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It’s hard to believe it’s Fall already. We have a few important things going on in Pitt County Government this season.

October 7 through October 11 is Employee Appreciation Week, a time set aside to show how much your hard work and dedication as Pitt County Government employees are valued.

Employee Appreciation Day was started in 2010, celebrated by offering a free breakfast for Pitt County employees. That was suc-cessful, so we offered it again in 2011. As you may recall, 2012

Scott Elliott

was a tough budget year, so we were unable to celebrate, but this year, we expanded our celebration to a week, taking time each day to show our appreciation. The major event comes mid-week, where department heads will help serve up a nice lunch for you to enjoy. Check out page 2 for a complete list of the week’s events.

I also wanted to take the time to mention that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For Lee National Denim Day, Pitt County Government set a fundraising goal of $2,000. Though October 4th marks the end of the fundraiser, it doesn’t mean the importance of education, awareness, and prevention ends. I encourage you to visit www.cancer.org to learn more and find other ways to contribute to the cause. If you have questions, feel free to contact Brittany Kinder at x2421.

Again, as we celebrate Employee Appreciation Week, please keep in mind how valuable you are as Pitt County Government employees. We really couldn’t do it without you.

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“We Appreciate All You Do.” That’s the theme for this year’s Employee Apprecia-tion Week. That’s right, a week. Five days to express what you hopefully already know - that you are appreciated.

Yes, you work hard every day to ensure the needs of the Pitt County citizens and your colleagues are met; that they receive the best care, customer service, and attention they need to be successful. Now, some of that attention is on you! See below for a list of events:

Monday, October 7 - Drawings for various prizes begin, and will continue throughout the week

Tuesday, October 8 - Employees with benefits receive a Pitt County Logo item

Tuesday, October 8 - Couponing Class from 3:30p till 5:00p at the Ag Center (Prior registration was required)

Wednesday, October 9 - Dept. heads serve at the Employee Appreciation Deli Luncheon from 11:00a till 2:00p at the Ag Center

Thursday, October 10 - Employees with benefits receive a gift card

Friday, October 11 - Jeans Day

We hope you win something, enjoy your logo item, eat well and interact with your depart-ment heads at the luncheon, shop with your gift card, and...pull out your favorite pair of jeans and show them off on Friday. Because “we appreciate you.”

Featured PolicyIn August, the County Vehicle Use Policy was updated to include language about cellular phone use while driving county vehicles. If you’re driving any vehicle, county or personal, while on county business you are ... Prohibited from using a county cellular phone or personal cellular phone, or any other electronic communication device such as a personal data assistant (PDA), tablet, laptop, blackberry, iPhone or similar to send or receive/read text, receive or place

Featured Video

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calls, access the web, e-mail or instant message or take pictures or videos while operating said vehicle, even if traffic is stopped, unless the electronic device can be operated hands free, such as with blue tooth technology for cellular phones.

The policy exempts emergency responders performing an emergency call and goes on to address what employees should do if hands free technology is unavailable, and 2-way radio use. Employees should keep in mind that this policy was implemented for their safety, and the safety of the general public, be-cause operating a vehicle and non-hands free communication devices is distracting and potentially dan-gerous. Read the entire policy by visiting pickle/policies/apap/13-03.pdf. Questions? Call HR at x3050.

The Budget Breakdown with Duane Holder

The county budget affects us all, from the Pitt County employee to the Pitt County citizen. Employment, vital government functions and services, education, public safety - all of these are possible because of county funding, whether in whole or part. But realizing the importance of the county budget does not always translate to an understanding of the county budget. That’s why the Office of Public Information produced the Budget Breakdown with Duane Holder. Pitt County’s deputy county manager/chief financial

officer offers an in-depth look into how the county budget is created, allocated, maintained, and more. So before the next fiscal year rolls around, check out this video so you can have a greater understanding of how this whole budget thing works.

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This new feature is designed to introduce you to each Pitt County Commissioner, and give you insight into why they serve. The Pitt Points will showcase a new member of the Board of Com-missioners until we make our way through the entire 9-member board. Now, meet Chairman Jimmy Garris.

Name: Jimmy Garris Occupation: Retired DuPont Manager

Why do you serve? In my early career, I never dreamed I would be inter-ested in serving as a County Commissioner. When I retired from DuPont in 1993, I began watching the Commissioners meeting on TV and became very interested in county government. So I finally decided to run for a seat and was elected to serve in 2002. I do see it as an opportunity to “serve.” I am a lifelong resident of Pitt County and serving as a County Commissioner is an opportunity for me to give back to my community.

Goals? My overall goal is to be a part of making Pitt County a better place in which to live, play, make a living, and raise a family. In order to accomplish that overall goal, my focus is on safety, education, and economic de-velopment. We must provide an environment where citizens are safe and are comfortable sending their chil-dren to school, confident that they will receive a quality education. When they complete their education, we want to have jobs available for them so that they will stay here in Pitt County and become productive citizens.

Major accomplishments? One of the greatest personal achievements is the honor my fellow commissioners afforded me by allowing me to serve as their Chairman on two occasions. Some the major achievements that have been accomplished since I’ve been serving as a County Commissioner are the passage of the ¼ cent sales tax for educational capital needs, expansion of jobs in spite of our economy, and maintaining a reasonable property tax rate.

Message for Pitt County employees? I am very proud to serve our citizens with such a hard working, quali-fied, and committed group of people. Pitt County has the best group of county employees in our state and nation and I am impressed with their level of knowledge and dedication. Keep up the good work!

Fun fact: I regularly see bears and deer at the edge of my back yard. I have five grandsons, 3 in Orlando and 2 in Seattle, and on September 22 my wife, Carolyn, and I celebrated our 41st anniversary.

District: 5Serving Since: 2002

welcomeNew Hires

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Dennis Hines, Jeffrey Jones, Lee Strickland, Miriam Rascoe, Charlotte Sasser, Guadalupe Velazquez Cruz, Shameka Watford, Sarah Curtis, Vickie Gentry, Kellie Mozingo, Tasha Williams, Karma Warren, Michelle Winstead, Jessica Andrews, Joseph Collins, Christine Corey, Mychella George, Steve Mor-gan, Jason George, Jessica Heath, Deedra Hart, & Daphne Bacon

They’re back!!!! Discounted ECU Tickets are now available. Just click on the link to purchase tickets for the next 3 ECU home games for $20. Don’t forget to wear purple on those Fridays!

Pitt County Government Discount Tickets

Is that a gym? Yep, a mini one at least. The new exercise room in the Coun-ty Office Bldg. on 5th Street is open for employee use. Just another way to stay fit & healthy. Interested? Check out the guidelines below before use.

Exercise Room Guidelines

Stay tuned for the next Pitt Points for the upcoming topics:• New Global Harmonization System (chemical labeling system)• Featured Department (Cooperative Extension)• Featured Employee (Not going to tell you everything! Hint: She’s been

here for 30 years...)

they started in May & June, so don’t forget to say hi!

© 2013. Pitt County Government. All Rights Reserved. Pitt Points Electronic Employee Newsletter5

It was graduation season recently, and many of you had loved ones who gradu-ated this year. Some were featured in the last issue, so here are the rest!

Leisa Arnold, Cariann Hope Bradley D. H. Conley High SchoolDenise Moore-Jones Ashley C. Jones D. H. Conley High SchoolRandy Jones Cody Jones PCC AS in Criminal Justice/BLET programJean Wilkerson Allison Swart ECU, MPHChad Clark Meghan Danez Nethercutt D. H. Conley High SchoolCynthia Hicks Stefan Hicks South Central High SchoolTom Swindell Sara Swindell D. H. Conley High SchoolViolet W. Collins Manuel James Collins Southside High SchoolDarlene Norris-Joyner Miracle Briana Wilks PCC AAS in Early Childhood Pedro Montez Wilks Jr. Elizabeth City State University BSJessica Gorham Malik Foskey Farmville Central High School Dashon Hayes J. H. Rose High SchoolTerri Grimes Alanna Davis South Central High SchoolKim Hardee Courtney Hardee D. H. Conley High SchoolKaren Ennis Lauren Polley PCCLynn Faircloth Sarah Faircloth Farmville Central High School Dodge Buck Washington High School Jeanna Buck William Peace UniversityCheryl Mowers Sean T. Brown J. H. Rose High SchoolMelinda Cox Courtney Cox D. H. Conley High SchoolDiane Holland Ashley Williams Farmville Central High SchoolGrayson Coward Maria Coward PCCAngela Joyner Tiesha Brown Ayden Grifton High SchoolRebecca Mason Tyler Carawan South Central High SchoolJulia Seymour Matthew Travis Fleming Farmville Central High SchoolCathy Dixon Shomari Dixon Ayden Grifton High School

PC Employee Graduate School/Degree