County employees recognized

Although all eight received awards and recognition the week previous, Johnson County Judge Chris Boedeker made a point of publicly honoring the recipients during Monday’s meeting of the Johnson County Commissioners Court.

“While I have the mic I want to publicly acknowledge for the official record our eight county employees who received the Star Employees Award during our county Christmas party last week,” Boedeker said. “They represent employees who went above and beyond the call of duty and made positive impacts to the workplace and the county.”

Elected officials and/or department heads nominate candidates for the award, Boedeker explained. From that list of submitted nominees a committee consisting of various county workers chooses the award recipients.

“This is your chance, as an elected official or department head, to recognize the best and brightest in your office,” the Star Employee nomination form reads.

Nomination categories include the public safety sector and the non-public safety employee sector.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Kevin George and Cpl. Kyle Graham received the public safety category award having been nominated by JCSO Chief Deputy James Saulter and JCSO Sgt. Matthew Cook respectively.

Saulter spoke of George’s dedication to working patrol and willingness to step in when the office is shorthanded.

“Lt. George is the first to volunteer to take on additional responsibilities, even when his plate is already full,” Saulter said.

Saulter went on to call George an asset to the county and praise his “unwavering commitment to serving our community.”

In characterizing Graham as a valuable member of JCSO and asset to county residents, Cook cited Graham’s actions on Oct. 28.

During a traffic stop near Grandview that day, a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper came into contact with a powdery substance of unknown make.

“This caused the trooper to fall to the ground on the side of the road,” Cook said. “The trooper called out for assistance on the radio and was having trouble breathing and remaining responsive.”

Graham, who was nearby, responded to the scene where he found the trooper face down in a ditch and in and out of responsiveness. Graham administered Narcan, which helped, but the trooper still needed medical attention. Graham remained on scene detaining the suspects while continuing to monitor the trooper until EMS workers arrived. Rescue workers transported the trooper to the hospital where he fully recovered.

“I believe the actions of Cpl. Graham prevented further deterioration of [the trooper’s] condition, which could have led to being fatal,” Cook said.

Non-public safety winners

Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Court Clerk Margarita DeLeon was among the recipients.

Wait times and lines stretched long during early voting, Nikki Ashley of the same office said. Throughout that time DeLeon regularly walked the line to ensure the safety of elderly and disabled residents waiting to vote.

“Her smile and caring heart to help the constituents of Johnson County ensured ease in being able to early vote when our location was extremely busy,” Ashley said.

Purchasing Agent Lance Anderson nominated custodian Sammy Ramos of the Facilities Management Department.

“Sammy does an excellent job of keeping the building squeaky clean,” Anderson said. “She performs her work efficiently and quietly, always ensuring that her cleaning does not interrupt any ongoing meetings or work of others.

“She pleasantly greets everyone in the building and is a calm and pleasant presence that is very much appreciated. We are so lucky to have her.”

Commissioner Larry Woolley nominated Sandra Long, office manager in Precinct 4.

Long began her current assignment in Precinct 4 in 2015 but also worked eight years previously in the county auditor’s office. Woolley called her the epitome of customer service.

“I frequently get calls just to tell me how helpful and friendly Sandra was to the with specific needs,” Woolley said. “Sandra goes the extra mile on a daily basis to meet the needs of our customers and the taxpayers.”

Woolley cited Long’s multiple duties and noted that Long’s nomination resulted not just from him but by consensus of the full Precinct 4 staff.

“She is definitely the glue that holds this operation together,” Woolley said.

Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Judge Robert Shaw nominated Kathy Osier, the chief administrative court clerk of his office.

Osier has served under three JP judges during her 22 years with Pct. 4. Shaw praised her expertise in case review, file preparation, document review as well as her coordination between the office and law enforcement officers and mental health providers.

Johnson County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Steve McClure nominated Court Reporter Karen Jones.

McClure spoke of Jones’ positive energy and efficient organization in all aspects of her job adding that Jones is the court reporter in the history of Court No. 2.

“She has participated in and shaped the processes and procedures over the years for managing the court,” McClure said. “Her knowledge and experience helps to bring fairness and consistency to our court processes.

“She was a great help to me when I started my first term. I was able to start running rather than scrambling to orient myself. I count on her daily. I have never doubted that she has an understanding of the big picture for Court 2.”

Nominated also by Anderson was Alissa Krokum, senior buyer of the purchasing department.

Improvements to the county’s bids and proposals requirements made by Krokum have resulted in increased effectiveness and efficiency, Anderson said.

“She also handled travel for the entire county for the past couple of years and has taken great ownership of getting county employees where they need to go and getting their reimbursements done for them in an efficient manner,” Anderson said. “She solves problems professionally, resolves issues effectively and ensures that all internal customer needs are met on a daily basis. We are so very thankful that Alissa is part of purchasing.”

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