Employee Newsletter November 2019

CITY OF HOT SPRINGS — EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER

DOUBLE Veteran Tribute Edition
DUTY Page 4

Lt. Jeff Michau Serves
Community & Country

November 2019

Volume 20 – Issue 2

November reminds us to Coming Events
honor our veterans
November
City employees,

As we live and serve in this beautiful city and community, Bill Burrough City Events
it is easy to forget the sacrifices given to allow the City Manager
freedoms we too often take for granted. Each November, Nov. 8-9 – Season finale of Adair
particularly on the 11th day of the month, we all have an Park Concert Series
opportunity to come together and celebrate – to thank
wholeheartedly – our country’s veterans. What started Nov. 11 – Veterans Day/City
as Armistice Day to honor veterans of “the war to end all offices closed
wars,” World War I, was amended in 1954 to Veterans
Day to honor veterans of all wars. Conflict continues to Nov. 25 – Downtown
this day, and servicemen and women continue to step up Lighting Ceremony
to protect our democracy and the spread of peace and
hope, both domestically and abroad. Nov. 28-29 – Thanksgiving
Holiday/City offices closed
This month’s employee newsletter pays tribute to our City employees who have
or are still serving in the United States Armed Forces or with our allies. On page Nov. 28 – Turkey Trot 5K
5 of this edition, there is a list of more than 75 veterans who serve as employees
of our City. I was shocked to learn that we have so many veterans and active Dec. 1 – Christmas Memories
service members! I encourage each of us to read through the list and take every
opportunity to thank these individuals and others in our lives for their service. Hot Springs Events

As Jeff Michau’s account clearly demonstrates, our veterans put service to Nov. 8-11 – Veterans events
country above their personal wants and needs. They all deserve our warmest (see bit.ly/hs-veterans19)
regards for their selflessness. Jeff shared that one of the most rewarding aspects
of his service in the Arkansas National Guard has been to witness how future Nov. 15-16 – Gudrun
leaders are trained. He is thankful that many of his counterparts at the Hot Springs Northwoods Mountain Bike
Police Department, who also serve in either the Army Guard and Reserves, or Festival
in the Air Guard and Navy Reserves, have benefitted from this valuable training.
Nov. 16 – SPA Running Fest
Reading Jeff’s story and the long list of our veterans can help us be mindful of our
service to the City of Hot Springs. As they stepped up to serve our great country, Nov. 23-Dec. 31 – Holiday Lights
we all wake up each day with an opportunity to provide important services for our at Garvan Woodland Gardens
community. Similarly, just as Jeff credited the Army’s training, we too can strive
to prioritize our own efforts to learn and improve how we do what we do. Our Nov. 25 – Tom Daniel 17th
Human Resources team is in the process of launching a new training program, Annual Chili Cook Off
so please consider making time to incorporate upcoming learning sessions into
your schedules. Heart of Hot Springs

Again, a sincere thank you to our veterans who have served and continue to Published by the City of Hot Springs
serve our nation on behalf of us all. Public Information Department

Sincerely,

City Manager www.cityhs.net/heartofHS
City of Hot Springs
Editors: Aaron Street
and Katie Yamauchi

[email protected]
501-321-6806

In This Edition

City Manager's Letter.................... 2
Coming Events.............................. 2
Cover Story: Double Duty ............ 4
City Staff Veteran Tribute.......... 5, 8
Halloween Costume Winners....... 6
City Spotlights............................... 6
HR Employee Updates.................. 7

3

(ABOVE) Lt. Michau is overseeing HSPD's transition to a new radio system.
(RIGHT) CSM Michau assumes responsibility of the 87th Troop Command Battalion with the traditional passing of the colors.

Double Duty

Jeff Michau serves community and country

Professional Standards Lieutenant Jeff T. Michau (pronounced For his role as CSM of the 87th Troop Command, two Battalions
Ma-shō) of the Hot Springs Police Department (HSPD) was officially the 871st and 875th with 10 units in seven counties in central and
promoted to Command Sergeant Major (CSM) of the 87th Troop northeastern Arkansas. Numerous specialty units under CSM
Command Brigade of the Arkansas National Guard on October 19. Michau’s area of responsibility include the 106th Army Band,
119th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 213th and 296th Medical
The Change of Responsibility ceremony took place at the Companies, 216th Military Police Company, 224th Maintenance
Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, at which Company, two Headquarters Companies, Recruiting and Retention
Michau assumed responsibility from outgoing CSM Tony W. Bowen Battalion and 61st Civil Support Team and the four units of the 875th
with the traditional passing of the colors. Michau previously served as Engineer Battalion.
Command Sergeant Major of the 871st Troop Command Battalion.
Michau graduated high school and enlisted in the Arkansas
He is the third and most recent City employee to earn the Hot National Guard as a combat medic in 1990. In 2003, he was
Springs HERO honor, which follows a nomination by a fellow City deployed to Iraq where he served on the treatment platoon and
staffer and recognizes work that goes above and beyond for Hot was awarded the Combat Medic Badge for actions taken on April
Springs. In Michau’s case, for outstanding service to Hot Springs, 24, 2004. He was deployed again to Iraq in 2011, and the following
Arkansas, the country and beyond. year was promoted and assigned as the First Sergeant for the 296th
Medical (GA) Company in Hot Springs.
As one of only a handful of officers still serving Hot Springs
who originated at the former police station, the 24-year veteran of Balancing his full- and part-time jobs has been challenging and
the HSPD has recently been overseeing the force’s radio system requires substantial travel and use vacation hours to handle Army
upgrade, the dispatch area remodel and construction of a new lobby responsibilities. As CSM, he anticipates more than 15 weekends a
area and front offices. year will be dedicated to the 87th, with added events needed for
strategic planning, conferences, and so on.
When the new radio system is complete, HSPD will join the
Arkansas Wireless Information Network (AWIN) and will have “I joined when I was 18. I’ve been doing it a long time, so I don’t
interoperability with emergency medical services, other area law know any different,” he said. “As challenging as it may have been at
enforcement agencies and those on the AWIN network from across times, it’s been equally if not more rewarding. We train, mentor and
the state. The dispatch remodel will allow LifeNet operators to work coach the future leaders for the Arkansas National Guard, and that
alongside 9-1-1 operators, and the first-floor construction involves is very rewarding.”
securing the lobby area and adding office spaces.
He said the HSPD now has several officers who are members of
Other aspects of Michau’s work at the police department include the Army Guard and Reserves, Air Guard and Navy Reserve. These
maintaining the fleet, facilities and serving as the Internal Affairs members of the department are training and learning the value
investigator. His role was formerly called Research and Planning, and process of what it takes to be a leader within their respective
and he said a significant part of what he does is to “make sure branches of the military.
officers have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.”
Continued on following page...
4

CSM Michau poses with his family following the Change of Responsibility ceremony. He is also thankful to the Army and the
GI Bill for his bachelor’s degree. He had
earned an associate’s degree before joining
the force, and after taking classes as he
could fit it into his schedule, he graduated
with honors from the University of Arkansas
at Little Rock in 2012 with a Criminal Justice
degree.

He and his wife, Jennifer, have been
married for 25 years and have four children
– Emily, Autumn, Nicolas and Reagan.

Lt. Michau is the
City's most recent

HERO recipient.
For more about
the Hot Springs
HERO program or
to nominate a City
employee, visit
www.cityhs.net/hero.

First Name Last Name City Department Branch of Service Rank/Specialty Service Tenure
Glen Barentine Airport U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. / Avionics 10 yrs.
Canton Airport Royal Air Force Warrant Officer / Air Electronic Operator 22 yrs.
Andrew Airport U.S. Navy Yeoman Second Class / Administration 10 yrs.
Andrey Jones Airport U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer / Fuels 27 yrs.
Osborne Fire U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5) 12 yrs.
Mike Bartow Fire U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4) 4 yrs.
Jackie Fire U.S. Navy 23 yrs.
Kenny Byrd Fire Chief 9 yrs.
Andy Davis Fire U.S. Marine Corp Staff Sgt. (E-6) 4 yrs.
Chase Neighbors Fire U.S. Army 6 yrs.
Nathan Nobles Fire U.S. Army Sgt. (E-5) 4 yrs.
Jason Shepperd U.S. Navy Sgt. (E-5) 21 yrs.
Larry Vincent Fleet Service Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5)
Terry Rowton Human Resources U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. (E-5) / Ground Power 8 yrs./2 yrs./
Vann U.S. Army Res./Ark. Ntl. Spc. 4 Logistics 88 Mike / Spc. 4 Logistics 88 Mike / 14 yrs.
Teri Intracity Transit GS 11, Health & Safety Spc. 3 yrs.
Cooper Intracity Transit Guard/Fed. Service Spc. / Truck Driver 6 yrs.
Michael Downey U.S. Army Private 1st Class
Robert Intracity Transit
Thompson Parks & Trails Ark. Army Ntl. Guard/ Seaman (E-3) 4 yrs.
Frank Freeman Planning & Dev. U.S. Army Maj. / Infantry 20 yrs.
Ken Planning & Dev. U.S. Navy Sgt. / Aircraft Armament Systems 4 yrs.
Aaron Shaw Cpl. / Radio Operator 6 yrs.
James Hardage Police U.S. Marine Corps Seaman (E-3) / Boarding Team 4 yrs.
Steven Police U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. (E-6) / Technical Sgt. 16 yrs.
Kevin Bates
Franklin Police U.S. Marine Corps Combat Engineer (12B) 14 yrs. (Active)
Zach Police U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class / Spc. 4yrs./3yrs.
Joey Rostan U.S. Marine Corps/U.S.
Williams Police Army/U.S. Airfoce Military Police Corps 3 yrs.
Michael Police
Chelsy Simmons Police U.S. Army Pfc. (E-3) / Military Police 2 yrs. (Active)
Larry Young Police U.S. Navy/Ark. Army Ntl. Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4) / Interior Communications 4 yrs.
Patrick
Jeff Michau Guard Command Sgt. Maj. / Brigade Command 29 yrs. (Active)
U.S. Army
Ark. Army Ntl. Guard
U.S. Navy
U.S. Army

Continued on page 8...

Halloween Co20s19tume Winners

Scariest: Favorite: DCGiosrutorruitcp:t

Dawn Robb See photo album at the City's Flickr
www.flickr.com/hotspringsar
Sweet-Dobbs Kellar
www.cityhs.net/spotlights
City Spotlights

Kasha Leigh Jeff
Gansky Leaverton Palmer

Accounting Administrative Sewer Lift Station
Supervisor Assistant Manager

Finance City Clerk's Office Wastewater/
Utilities
5.5 years at CHS 7 months at CHS
15 years at CHS

Q: Who inspires you? Q: What's one thing that surprised you Q: What's one thing that surprised you
A: Anyone on a path to crush their
about working at CHS? about working at CHS
goals. "A goal is a dream with a
deadline." -Napoleon Hill A: The laid-back work atmosphere. It A: Finding a lifelong career at 19

Q: When you were a kid, what did you makes coming to work enjoyable. years old.

want to be when you grew up? Q: What are three things left on your Q: Who inspires you?
A: My son, who beat childhood cancer
A: I do not recall, but I have always bucket list?
at the age of 7. If he can beat that
loved numbers. A: Visit all 50 states (I'm at 39), see the adversity as a child, I should be able to
face anything.
Q: If money was not a consideration, Grand Canyon, & visit Australia.
Q: When you were a kid, what did you
what kind of car would you buy? Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." want to be when you grew up?
A: 1968 Chevrolet Comaro SS.
A: A professional monster truck driver.

Read the full list of Q & A's from Kasha, Leigh and Jeff at www.cityhs.net/spotlights.

Retirements

Planning & Development hosted a
retirement celebration for Lisa Pritsch,
who served the City for 18 years.

See photo album at the City's Flickr
www.flickr.com/hotspringsar

Utilities hosted a retirement party for
Levi Jones, grounds crew leader,
who served the City for 24 years.

See photo album at the City's Flickr
www.flickr.com/hotspringsar

October
Employee Anniversaries

Employees with 10 or more years of service.

Minnie Lenox, Human Resources 37 Years Brian Porter, Fire 17 Years
Clifton Carver, Solid Waste 14 Years
Phillip Howell, Utilities 34 Years BJ Hatton, Utilities 14 Years
Ed Davis, Fire 13 Years
Kim Burks, Planning 32 Years James Irwin, Utilities 13 Years
Johnny Gilbert, MCO 13 Years
Dennis Brunson, Utilities 30 Years Jessica Burks, Utilities 12 Years
Daniel Smith, Airport 12 Years
Tina Franklin, MCO 28 Years Robert Bates, Utilities 12 Years
Kevin Ellsworth, Fire 12 Years
Kenny Talbert, Fire 25 Years Charles Hillison, Utilities 12 Years
Vickie Asher, District Court 11 Years
Jaime Elliott, Fire 25 Years Trent Chadick, Police 11 Years
Mark Davis, Police
23 Years Clint Hunter, Fire 7

22 Years Robert Jester, Fire

20 Years Ed Montgomery, Street

20 Years Ryan Wehunt, Solid Waste

19 Years Wendy Stearns, Police

19 Years Eric Thomason, Parks

19 Years

New Hires

Trent Carnes, Solid Waste

Employee Promotions

Taylor Gates, Police Carl Stanley, Solid Waste
Tyree Sampson, Police Dackery Fernandez, District Court
Shawn Woodall, Police Timothy Tague, Solid Waste

Jeffrey Stracener Police U.S. Army Sgt. 7 yrs.
Mark Fallis Police U.S. Air Force Senior Airman (E-4) / Security Forces 4 yrs.
Joey Police 6 yrs.
Richard Vanderburg Police U.S. Army Sgt. 4 yrs.
Cody Caldwell Police U.S. Air Force Senior Airman / Weapons Speacialist 6 yrs.
Tyler Rollins Police Ark. Army Ntl. Guard 6 yrs.
Richard Cox Police U.S. Air Force Infantryman / Spc. 8 yrs.
Billy Davis Police Senior Airman / AMMO 2yrs./13yrs.
Perkins U.S. Army (Active)
Shawn Police U.S. Navy Sgt. / Infantry 8 yrs. (Active)
Tifani Woodall Police Seaman (E-3) / Aviation Boatswain's Mate / Petty Officer 22 yrs. (Active)
Sam McCauley Police U.S. Army 4yrs./4yrs.
Spencer Ark. Air Ntl. Guard 1st Class (E-6) / Machinist's Mate 1st Class
Mike Police U.S. Army/U.S. Marine Miliatry Police 8 yrs.
Jessica Goss Police 11 yrs./3yrs.
Ault Police Corps Master Sgt. (E-7) / Imagery Intelligence
Jerry Freeman Police U.S. Marine Corps Res. Sgt. (E-5) Infantry Sgt. Ranger / Cpl. (E-4) / Force Recon 4 yrs.
Clifford Rushing Sewer Collections 9.5 yrs.
Jason Stiles Sewer Collections U.S. Navy Seabees Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4) / 0311 Rifleman/infantry 2 yrs.
Clifford Wilkinson Sewer Collections U.S. Army Petty Officer 1st Class / Steel Worker 2 yrs.
Mark Wilson Solid Waste Spc. 4 / Military Police 2 months
Greg Ball Solid Waste U.S. Army Res. Staff Sgt. (12B) / Combat Engineer 3 yrs.
Michael Bell Solid Waste U.S. Army Pvt. 2nd Class (E-2) / Infantry 6 yrs.
Rhonda Deville Solid Waste U.S. Navy 4 yrs.
Herbert Gaston Solid Waste U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4) / Hull Technician 2 yrs.
Simuel Jones Solid Waste U.S. Navy Pvt. (E-1) / Turbine Technician 6 yrs.
Carnell Lemons Sr. Solid Waste 11 yrs.
Mathew Moody Solid Waste U.S. Marine Corps Seaman (E-3) / Hospital Corpsman 6 yrs.
Poteet Solid Waste U.S. Navy Lance Cpl. / Nuclear Weapons Security 4 yrs.
Mike Qualls Solid Waste 3 yrs.
Kenny Shaw Solid Waste Ark. Army Ntl. Guard Aviation Ordinance 4 yrs.
Wesley Sledd Stormwater U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class (E-3) / 72 E Telecommunications 4 yrs.
Jeffrey Ditty Stormwater U.S. Army 10.5 yrs.
Robert Carder Street U.S. Army Spc. 4 12 yrs.
Danny Counts Street Sgt. / Heavy & Light Wheel Mechanic 6 yrs.
Vance Hodges Street U.S. Air Force 4 yrs.
Grant Hokaszewski Traffic U.S. Army Sgt. / Satellite Communications
Edmund Rucker U.S. Army Senior Airman / Auto Body Repair 2 yrs.
Clarence Utilities Admin. 3 yrs. / 4 yrs.
Harris Utilities Admin. U.S. Air Force Cpl. (E-4)
Bobby Woodall Utilities Admin. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (E-6) 20 yrs.
Scott Partain Utilities Lift Station U.S. Navy Sgt. / Aircraft Munitions 20 yrs.
Glen Pearson U.S. Army 6 yrs.
Dylan Foshee Utility Billing Sgt. (E-5) 6 yrs.
Gary (Mike) Gilbert Utility Billing U.S. Marine Corps Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6) / Master at Arms 4.5 yrs.
Johnny Maness Wastewater U.S. Navy 8 yrs.
Jerry Brunson Wastewater Cpl. (E-4) / Supply Ammuntion 4 yrs.
Dennis Water Distribution U.S. Army/Ark. Army Ntl. Lance Cpl. / Military Police 20 yrs.
Donny Willis Water Distribution Guard 4 yrs.
Roger Kalas Water Production Seaman Apprentice (E-2) / Boiler Tech 4 yrs.
Richard Water Production U.S. Marines Sgt. (E-5) 24 yrs.
Alvin Hill U.S. Navy 4 months (Medical
Jackson Water Production U.S. Army Gunnery Sgt. / Parachute Rigger Discharge)
Richard Water Production U.S. Army Electrican's Mate 2 / Electrical Mechanic 6 yrs.
Tiffany Clark Water Production U.S. Army 4 yrs.
Doyle Love U.S. Army Sgt. (E-5) 10 yrs.
Ritter U.S. Army Spc. / MOS 11C
U.S. Army Construction Engineer
U.S. Navy
Spc. / Tanker
U.S. Army Res. Pvt. 2nd Class (E-2)
Ark. Army Ntl. Guard
Capt.
U.S. Army Seaman
Pfc. / Infantry
Ark. Army Ntl. Guard Sgt. Maj. / Satellite Communication Systems
U.S. Navy Pvt. (E-1) / Infantry

U.S. Army Res. Spc. 4
Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4) / Mechanic

Sgt. / Engineer Group