Employee of the Year
Every year the City of Stilwell recognizes outstanding employees at the annual Christmas party. This past December eight employees were honored with Shining Star awards for exceptional work and attitude toward coworkers and supervisors, and going over and beyond their duties.
Those honored with Shining Star awards were Director of Municipal Works, Dale Dandridge; Purchasing Officer and Encumbrance Clerk, Amy Duncan; Animal Control, Rick Ford; Fire Department, Tony Worley; Carson Park, Ron Leach; Stilwell Police Department, Jesse Akins; Street Department, Jeremy Pathkiller and Sanitation Department, Kevin Pritchett.
Dandridge was also recognized as Department Head of the Year.
Mayor Jean Ann Wright shared praise for Dandridge.
“Dale is always very professional and has his employees’ best interests at heart. He never hesitates to give 110% to all he is involved in. His knowledge and expertise have been a huge asset to our city,” Wright said.
Dale Dandridge and Mayor Jean Ann Wright
photo: Renee Fite
Dandridge is the featured employee for January and has worked for the City of Stilwell for five years, after serving as a County Commissioner. He manages the Street and Sanitation Departments.
His responsibilities include trash removal and debris, like trees and brush. For the streets it’s maintenance and replacement. Also snow and ice removal, lawn cutting and trimming and leaf removal of City right-of-ways. He takes care of the sidewalks, the drainage ditches, curbs, gutters, etc.
“We share the duties at the parks regarding the maintenance and repair,” said Community Development Director Shawn Noel.
Dandridge takes care of vehicle maintenance for all of the City owned vehicles. And he is also in charge of the cemetery and ensures the plots are dug properly and filled back in and the cemetery is maintained to an accepted standard. He supervises a staff of about 17 people.
“The people I work with and citizens of Stilwell are why the City is a good place to work," he said.
Noel said it is Dandridge’s knowledge and experience along with his desire to make the City a better a place, that he values.
“He continually takes on responsibilities that are not necessarily within his area of control, like helping with identifying code or construction issues with residences. He knows a lot of people to contact for projects that aid in saving money and time to the City and to residences to get projects completed properly and efficiently. He has allowed us to use equipment and resources in getting our tasks complete, including arranging his work schedule to assist us at times,” Noel said.
The work he has done for the new City Hall is a fine example, said Noel.
“He and his team put in the pad for the building and are currently working on the concrete around the building. Both of those projects saved the City a lot of money,” Noel said.
He wants the residents to be treated fairly and equally, said Noel.
“Dale stands up when needed and helps with the many assignments and projects, whether it is lending assistance directly or indirectly through the use of his personnel or equipment,” Noel said. “I really like that we collectively share the same mentality in that we are not here for personal gain or recognition, but to make this City a better place to live and work.”
His wife Monica is employed at Zion School, and they have two sons, Cash and Mason.
“Stilwell is a good place to raise a family because it is a small town with good people,” Dandridge said.
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City of Stilwell, Oklahoma
Address: 20 S. 1st St., Stilwell, OK 74960
Phone:
918-696-7143
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