for your active participation in this year’s benefits Open Enrollment in May!
We achieved 100% completion by our enrollment deadline, which helps us to help you!
If you have any questions as our new benefits plan year goes into effect July 1, please reach out to Teddi Daniels, Benefits Administrator.
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This month, our education focuses on “Retirement Readiness.” The City of Gastonia offers THREE different retirement plan options for our full-time, benefits-eligible staff:
- NC Retirement Pension
- NC 401(k) plan
- NC 457 plan
Each plan offers a unique opportunity to save for retirement.
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Our Pension plan provides a lifetime monthly payment to retirees who complete years of service and/or age requirements to meet either a reduced or full retirement benefit. In addition to your 6% pre-tax deferrals made to your account each payday, the City of Gastonia also makes an employer contribution! As you near your retirement, please reach out to Teddi Daniels to schedule a ‘projection’ appointment, where you can discuss the various factors that determine the dollar amount of your monthly benefit. These factors include: your retirement date, your age, your beneficiary’s age, your amount of creditable service (which can include a bump from your unused sick hours and/or vacation hours over your allowable maximum), and your average final compensation. You have direct input on several of these factors, and we can take a look at how different timelines and balances can affect your personal benefit.
Our 401(k) and 457 plans are additional retirement savings vehicles available to use in conjunction with your pension opportunity. Each of these plans offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options. Even if you choose not to defer to the 401(k) plan, the City makes a 5% contribution of your earnings each pay cycle to your account --this is straight contribution and not a match! Our Retirement Counselor, Robert Sipprell, is available to provide projections and financial advice on each of these plans, and at no cost to you! If you would like to contact him directly, he can be reached at 704.219.9431 or via email at Robert.Sipprell@Prudential.com.
The average length of time in retirement is approximately 20 years.
By planning now, you can directly impact the path you take to retire!
For more information on benefits please contact:
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City Talks With Michael Peoples
You may recall taking several employee surveys in the past year that asked for feedback on your work environment. The survey results were gathered from participants and responses have all been reviewed for consideration.
To help open up dialogue needed for better understanding of issues affecting employees, our City Manager Michael Peoples, will be hosting several discussions with employees. These open forum discussions will take place during the month of June for all employees.
Your participation is needed to have productive discussions for better understanding. You can help lead by suggesting solutions to workplace problems or by simply bringing issues to the forefront for awareness.
Attendance is not mandatory and registration is not needed. Below is a list of available dates and locations.
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Please coordinate the best time to attend a City Talks session with your supervisor.
For any questions, please reach out to Mary Elliott, Director of Communications & Marketing at:
Mary.Elliott@gastonianc.gov or call 704-866-6749.
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Meet our new Director of Public Utilities
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Congratulations to Brian Potocki on his recent promotion to Director of Public Utilities. Born in Ohio, Potocki moved to Shelby, NC while still in elementary school. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2001. That degree led Potocki to his first job with the City as Construction Inspector in the Engineering Division. Six months later he became Subdivision Administrator and then became a licensed Professional Engineer in 2006. | | |
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This career path led Potocki to the role as Supervisor for the Engineering Construction Inspection Team. In 2015, he was promoted from Engineering to Operations, becoming the Division Manager of Utilities Maintenance in the Public Utilities Department. From there he continued to grow, later becoming Assistant Director, and now the Director of Public Utilities. His City career is another pure testament to Gastonia's opportunity for growth.
While education has helped open doors for Potocki, he says the City helped mold him into who he is today. “My first day as a City employee, my supervisor handed me City engineering specification and detail books and directed me to go inspect a waterline installation project. Although I had my degree and was educated, I did not have the experience and field work opportunities thus far. I look back on those days and realize that was truly the first day when my real education began and desire to help build a strong community was strengthened.”
In his spare time Potocki enjoys woodworks, golfing, auto mechanics, gardening, hiking, estate sales, antique radio restoration, and short getaways to the mountains. His next adventure will be an Alaskan cruise and possibly a trip to Europe.
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Potocki credits his family for his success. “My wife is my best friend and has been for 30 years. I have an 18-year-old son that just finished his first year at UNC Chapel Hill, studying biomedical engineering. He has recently started fashion modeling and has an opportunity to travel the world and experiencing life on a scale I will never know. My wife and I have raised him to seek God’s will in all he does. He is humble and a man of the Lord. That is my biggest accomplishment in life. | |
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Potocki leads by a pretty simple life philosophy, “I don’t expect anyone to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. I strive for excellence and expect other to give it their best. I enjoy life every day, regardless of what stress may arise.” He looks forward to working with Public Utilities to provide the best water, wastewater, and electric service for customers while being good stewards of the environment, and maintaining public health.
Congratulations on becoming the Director of Public Utilities!
You can reach Brian Potocki at:
Brian.Potocki@gastonianc.gov or call (704) 866-6728.
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AML Learning Culture of the Year Award
Michael Peoples, City Manager, accepted the award for Learning Culture of the Year from Scott Neisler, NCLM President and Mayor of Kinds Mountain. The recipient of this award has the highest number of people from their municipality to complete AML trainings during the past year.
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“This award marks a significant milestone in our training with NCLM, which is important for our community to know that learning and training is a priority for our city and our employees,” said Peoples. | | |
AML Learning Excellence Award
Suzanne Gibbs, City Clerk, received the ALM Learning Excellence Award. This award is presented to the elected official or municipal staff who completed the highest number of AML trainings during the past year. The non-profit organization offers various types of trainings from cyber liability to law enforcement.
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“It’s very exciting to receive this award for completing the training and as a result I believe I am more knowledgeable and confident to perform my job to serve our citizens,” said Gibbs.
For more details on the NCLM awards, please visit our City News Source website.
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2023 National Public Works Week Luncheon | |
Here’s a firsthand glimpse at the 2023 National Public Works Week Luncheon held at Gastonia’s Farmer’s Market on Friday May 19. Among attendees were employees from the divisions that make up Public Works including: Field Operations, Fleet Services, Solid Waste, Utilities Maintenance, Building Maintenance, MOC Administration. | |
Thanks to everyone in the Public Works Division for keeping the City up and running. We couldn’t do it without each of you! | |
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Photo: Sandy Merrell with Mayor Walker Reid during the NPWW Luncheon.
A special Happy 50th Anniversary goes to Sandy Merrell, Billing Specialist II of the Public Works Division! Could you believe after working for 33 years, she retired for just one month, only to return to the City for 17 more years?
Congratulations on celebrating your 50th year as a City employee!
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Great American Cleanup Volunteer Winners
The winners for most garbage collected during April's Great American Cleanup efforts, which several City departments participated in, has been announced by Keep Gastonia Beautiful Administrator, Juliann Lehman.
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While there were a few teams that put up big numbers, it was the Waste Water Treatment Plant employees who secured the 1st place award and celebrated with a pizza party. Their department collected 600 lbs. of trash, including tires and a TV.
Photo above from left to right includes: Cody Austin, Juliann Lehman, Chris English, Stephanie Jackson, Christy Key, Ashton Cattenhead, Mike Alexander.
Hat’s off to the winners and all 2023 GAC volunteers for going above and beyond to keep our City looking pristine!
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For details on volunteering opportunities to help Keep Gastonia Beautiful please contact:
Juliann Lehman
Keep Gastonia Beautiful Administrator
(704) 869-1968
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24th Annual NCAMES Lineman’s Rodeo
Gastonia Electric sent one judge and four competitors to the 24th Annual NCAMES Lineman's Rodeo in Greenville, NC on May 18, 2023. The yearly rodeo gives line-workers the opportunity to showcase their skills like pole climbing, hurt man rescue, and equipment repairs to peers and family members, all while being judged on speed, agility and, most importantly, safety. Gastonia's linemen were excited to participate and did a great job!
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JOURNEYMAN CLASS
1st Place Winner
Tyson Linerfelt won 1st Place Overall for his participation in the Journeyman class competition.
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JOURNEYMAN CLASS
2nd Place Winner
Joseph Haas (pictured on right) took home 2nd place in the Double Bell Change and 8th overall.
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David Trull won 7th Overall in the Apprentice Class competition as well. | | |
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Tyson Lingerfelt, Joseph Haas, Jody Kiser, David Trull, Will Weston
Here's a peek at some of this year's Lineman Rodeo show in action below:
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***Win Tickets to Honey Hunters Game*** | |
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Let's Play Trivia
Each month during baseball season you will have a chance to win tickets to a Honey Hunters baseball game at CaroMont Health Park.
To win, just open the newsletter and be one of the first players to correctly answer the trivia question.
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There are multiple tickets up for grabs so don't miss out on the ballgame fun. Here are the trivia game rules:
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Send email to Mary.Elliott@gastonianc.gov with answer to Trivia question placed in the City Events section of the newsletter.
- The first players to send the correct answer by email will receive a reply confirming they have won.
- Winners must confirm number of guests (4 max) and date/time of game. All winners will be contacted within 24 business hours.
Good luck to all players. Now head on down to the City Events section to see this month's Trivia question.
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Beetopia 2023
If you missed last month's Beetopia 2023 event at the Gastonia Farmers Market, you missed out on lots of fun. Here are a few pictures from the event on Saturday May 20, 2023.
Keep Gastonia Beautiful created the family-friendly event to educate, entertain and inform residents about the importance of pollinators. This year was BEEAUTIFUL and we hope to see you there next year!
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June is for Pride
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as "Gay Pride Day," but the actual day was flexible.
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Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Happy Pride Month Gastonia!
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Juneteenth Festival
Three days of family fun you don’t want to miss Jun 17-19!
- Health & Wellness Fair Kick Off Event
- Barber Shop Wrap Session & Luncheon sponsored by GPD
- AAU Basketball Game
- Live Entertainment
- Food Trucks
- Vendors
- Kids Corner
- Information
- Parade
- Fireworks
Any questions can be emailed to: info.ebonyfest@gmail.com
View this document for a full itinerary of events.
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June DEI Training Sessions
There are several DEI training workshops available throughout June . Employees are encouraged to take two training sessions by end of fiscal year June 30, 2023. You can register HERE.
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Did you know the 2023 Diversity Awareness Calendar is available on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion webpage? In this calendar you'll find many holidays and events celebrated by various groups and cultures throughout the year.
For more information on all things DEI, please contact:
Cherie Jzar
DEI Coordinator, City Manager's Office
(704) 866-6705
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Father's Day is
June 18, 2023
Always celebrated on the third Sunday of June, Father's Day has a tendency to be one of those holidays that simply gets away from us.
The holiday was signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972, years after being first introduced by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington in 1910.
Here's your early reminder to celebrate all dads on Father's Day!
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Our first employee fitness week was a great success! We had almost 100 employees participate in one or more activities during the week of May 22 - 26. The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time!
A very special thank you to the following employees who helped with hosting, setting up, delivering, keeping score, and a host of other things:
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| Travis Huskey | Greg Reynolds | | George Fulwood | Donna Smith | | Lauren Parker | Mike Alexander | | |
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The winners for the competition events and the “Finale” raffle prize winners have been announced and named in this link.
Congratulations to everyone who participated!
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June Wellness Challenge
This month's challenge is focused on sleep habits. Here's how it works.
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Sleep Challenge Starts Monday – June 5th
- Complete daily scorecard for various options on your sleep hygiene.
- Do at least one activities for 21 days to have your name entered in the raffle.
- Challenge ends June 30th. Scorecards must be turned in by July 7.
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Download rules and scorecard HERE.
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Register to participate at this link.
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Register Today
June Wellness Lecture: Budgeting
- Presented by: April Hatley – LGFCU
- Thursday, June 15 – City Hall Spindle Room
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For more Wellness Activity info contact:
Wanda Flowers, Wellness Coordinator
704-616-2044
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This month, we're focusing the camera on two employees who both attended this year's Leadership Academy. The academy is designed to help develop supervisors into better leaders or prepare them for the next step in their career with the city.
During three weeks of training, supervisors learn about communication, managing conflict, city policies, and employee engagement/development. They also get to do a city tour to learn more about the different areas of the city.
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Tiffiany Cox is a Customer Support Specialist who has been with the City for nearly six years. Starting out as Customer Service Rep I and eventually working up to CSR III, Cox says the thing she loves most about her current role is getting to interact with other departments and customers. She says the Leadership Academy training was very interactive with constant feedback, back and forth dialogue that allowed her to build new skills with other employees. | | |
Justin White, Fire Dept. Battalion Chief, began his current role last month after serving as Captain for seven years. He decided to attend the Leadership Academy to strengthen his leadership skills. "The knowledge I acquired as it pertains to leadership styles is something that I can apply today. Leaders must be willing to coach and encourage their people to grow and to fulfill the mission of the city," said White. He's been with the City for 17 years. | | | |
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If you or someone you know is a supervisor and interested in being part of Leadership Academy, please contact:
Malik Zeigler, Employee Development & Engagement Manager
(704) 869-1012
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City Employees to be Honored by Gaston County Jaycees
On Wednesday June 7, the Gaston County Jaycees will honor several outstanding community members at their 73rd Distinguished Service Awards being held at the Gaston Country Club.
Among those being recognized, there are three City employees that we are proud to call our own.
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Congratulations to:
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Adam Hudson, Police Officer
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George Fulwood Jr., Supervisor Park & Recreation
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Leon Matthews, Fire Engineer
Read all about the awards and recipients here.
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Recent Promotions
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Thomas Deaton Jr., Fire Engineer
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Joshua Duncan, Fire Captain
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Keith Lineberger, Assistant City Engineer
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Brian Potocki, Director of Public Utilities
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Brandon Pressley, Chief of Fire Training
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Davin Price, Fire Captain
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Justin White, Battalion Chief
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Service Anniversaries
Congratulations to the City employees who have completed 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 or more than 25 years of service! See this month's list.
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Recent Retirements
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Terry King, Lead Mechanic - Water & Sewer
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Dereama Ruffin, Utility Billing Analyst - Finance
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New City Employees: April & May
Welcome aboard to all new city employees who completed orientation last month. See the full list here.
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Honey Hunters Weekend Game
- See full schedule for game days
- Many games to choose from June to September
Trivia Question: What year was Gastonia incorporated?
*Email your answer to Mary.Elliott@gastonianc.gov for a chance to win tickets to see the Gastonia Honey Hunters play*
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Catawba Indian Village
- June 3 to Aug. 27
- Mondays & Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sundays 1 to 4 p.m.
- Schiele Museum
- Take a step back in time as you explore over 400 years of Catawba history, culture, and survival in the Catawba Indian Village.
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Summer Concert Series
- Friday, June 23
- 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Rotary Pavilion
- Music by The Voltage Brothers with Emerald Empire
- Food Trucks & Drinks
- Kids activities
- Free admission
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Fourth of July Celebration
- Tuesday, July 4
- 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Downtown Gastonia at Rotary Pavilion
- Food trucks, vendors, entertainment and KidsZone
- Live music from Bounce! begins at 6 p.m.
- Fireworks begin around 9:30 with patriotic music
- Bring your own lawn chairs or blanket
- Hosted by City of Gastonia and Gastonia Parks and Recreation
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