Every year, since 2020, the City of Clarksville and Mayor Joe Pitts reserve a special date to thank all City employees for their dedication and commitment to public service during the Cause for Applause event.
To keep up with tradition, the City hosted its third annual event on March 8 at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center to acknowledge the hard work of all 1,330 employees and recognize the exceptional efforts of 130 stellar employees who have made a difference in their department and community.
“It is a great honor to be here with you at your Cause for Applause event; to be here with such a dynamic and inspiring group of men and women,” Mayor Pitts said. “Your passion for our community is a quality that cannot be learned and an ability that cannot be taught. Let me tell you on this Cause for Applause day, thank you for your continued dedication to providing the highest quality of service to the City of Clarksville, a place that we’re all proud to call our home.”
The keynote speaker for this year’s Cause for Applause was Bishop Anthony Alfred, pastor, and founder of the Faith Worship Center. He assisted Mayor Pitts in opening up the event for the ceremony.
“At the age of 16, Bishop Alfred was called into God’s army as minister of the gospel,” Mayor Pitts said. “He has taken on some tough assignments throughout his life, including president of the Clarksville Area Ministerial Association. He is one of the most gifted speakers you’ll ever have the privilege to hear, and I am so grateful for his encouragement and prayerful support to our City employee family.”
The Cause for Applause ceremony consists of three categories: (1) Employee of the Year, (2) Shining Star, and (3) Rising Star.
Every year, all department heads are delegated to identify the employees who have made the most significant contributions to the community, their department, and their professional growth.
Shining Stars are those who had a direct impact on developing policy or procedures, provided the highest quality of customer service, continuously contributed to community service, and demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment throughout their career. Rising Stars are employees who have shown excellent customer service, directly contributed to enhancing community relations, received a special ‘shout out’ from a citizen or customer, and volunteered on special projects.
The Employee of the Year is someone who demonstrates all of the above, excels in knowledge and expertise, exhibits a willingness to work in a team setting, shows initiative and carries out additional responsibilities, and consistently portrays a positive attitude.
This year, Mayor Pitts received 130 recognition nominations from the department heads, consisting of 65 Shining Stars and 65 Rising Stars. The Employee of the Year award went to Willie Scott, from the Clarksville Street Department.
Mayor Pitts described Scott as one who “reflects the values of our City: honesty, works hard, loves family, great customer service, always willing to help a fellow employee, kind, and the list could go on.”
“Our honoree reflects all these characteristics and more,” he added. “It is a pleasure to honor Willie Scott as our employee of the year.”
The attendees received a warm breakfast, star pin, certificate of appreciation, and a tote bag.
Was looking for the other employee photos and possible slide show that was playing from the Mayor’s Award ceremony on March 8.