Employment

It's always nice to be appreciated, especially by those you work for.

It's simply nice to know that you're not just a number or someone who sits at the third desk in the second cubicle or runs a piece of heavy equipment or keeps the information technology system perking right along.

It just makes pholks feel a little better about doing the job, even if they're convinced they don't get paid what they think they should or that others are getting more credit than they deserve.

Good employers know that and realize that taking time to recognize their workers most often pays long-term dividends.

For the last several weeks Tulare County supervisors have been recognizing workers who have worked for the county for at least 15 years during the annual Service Awards presentations.

The presentations are made over at least two and sometimes three weekly Tuesday board meetings. Usually between 60 and 100 county employees are thanked at each session and receive small gifts which increase in value for every five-years of service level. Several 30, 35, or 40-year awards are presented each year.

Over the last several years, Tim Huntley, the county's Human Services director, has added what has been a well-received “human touch,” which certainly seems appropriate to his title.

It's more than the common handshake, “here's you gift and thank you for your hard work” presentation.

He gets his material from the recipients' supervisors, co-workers, questionnaires, brief interviews or first-hand knowledge. He comes up with facts about work history, family members, hobbies, vacations or outstanding accomplishment. He personalizes each presentation.

During the final round of this year's presentations, however, Huntley took full advantage in presenting a service award to Gary Kunkel, who retired several months ago as the county's agricultural commissioner ending a 35-year county career.

Kunkel is known for his sense of humor which he demonstrated eloquently when he formally announced his retirement. His love for sailing and his plans to enjoy it even more in retirement were included in his farewell talk.

But Huntley was unable to attend that Board of Supervisors meeting and missed the opportunity to deliver his “send off” presentation he had scribed for his long-time buddy Kunkel.

According to Huntley, Kunkel had inquired about the potential for post-retirement county retirement.

When Huntley made that announcement during the Service Award presentation, Kunkel immediately turned to Supervisors, shook his head and shoulders and went along with Huntley's alleged questionnaire. This is how it went:

Desired position: Any work that takes advantage of my extensive knowledge of nautical terms.

Previous salary: A lot more than I was worth.

Reason for leaving: Biosolids run down hill.

Last position held: Lip lock

Preferred hours: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with one hour for lunch and two 15-minute breaks. In other words, my old work schedule.

Do you have a car:? Does it need to run?

Nearest relative: 7 miles.

Most notable achievement: My incredible collection of trophies for winning the annual cow pie toss at the Tulare County Fair.

Have you received any special awards or recognition:? I may already be a winner of the Readers' Digest Timeshare Free Holiday offer, they tell me.

Huntley ended with this line: And the computer says the ideal position for him is as the captain of the Mark Twain Riverboat where it is only a hop, skip and a jump from Fantasyland.”

You see pholks, it is things like this which help keep some people awake at board meetings but more importantly, something which top county officials have gotten 100 percent right. And, they didn't have to go to lunch to figure it out.