Not everything with Midway should be complained about. There are people who should be commended for their work on behalf of the citizens. It’s the extra service rendered that separates the mediocre from those who receive our gratitude. Therefore, I would like to acknowledge those who have given a little more than expected while working for the citizens of Midway.
• For the past 32 years, Terrell Chipp has been a part of the Midway Volunteer Fire Department, which is an outstanding achievement, as not even paid employees stay in the same position for more than three decades. He is also responsible for the city’s infrastructure. Unlike most other employees, Chipp is on duty 24/7, making sure we have water, a working sewer system, and safe streets, sidewalks and bridges. Recently, Chipp was commended by Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes for noticing a possible theft and calling 911, which resulted in an arrest. I want to congratulate Chief Chipp for his outstanding public service.
• We also should thank the 14 volunteer firefighters who keep us safe by responding to an average of more than three calls a day.
• Midway Police Chief Kelli Morningstar took on an under-staffed, under-equipped department, and she built a police department that we can be proud of. Morningstar works to curb bullying and other disciplinary problems in the Midway schools. She serves as a member of the school council, which is responsible for the budget and school operations. She also serves on the board for Helen’s Haven. Morningstar implemented a collection of non-perishable food and hygiene items, which runs through March, to support the Tri-County Protective Agency.
• Officer Mark Rich went above and beyond his duties as a peace officer when he responded to a call about a terminally ill citizen whose medicine was stolen from his mailbox. Instead of just writing up the incident, he called the man’s doctor and pharmacy to get replacement medicines.
• We must extol Gwendolyn Lowe for putting up with political craziness and keeping the city solvent. Lowe was instrumental in the development and installation of the accounting and billing system for the electronic water-metering system. She instituted the procedure for allowing the city to accept credit card payments for water bills. She went out of her way to put together a plan for a city hall, which would have been an asset. Lowe has met or exceeded the standards required by the independent yearly audit each of the six years that she has been employed.
This year, Lowe implemented a new accounting system, taught her staff to use it and transferred past records, all while handling the move of the city hall.
Congratulations to these outstanding employees.