Long-serving county employees recognized at event

Craven County employs more than 600 people, and 102 of them were honored recently for their dedication to, and longevity with, the county.

It may sound a little vain, said Jack Veit, Craven County manager, but I think the best asset we have in county government is our county employees. I really believe that.

They all work for a common goal, to make the lives of our citizens better. I respect you for that and appreciate you for the jobs you do.

At a recent luncheon event, Veit, Craven County Human Resources Director Amber Parker and five Craven County commissioners stood on a podium at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center and shook employees hands as certificates of appreciation were distributed to those with tenures hitting five-year milestones.

The longest serving employee in that category was Craven County Planning Director Don Baumgardner, who marked 35 years in 2013.

Baumgardner, 59, grew up in West Virginia, but his mother was originally from New Bern and brought him back to Craven County after his graduation in business and economics from Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) in Shepherdstown, W.Va., and following a few years working for the National Parks Service.

In an interview, Baumgardner said, Its been 35 years of enjoyment working with the governing board and citizens of this county. It would not have been enjoyable if I hadnt had the good people I had the opportunity to work with and serve.

Most people think with sound reasoning when they hear all sides of an issue, and I understand that I work for the public. I have grown in the job: There is not one day I come to work that I dont learn something new.

Baumgardner said thinks his long tenure has worked in his and the countys favor. When problems arise, sometimes we know because of years of experience how to deal with it or where to go to try to solve the issue.

Hired by then-planner Tyler Harris, who later became county manager, Baumgardner started as a one-employee department in a county whose people did not feel comfortable with official planning and zoning.

More:
Long-serving county employees recognized at event