O’Fallon city workers honored for going ‘above and beyond’

For going above and beyond in their jobs this year, the city honored O’Fallon employees at a recognition ceremony and holiday gathering.

The honorees were nominated by their peers and supervisors for their outstanding contributions and their dedication and service to the community.

“The nominations were scored and the winners are chosen by a team of city employees. Each award winner receives a physical award (trophy) and recognition. This is the second year we have given these awards,” said Grant Litteken, assistant city administrator.

Honorees included Sarah Burton, horticulturist and Vine Street Market coordinator, Parks and Recreation Department; Nicholas Schmidt, detective with the O’Fallon Police Department; Kacie White, utility billing clerk, Utility Billing Department; and Jennifer Valentine, administrative assistant, O’Fallon Fire Department. Shirley Seipp of the library and Connor Quinn of Community Development received honorable mention.

In the Public Safety division, Justin Ellis was recognized as the officer of the year, Nick Fensom as the EMS employee of the year and Leah Wilson as the civilian employee of the year.

Police Chief Eric Van Hook said Schmidt volunteers to help with many community-related events. That’s to promote a positive image of the police department and city as a whole.

“We believe Nick goes above and beyond by accomplishing all of these important community engagement functions in addition to managing his required investigations case load. In doing so, he is only compensated for a fraction of the time and effort he puts into making them such a success,” Van Hook said.

For the annual Nite to Unite event, Schmidt is responsible for organizing it and finding sponsors/participants for this well-attended community outing.

He is the departmental liaison for both the Next Door application and Neighborhood Watch, which focus on community problems and promoting overall safety. Schmidt is routinely complimented about his professionalism and the time he commits to these programs.

Additionally, Schmidt is active in fundraising and participating in the Special Olympics and Torch Run, which helps the OPD raise more than $30,000 annually. He regularly participates in multiple Fraternal Order of Police event fundraisers throughout the year as well.

“He is notably most active in the golf tournament and assists with organizing and soliciting sponsorships,” Van Hook said.

Schmidt designs and creates the police department’s monthly newsletter, which is distributed throughout the community to bring awareness to significant events or activities.

For the fire department, Fire Chief Brad White said administrative assistant Jennifer Valentine played an instrumental role assisting him and Deputy Chief Erick Harris transition into their new full-time positions with the fire department.

“Her dependability and professionalism allowed the fire department to maintain seamless day-to-day operations while undergoing a complete changeover of senior leaders within the department,” White said.

“Jennifer brings a positive high energy and a personal touch to the job every day,” he said. “During 2019, Jennifer played key roles in planning, organizing, and executing the department’s annual golf tournament, winter banquet, summer family picnic, and children’s Christmas party.”

“She’s simply amazing!” White said.

Police chief, EMS supervisor praise employees

Van Hook lauded Leah Wilson for her work as an administrative assistant.

“Leah Wilson shows us day in and day out that we made the right decision hiring her 18 months ago. Her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and commitment to our community is unmatched,” Van Hook said. “In addition to her daily activities, Leah volunteers with most of the community events we conduct here at the police department.

“If we are doing something in the community, Leah is a part of it, either in participating or helping to set it up. We are so very fortunate to have her as part of our team,” he said.

Regarding Ellis, Van Hook said he completed training to become a certified Drug Recognition Expert. He is one of less than 200 certified in the state, along with two other O’Fallon officers.

“Officer Ellis has a passion for keeping our community safe by keeping impaired drivers off the road,” Van Hook said. His labor-intensive training makes it possible for officer Ellis to continue to keep our roads safe from drug impaired motorists.”

EMS Division Supervisor Jeremy Sherman said paramedic Nick Fensom was credited with multiple life saves this past year.

“His passion for community service and EMS education has been instrumental in our department’s mission to improve the quality and effectiveness of patient care,” Sherman said.

“He recently became certified as an Active Attack Response instructor, partnering with O’Fallon Police in providing new training aimed at providing EMS rescue and response during active shooter incidents. This is a new concept that very few paramedics in the state have been certified to teach.”

Vine Street Market has big first year

Mary Jeanne Hutchison, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said it simply regarding Sarah Burton, city horticulturalist and Vine Street Market coordinator: “She is fab.”

The downtown pavilion, O’Fallon Station, was a big hit its first year in operation, with the Vine Street Market exceeding all expectations, and Burton was a big part of it.

The downtown market operated for 24 weeks from May 11 to Oct. 19 and 35 vendors sold meat, flowers, eggs, produce, soaps, wine, baked goods and more. The fresh fruits and vegetables came from within a 100-mile radius, and artisanal items and homemade culinary goods also filled booths inside and out.

Meant to bring the community together, the Vine Street Market was the catalyst for a revived downtown. Burton had this to say during the summer:

“It’s a happy place to be on Saturday mornings. Our vendors have been fantastic, and the community is still showing up in excellent numbers. Even in the rain, we still have a steady flow of people through the market. The Vine Street Market has become a Saturday morning gathering place and we love to see that,” she said.

“We see a lot of people every week who are making shopping at the market and downtown area a new part of their Saturday morning routine. There are lots of families in attendance and everyone seems to enjoy the live music as the patio area stays pretty full during nice weather with people visiting, dancing and eating,” Burton said.

Roach lauds employees

Roach noted the employees’ efforts at the holiday get-together.

“Our city staff works hard all year, so it is nice to be able to recognize them,” Roach said. “Thank you to these employees and all the city of O’Fallon’s employees for their work throughout the year.”

This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 12:02 PM.