Board Elects Rushing Chairman and Aikmus Vice Chairman The Union County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 7 elected Stony Rushing chairman of the Board of Commissioners, and Frank Aikmus was elected vice chairman. The chairman and vice chairman are elected annually for a term of one year. Rushing and Aikmus cannot be removed from the office of chairman and vice chairman unless they become disqualified to serve as a Board member. The chairman presides at all Board meetings. To address the Board, a member must be recognized by the chairman. The chairman has the following powers: • To rule on parliamentary procedure, including the right to rule out of order on any motion offered for patently obstructive or dilatory purposes • To determine whether a speaker has gone beyond reasonable standards of courtesy in his or her remarks and to entertain and rule on objections from other members on this ground • To call a brief recess at any time • To adjourn in an emergency The vice chairman acts in the absence or disability of the chairman. If the chairman and vice chairman are both absent from a meeting of the Board, the members present may choose a temporary chairman. Todd Elmore Named Chief Deputy Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey has selected W. Todd Elmore as the new Chief Deputy of the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Elmore was previously employed as a federal agent in the Charlotte area from 1987 until his retirement on Sept. 30, 2013. Former Chief Deputy Ben Bailey Jr. stepped aside as Chief Deputy on Nov. 30. Bailey will remain with the Sheriff’s Office and has accepted a sponsorship by the FBI to its Police Executive Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. Bailey has served in law enforcement for 30 years and held the position of Chief Deputy for 13 years, the longest serving Chief in the agency’s history. January 2016
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Board Elects Rushing Chairman and Aikmus Vice ChairmanThe Union County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 7 elected Stony Rushing chairman of the Board of Commissioners, and Frank Aikmus was elected vice chairman.
The chairman and vice chairman are elected annually for a term of one year. Rushing and Aikmus cannot be removed from the office of chairman and vice chairman unless they become disqualified to serve as a Board member.
The chairman presides at all Board meetings. To address the Board, a member must be recognized by the chairman. The chairman has the following powers:
• To rule on parliamentary procedure, including the right to rule out of order on any motion offered for patently obstructive or dilatory purposes• To determine whether a speaker has gone beyond reasonable standards of courtesy in his or her remarks and to entertain and rule on objections from other members on this ground• To call a brief recess at any time• To adjourn in an emergency
The vice chairman acts in the absence or disability of the chairman. If the chairman and vice chairman are both absent from a meeting of the Board, the members present may choose a temporary chairman.
Todd Elmore Named Chief Deputy
Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey has selected W. Todd Elmore as the new Chief Deputy of the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Elmore was previously employed as a federal agent in the Charlotte area from 1987 until his retirement on Sept. 30, 2013.
Former Chief Deputy Ben Bailey Jr. stepped aside as Chief Deputy on Nov. 30. Bailey will remain with the Sheriff’s Office and has accepted a sponsorship by the FBI to its Police Executive Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. Bailey has served in law enforcement for 30 years and held the position of Chief Deputy for 13 years, the longest serving Chief in the agency’s history.
Union County View January 2016
Chief Elmore’s responsibilities include supervising operations of a 300 member full-service law enforcement agency including field operations, criminal investigations, jail, civil process,and court security.
Chief Elmore received a degree in accounting from Newberry College in 1986. He began his employment as a federal agent in August 1987 as a Special Agent with the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. In October 2002, Chief Elmore transferred to the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (formerly known as the U.S. Customs Service). During his career, he primarily focused on investigations of large-scale international drug smuggling operations.
Chief Elmore and his family have resided in Union County since 1999. He has three daughters, Kayla, Audrey and Lillie. Kayla is a junior at Appalachian State University; Audrey is a senior at Parkwood High School; and Lillie is in the sixth grade at Parkwood Middle.
Chief Elmore currently serves on the Union County Fire Commission. The Union County Board of Commissioners appointed Chief Elmore to this position in January 2015.
Brian Funderburke Earns Management Development Certification
Sgt. Brian Funderburke of the Union County Sheriff’s Office is a graduate of the 27th class of the Management Development Program (MDP) at the N.C. Justice Academy. The ceremony was held at Sampson Community College in Clinton, N.C.
The N.C. Justice Academy is a training institution and one of six divisions of the N.C. Department of Justice under the administration of Attorney General Roy Cooper. The Justice Academy is charged with the task of improving the professionalism and effectiveness of criminal justice personnel throughout the state, through training and support.
The Management Development Program is designed to help law enforcement managers develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to function as a progressive leader and innovative manager in a law enforcement agency. Course topics include Employment Law, Communication Skills, Leadership, Motivation and Achievement, Project Management and Budget Management.
Union County Public Works Earns Second and Third Place in NC AWWA-WEA Competitions
Union County Public Works scored podium finishes in the Operations Challenge and Pipe Tapping Contests at the 95th Annual North Carolina American Water Works Association Water Environment Association Conference in Raleigh. The state-wide competitions were extended to all utility organizations in North Carolina.
The Union County Sewer Rats, comprised of Matt Hargett, Brett Fisher, Jody Harvey and Josh Carpenter, scored third-place honors in the 15th Annual Operations Challenge. The contest consisted of five events which test the skills required for operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities, collection systems and laboratories. The Sewer Rats have a history of strong performances in this event. They finished in third place in 2014 and won the competition in 2013.
The Union County Shockers, made up of Jon Smith, John Helms, Lee Dillion and Brian Helms, finished runner-up in the 29th Annual Pipe Tapping Contest. Water tapping is a high-energy challenge involving a race against time to drill into a cement-lined, ductile iron pipe and install a tap. The Shockers finished in third place in 2014.
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource.
Sewer Rats
Shockers
Weddington Water Tower on Track for May 2016 Completion
The water tower located on Hemby Road in Weddington is nearly 70 percent complete and on target for completion in May 2016. The project, which features a new 1.5 million gallon, 170-foot tall elevated water tank, will provide more consistent, sustainable water pressure for Union County Public Works’ customers and their families in the Weddington and Marvin areas.
Construction on the tower’s water main piping, foundation and concrete shaft have been completed. The water tank is constructed and was raised on Dec. 4. It will become fully operational when the new booster pump station located on Providence Road is completed in May.
Josh Brooks, Utility Field Services Superintendent/ORC for Public Works, is starting a new chapter in his life. At age 37, Josh enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve. He entered basic training in mid-December and will be there for a six-week span, followed by six-and-a- half months of training for his role as a Gunner’s Mate. After training, Josh will return to Union County and resume his role at UCPW.
We appreciate Josh’s faithfulness and dedication during his 15 years of service with UCPW and are thankful for his loyalty to our country. We wish him well and look forward to his safe return.
Beginning in 2016, most voters will need to show acceptable photo ID at the polls. Learn more by watching
this video.
http://voterid.nc.gov
Check out the most recent episode of “The Book Report” and “Union County Spotlight”
Union County Service Award Recipients January 2016
5 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREALARRY BRINKER EMERGENCY SERVICESDEBORAH CASH HUMAN SERVICESKRISTIN BULLOCK ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICESJAMES SMITH SHERIFF’S OFFICEJAMES WALKER SHERIFF’S OFFICECOURTNEY RATLIFF HUMAN SERVICES
10 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREARON COX COMMUNITY SERVICESALLAN NOLAN HUMAN SERVICESARTHUR WALLCE SHERIFF’S OFFICESTACEY LISENBY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
15 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREARICHARD BLACK GROWTH MANAGEMENT
25 YEARS OF SERVICE SERVICE AREADEANETTE MILLS HUMAN SERVICES
SANTA’S HELPERS
On Friday Dec. 18, lots of Christmas cheer was spread throughout the county through a huge effort by the Christmas Bureau and many volunteers, including County employees.
Twelve employees from Community Services helped to make the Christmas holiday a little brighter for many underprivileged families. Through a coordinated effort, many local families received a Christmas Bureau package which included a bundle of toys for children, bicycles and a box of food. All items were received as donations from various sources and collected, separated, organized and packaged according to family size. Once packaged, volunteers brought the gift bundles to very appreciative families, bringing smiles all around. With the help of County employees and other volunteers, the day was a complete success with many families provided with the means to give their children a wonderful Christmas.
New Employees
Scott PressleyLaw Enforcement
Information Systems Manager
Sheriff’s Office
Megan SmithSheriff’s Dispatcher I
Sheriff’s Office
Annie JordanPT Library Assistant II
Library
Kymberly Williams Customer Service Rep.
Sheriff’s Office
Ryan DavisIncome Maintenance
Caseworker IISocial Services
Matthew JordanDeputy I
Sheriff’s Office
James CopenhaverRadio Technician
Emergency Services
Promotions
Crystal PanicoNew DevelopmentProgram Manager
Public Works
Shawna BlakeneySocial Worker IISocial Services
Jody Fowler-LemmondSenior Revaluation
Real Estate AppraiserTx Assessor
Jim ChaffinDivision DirectorPars & Recreation
Katherine WalterSocial Worker III-IAT
Social Services
Local Authors Are Invited to Participate in UCPL’s 3rd Annual Authors Alley
Published local authors are invited to participate in the Union County Public Library’s 3rd annual Authors Alley on Sunday, Jan. 31 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the main reading room of the Monroe Library.
The event provides local authors, those published writers who live or have spent a significant part of their lives in Union County or its adjacent counties, with the opportunity to display their works in the library. The event is free and open to the public. Authors will also be permitted to sell copies of their books.
To find out more about the event or to register, authors are asked to contact the Monroe Library’s Reference Department either by email at [email protected] or by phone at 704-283-8184 ext. 3.
Union County Government will close on Monday, Jan. 18 in observance of Martin
