On a day of celebration and recognition, the City of Clarksville took time to honor its own. In a ceremony led by Mayor Joe Pitts and various department heads, 220 city employees were presented with service pins for their years of dedication and work, according to a press release from the City of Clarksville. During an annual luncheon at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center at Liberty Park, milestones ranging from 5 to 45 years of service were celebrated.
Amidst the usual business of governance and public service, Mayor Pitts took the opportunity, to highlight the importance of the city employees, noting, "The City of Clarksville employee family is truly a cross-section of Clarksville." It was a moment to pause and reflect on the individuals who form the backbone of the city's operations. Despite a roster of about 1,800 workers, the event personalized an otherwise vast municipal machine, placing a deserved spotlight on the people within it.
Among those honored was Thomas McClellan, a Lead Shift Supervisor at the Clarksville Gas & Water Department’s Wastewater Treatment Plant who tops the list with an impressive 45 years of service. His tenure is not just a number but a narrative of resilience and adaptability. McClellan's beginnings as a meter reader in 1979 set the course for a career marked by four decades of change. "I love working for the City. The job security has been wonderful, and no matter how bad the weather is, the job has been there for me. They have been real good to me," McClellan told the City of Clarksville.
A sentiment echoed by Mark Riggins, General Manager of Clarksville Gas & Water, who praised McClellan's unwavering loyalty and commitment. His role transcended the daily expectations, touching upon significant events and transformations including substantial expansions, the aftermath of the 2010 flood, and the modernization of practices and protocols. “Tommy was instrumental in advocating for, and the completion or implementation of many of these items, and more," Riggins reflected during the luncheon.
