03/28/2024
Spread the love

By Erin Smith

The Bladen County Commissioners recognized eight County employees on Tuesday night for their years of service and honored them with a reception. The recognition took place during the Commissioners’ regular monthly meeting which was held on Tuesday night due to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Bladen County Commissioner Chairman Charles Ray Peterson thanked each one for their service to the County.

“We appreciate each of you for all you do,” said Peterson.

Those recognized were:

*Ronnie Bordeaux with the Bladen County Detention Center with five years of service. Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jeff Singletary was present and said, “We’ve got a new group of armed officers who are doing our transports and he is one of our officers. He does a great job.”

Captain Singletary and Chairman Peterson thanked him for his service.

*Sheila Berkley with the Bladen County Department of Social Services with five years of service.  Vickie Smith said, “She came to us from another county. She moved back home to Bladen County and she started out with us in Child Protective Services and advanced to Supervisor. She is keeping that unit on track. We appreciate your service.”

Smith and Chairman Peterson thanked her for her service.

*Sheila Manual with the Bladen County Department of Social Services with 10 years of service. Social Services Director Vickie Smith said, “She came to Bladen DSS from another agency. She is a Foster Care Social worker and she trains Foster Parents and helps them to decide if they want to become Foster Parents. We appreciate you and all of your hard work.”

Smith and Chairman Peterson thanked her for her service.

*Danette Sessoms with the Bladen County Department of Social Services with 30 years of service. Social Services Director Vickie Smith said, “She has touched a lot of lives. She is also one of our historians in the agency.”

Smith also said that Sessoms is preparing to retire in January 30th.

“On behalf of Bladen County’s citizens, thank you for 30 years of service,” said Chairman Peterson.

Sessoms was the only one recognized who opted to speak. She said was thankful for the opportunity to work with the Bladen County Department of Social Services and the many things she has learned over the years as a result of her employment.

*Lisa Coleman with the Finance Department with 25 years of service. Bladen County Manager Greg Martin said, “She has a very important role as finance director and is very conscientious with the citizens’ money.”

He continued, “She is a pleasure to work with.” Martin and Chairman Peterson also thanked her for her service.

*Jackie Dennis with the Bladen County Health Department with 15 years of service. Bladen County Health and Human Services Director Wayne Raynor said, “She makes sure kids young and old are immunized. In Bladen County 94 percent of 2 year olds have been immunized and the statewide average is 85 percent. That is her passion.”

Raynor and Chairman Peterson thanked her for her service.

*LaShannon McDonald with the Bladen County Public Library with five years of service.  Bladen County Public Library Director Kelsey Edwards said, “LaShannon started with us on the Bookmobile then soon started doing Children’s Services for us.”

She said McDonald is very creative and artistic and is able to develop craft ideas for the children. Edwards and Chairman Peterson thanked her for her service.

*Dean Morris with the Bladen County Soil and Water Conservation Department with 25 years of service. Bladen County Manager Greg Martin said, “We’re pleased to congratulate Dean (Morris) for 25 years of service. He serves the County very well.”

Martin added Morris has been busy with storm debris clean up in rivers and streams from Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence.

Martin and Chairman Peterson thanked him for his service.

Also, following the recognitions, Bladen County Tax Assessor Renee Davis was given her oath of office by Bladen County Clerk of Superior Court Niki Dennis.

A reception was held in their honor immediately following the recognition and administration of the oath of office.

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