January 9, 2009
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 3
Around Town City employees honored at annual dinner When Ed Bryce went to the city of Clayton annual dinner last month, he knew he would be receiving his 20 year service pin. But, what he didn’t know was that the City Manager’s Employee Achievement Award and a standing ovation and would follow. Bryce joined the city of Clayton maintenance department in July 1988 and has been working on the city’s landscaping and infrastructure since. “He’s kind of like the ‘unsung hero’ of the city,” says City Manager Gary Napper. “When you want something done with no complaints just go to Ed.” When he isn’t installing, fixing, pruning or mowing something, he oversees the workers sent to Clayton by the county sheriff ’s department under the Work Alternative Program. He sees real value in the program. “They seem to have a little more respect, more responsibility when they leave us,” notes Bryce, who plans on at least another six years with the city
Police dispatchers’ act of generosity helps make a happy Christmas for local family Police dispatchers serving both Clayton and Concord made a difference in the lives of the Groebner family of Clayton with a Christmas gift to help the family through some difficult times. Katie Grace Groebner, 6, suffers from pulmonary hypertension and had recently been rushed to the hospital due to an infection in the line feeding medication directly to her heart. Tracey Downing, the police dispatcher who spearheaded the effort to raise money for the Groebner family for Christmas explained their motivation. “I saw the article on Claycord.com about Kate Grace and I was amazed by the story of Katie Grace, as well as what the people of Clayton were doing.” Downing explained that the police department usually works with the city to adopt a family in need over the holidays, however with the Groebner family they
André Gensburger/Clayton Pioneer
TRACEY DOWNING is one of the Clayton/Concord Police dispatchers who spearheaded the effort to give Katie Grace Groebner a special Christmas.
wanted to do more. “We all talked about it together,” Downing added, “and decided to do something for her.” The “something” mentioned was an envelope of gift cards to
Photos by Tamara Steiner/Clayton Pioneer
ED BRYCE received the City Manager’s Employee Achievement Award
before he retires. Also honored at the dinner were several members of the police department with peervoted recognitions. Police Department Coordinator Lynn Christ was voted Employee of the Year. Last year, Christ received the City Manager’s Achievement Award. She is probably best known for organizing and coordinating the city’s Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) program. Richard McEachin was named Officer of the Year, Russ
POLICE DEPARTMENT Employee of the year, Lynn Christ.
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Eddy received Reserve Officer of the Year, Matt McLaughlin was honored as Explorer of the Year. The Volunteer of the Year award went to Jim Webb, who provides administrative support to the department for several hours a week. Webb is one of the original volunteers with the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program which is going into its third year in Clayton. “We’ve really become reliant on him,” says Chief Dan Lawrence.
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What’s happening Around Town? Photo courtesy of the Groebner family
THE GROEBNER FAMILY, John, Savanha, Katie Grace, and Kathy pose for a Christmas day photograph.
Send your news and photos of your births, engagements weddings, special recognitions, etc. to info@claytonpioneer.com.
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different stores, one for Katie Grace, one for her sister Savanha, and one for the family as a whole. “The girls got cards to the Limited Too stores,” Kathy Groebner, Katie Grace’s mother, reported. “They love to play dress up. Tracey had contacted me while we were still in the hospital. That was so nice of them to do that. The girls were happy.” In addition to the gift cards, the girls also received new bicycles from the fire department, and had a visit from Santa Claus while still in the hospital. Kathy Groebner is grateful for all the support given to her family from the community. “I’m glad that we were able to do this,” Downing said of the dispatcher’s gift. “Katie Grace was the perfect person for it.” Katie Grace was released from the hospital shortly before Christmas, although she had to return there Christmas Eve due to a blockage in the temporary medication line. She returns to Stanford for a new Broviac medication line Jan. 15 and the family hopes that the ongoing treatments will keep Katie Grace’s pulmonary pressure lowered. - André Gensburger
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