June 18, 2008

Today was a council meeting, which I knew, would be a bit more exciting than others, but I do not want to take away from two awards given to members of our fine city employees.

Before I go on, I would like to recognize Officer Brian Buffington, who today received the Life Saver Award, for notifying the residents on either side of a house, which was fully engulfed in flames in the late evening, who were sleeping in their homes, which were also on fire, to get them to safety. As Chief Gerald Lanich, revealed, Officer Brian Buffington risked his own personal safety while going into one of the homes to wake the resident.

Also, Officer Brian Buffington, and other fellow officers, were a key part of solving a case were schools in, Hall, Gwinnett, Fulton and Barrow Counties, were broken into and computers and other items were stolen resulting in nearly $100,000 worth of items were recovered.

I would also like to recognize the Flowery Branch Water and Sewer Department who received two Gold Awards from Georgia Association of Water Professionals for running an outstanding operation.

Please remember those individuals who run important services such as police, water, and sewer. Most people forget about the police, until they need them, or get mad when they get a ticket, but they are fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters, just like you and I, and are just trying to “protect and serve”. And remember when you wash your cloths, brush your teeth, or flush your toilet, there are great people ensuring the water and sewer is operating safely and efficiently.

Please read this article and this article.

Thank you to all our city employees.