Travis County Commissioners Court
March 25, 2008
Item 4
4. Approve resolution recognizing the following Travis County employees for long and dedicated service: a, theresa howard and -- is ms. Howard here?
>> there she is. Should I read it?
>> please, judge.
>> yeah.
>> okay. It reads whereas theresa howard came to work for Travis County records management on Monday, December 17th, 1987 beginning a satisfying and rewarding career, lasting almost 20 years and whereas theresa howard has exemplified the best ideals of good government through the application of her strong work ethic, sharp intellect and timeless business principles earning the trust and respect of county staff, other government entities and the public. Whereas theresa howard has through the years managed Travis County's mail, prints, reprographics, historical records programs and has served as a trainer and advisor to all county departments and regarding all records issues ranging from -- from paper filing systems set up to high level electronic records retention, by the way next time we will get larger font here for the county judge, whereas theresa howard has been there to guide us through the recovery of records from fires, floods and infest stations, infestations other natural and human caused disasters and difficulties. Whereas this has resulted in increase effectiveness and accountability. Saved Travis County residents millions of dollars. She has performed these difficult duties while exhibiting kindness, thoughtfulness and understanding towards all. Whereas it is with sincere thanks for all of her good, hard work that this Commissioners court on the occasion of theresa howard's really deserved retirement salutes her service and wishes her well in her retirement. Now therefore be it resolved that the Travis County Commissioners court asks that all county employees take a moment to commend records management, theresa howard and her years of service to the people of Travis County and this organization and I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> I have known you, but I have never known that you were theresa howard.
>> you can put the name with the face.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners. Director of records management. I have a couple of comments about theresa if I may. She's one of the unsung heroes of our county. I would like to sing her praises for just a minute. Seems like just yesterday, but it was nearly two decades ago that theresa came to work here, she seemed like a girl at the time. She could have worked anywhere. She has probably been tempted by other offers from other organizations over the years, but she's stayed loyal to us. She could have earned more money. She could have had easier work, but she stayed with us and we've all benefited. Not just us in the room, not just Travis County staff, the public and the taxpayers of Travis County have benefited. Never been a traffic too large or too small that she wouldn't do it with dedication and excellence. She's touched every one of our officers through one seemingly simple but in reality very complex job duty. Theresa knows how long to keep all of our records. She also has applied the knowledge to find your records and she's trained so many of us and helped all of our offices in this endeavor. She's safeguarded these records for future generations, hundreds of years from now there will be researchers and historians that are glad that theresa was here. Our loss is theresa family's gain. I know that her family is all excited. She's going to be dedicating more time to them. But as a final comment I would like to say that -- that theresa has performed all of her duties with the following, she's really cared about it. It's come through in people she's worked with, she's cared about the assets of the county, she's cared about the public. She's treated everyone with respect. Staff members, Commissioners court, she's given lectures to the powerful respectfully. She's treated with understanding complex issues and helped us all wend our way through state regulation and with responsibilities. She's always been here. She's done this work on behalf of the public. It may seem like a strange word to introduce, but -- but in many ways, this -- this ends up being love. And she's loved what she's done. To come out in all of the work that she's done. And as a result, she herself has become beloved by all of us. And -- and we're going to miss her. I知 going to miss her terribly, I know that that love will translate to a family and that love still stays here.
>> now you can give some comments.
>> wow.
>> I don't know if I can follow that.
>> [laughter] I do want to thank you for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Travis County and to be part of this wonderful organization. I have grown both personally and professionally. Thanks to the opportunity to work for the Commissioners court. Alicia perez and steven
>> [indiscernible] steven has been the best boss an employee could ask for. He's allowed to us grow and encouraged us to reach out and stretch and it's really been a wonderful experience. Most of the continuing education I致e received while working for Travis County has come from steven and my co-workers for whom I will be forever grateful. My family and I realize and appreciate the many benefits that we have received through the generosity of the Commissioners court. I hope all of my co-workers realize how fortunate they are to work for Travis County. Working for Travis County has provided many memories that I will relish for years to come. Election nights, the county festivals, the many grand openings that we've had during my 20 years. And working 20 years on the downtown campus has -- has given me opportunities to meet many interesting people. I have met ann richards, george bush, willie nelson, leslie,
>> [laughter], as much as I will miss my experiences at Travis County, I will look forward to a less hectic lifestyle with more time to spend with my family and time to travel. Best wishes to the court and to all Travis County.
>> thank you theresa.
>>
>> [ applause ]
>> now just for the record those are very, very complimentary remarks. You did know on the way out you can say anything that you want to, right?
>> [laughter]
>> oh, yes. I only have good things to say.
>> any more comments? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> py the way I wanted to get you a rolex watch, steve reminded me we can't do that at the county. We have a beautiful proclamation for you to take with you. We'll miss you.
>> thank you.
>> okay. And ms. Howard you have to take it with you, when we approve it you have to take it. Unless you get on the other side of that -- once you get on the other side of that door it's your business.
>> [laughter] and and should I read this one, too?
>> please, judge. We have a lot of people retiring today.
>> yeah.
>> is that sending a message or -- it reads whereas maryanne carmona came to work for Travis County on January 9th, 1984, beginning a satisfying and rewarding career, whereas maryanne has assisted tens of thousands of Travis County citizens to navigate the courthouse, whereas she she has been the voice entering the Travis County courthouse on thousands of calls. Whereas mary anne has directed her knowledge and energies to directing Travis County citizens to the services and information they need for 13 years. Whereas she has demonstrated the demonstration to customer service principles that anchor any successful enterprise. Whereas it is with sincere thanks for all of her good, hard work that this Commissioners court on the occasion of . Mary ann carmona. Well deserved retirement wishes her well. Therefore be it resolved that the Travis County Commissioners court asks all county completion to take a moment to commend mary ann carmona for her service to the people of Travis County and this organization.
>> I have a couple more comments. If you spend time in the courthouse you know maryann. If you are not a visitor, you will know her she is the voice of the information line. Anyone who calls externally and internally to Travis County. I thought today we ought to get a look the at pretty face behind those calls. Being this voice is not an easy job. Many of those who call are upset, they are frustrated. They are looking for something or someone they often don't know how to ask. Maybe of them don't speak english. Mary ann has been there for all of those people. In addition she's acted as a translator in the courthouse for people in the courts. In the library self help and for other Travis County employees. She might have been tempted to give some advice to people over the years who called. But she's done all of this with cheerfulness, she's done it with understanding and equanimity and she's done a spectacular job. This is mary ann's second retirement. It's my hope that since she's so vital and full of spirit there will be a third retirement
>> [laughter] mary ann is also known, my final comment, known as the champion pecan picker upper in the capitol complex. Now, during her lunch hour she will go out and they say they can find pecans that no one else can. So I think that about a year from now, we're going to see a difference in the county complex in that we're going to see many more and fatter squirrels.
>> [laughter] so our loss is the squirrel's benefit. I sincerely wish mary ann all the best and hope she doesn't forget us. Swerm won't forget her. Thank you. We certainly won't forget her.
>> thank you.
>> well, I didn't -- I didn't prepare a speech per se. I didn't know -- I was going to just say thank you to everyone and -- and I enjoyed working here, I知 so glad that -- that -- that records management hired me to be their receptionist. I really enjoyed, I love working with people and I love people and I知 really going to miss that part of it. Just being at work every day and enjoying the people that come by me. I like, you know, working for the county. So I知 really going to -- to all of my employees and all of the employees that work with us and had the work that I do, so I -- it isn't an easy way out, but I値l manage.
>> thank you very much.
>> thank you.
>> so you were in the heman sweatt historical courthouse.
>> yes.
>> yes, sir.
>> we didn't see you nearly enough in this building.
>> no.
>> we tried our best -- I try to get over there once or twice a year but no more
>> [laughter] well, we will miss your dedication and hard work.
>> thank you.
>> you have a career in voiceover. She has a great voice.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you for your service.
>> thank you.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:51 PM