Kinney named Employee of the Year
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
VICKI KINNEY was honored as the city’s first Employee of the Year, during a dinner held at The Crow’s Nest on Sept. 29. Pictured is City Manager Jim Bennett congratulating Kinney.
PRESQUE ISLE — Vicki Kinney, administrative assistant to the chief of police, was named the city’s Employee of the Year during a recognition dinner held at The Crow’s Nest on Sept. 29.
“Council thinks enough of (city) employees that the Employee of the Year will get an extra week’s paid vacation,” said City Manager Jim Bennett, as he prepared to announce the winner.
Bennett said of the nominations, one person stood out above the rest.
“One person, over their career, jumped out at us. They’ve worked for a couple different leaders and have truly been an asset to the department. Remarks have included, ‘The employee is a delight to work with,’” said Bennett.
“The next boss called the individual a ‘hard worker, who’s dependable and trustworthy.’ The next employer said they ‘couldn’t imagine working with a more competent professional.’ This person has been a real staple when throwing any event together,” said Bennett, as he introduced Kinney as the first Employee of the Year.
“I hope you agree we’ve made a real good choice,” said Bennett, as those in attendance applauded for Kinney.
Kinney stepped forward to accept an award and handshake from Bennett.
“I was totally surprised. I had no idea,” said Kinney.
Kinney said she’d tried to figure out who might win the award but never dreamed she’d be the recipient.
“When I look at all the other employees the city has, I thought for sure it would go to someone else. I realized at the dinner just how many employees have come and gone since I began working for the city. There are only a handful left that I started working with that are still employed by the city,” said Kinney.
“I’m honored to have been selected,” said Kinney, who has worked for three different police chiefs in her 19-year career with the city, including: James Ferland, Naldo Gagnon and her current boss, Matt Irwin.
