Hopper named Employee of the Year

PRESCOTT – It was party time for employees of the City of Prescott Friday afternoon.

City employees gathered at the Potlatch Building at the Nevada County Fairgrounds to celebrate the holiday season and find out who was named Employee of the Year, a tradition began in 2012.

However, there were several staffers recognized for their efforts over the year, as well as door prizes awarded to a lucky group. Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver said D.C. (Don Claus) couldn’t attend because he’s working at Reader helping build a cabin, but will be here this Spring. In the meantime, he’s working on new material.

Oliver told everyone “today is the day”. It’s the day, he said, to overcome bad habits, get a chance to realize their dreams and to fight for what’s right. “Life is not about one day,” he added, “but this day.” He told the employees he’s proud of them and how they’ve worked this past year.

Colby Tillman was the first employee honored. Tillman, an officer with the Prescott Police Department (PPD), helped save a person’s life recently. The person had been stabbed in the leg, but the wound wasn’t properly treated. Tillman made a traffic stop, with two other officers assisting, and applied a tourniquet to the person’s leg, and made sure they were taken to a hospital, where doctors said without the tourniquet, the person wouldn’t have made it.

Howard Austin, a member of the Prescott City Council, was recognized for being named to a statewide economic development board. Austin said it takes everyone working together to succeed, adding Prescott is as good as the people want it to be or are willing to make it.

Next up was James Kemp, with the city’s sanitation department. Kemp worked to earn his commercial driver’s license (CDL), though he’s not fond of reading. He’s now the number one driver for the department.

The volunteer award went to Anthony Johnson and John Hinnegan, who work with youth athletics. Johnson coaches pee wee football, while Hinnegan coaches pee wee basketball.

John Jackson was presented with the longevity award, while Ann and Essence Jordan earned the customer service award.

From there, Oliver recognized the Prescott Water and Sewer Department for helping find a leak that saved a local industry $10,000, along with its work on the splash pad. The Prescott-Nevada County Economic Office was also recognized for this.

The electric department was lauded for starting an apprentice program to help recruit and train future employees.

Oliver recognized the sanitation crew for the work it did on cleanup day with the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce.

Finally, it came down to the Employee of the Year award. Oliver first recognized past winners, following this by telling of the six employees who received four votes and earned honorable mention. Eight employees were called forward before Hopper was named Employee of the Year for a second time.