Th VillageVIBE
Village of Bald Head Island Employee Newsletter
WELCOME!
Jae Kim will be coming on board on August 18, 2021, to serve as the new Assistant Village Manager. Jae comes to us from Spring Hope, North Carolina where he served as Town Manager for 5 years. He received his Master of Public Affairs (MPA) at UNC Greensboro with a concentration in local government. Jae’s undergraduate degree in Political Science also came from UNCG. He started his local government career as a town planner in Aberdeen, NC and then worked as a management intern in Robbins, NC and a special projects coordinator in Carthage, NC before landing in Spring Hope and becoming its Town Manager.
Third Quarter 2021
There are four dogs in Jae’s household. His two dogs are a male black lab named Jyn and a female German short-haired pointer named Finn (both named after Star Wars characters). His girlfriend has two shih tzus, Addy and Lane. He is a huge baseball fan. The Boston Red Sox are his favorite team. He also enjoys hiking, camping, golf, sci-fi and naps. He’s looking forward to finding all of the hidden gems of delicious dining in our area. His first visit to the island was for his job interview and he thought the island was amazing. He cannot wait to meet the Village employees and residents. Turtles are his spirit animal, and he loves that the island is a nesting place for loggerheads.
Issue 2
C E L E B R A T E !
Back in May, Village employees got together for the first time in quite a while to enjoy the annual Employee Appreciation Season Kick-off BBQ Grillmaster David Mintz did not disappoint He spent several hours preparing a variety of meat for employees to enjoy Several Council members stopped by to show their appreciation for Village employees
The following employees received service awards:
Public Safety
Paul Homick (5 years)
Charles Hylton (10 years)
Administration/IPC/ Contractor Services
Kelli Carbone (5 years)
Gina Hinson (5 years)
Public Services
Nathan Lindsay (5 years)
Joseph Mar tino (5 years)
Lloyd Jackson (10 years)
Ian Carico (15 years)
Michael Harris (15 years)
Thank you all for your service and thank you David Mintz for sharing your special talent. Our tastebuds are already anxious for next year!
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter 2
Grillmaster David Mintz
Save $
LGFCU
The only statewide credit union serving municipal and county employees
Our last issue featured LifeMart discounts available to employees. If you didn’t receive the sign-up information, please feel free to contact Mishanda Mohundro and she will assist you. Another way Village employees can find savings is through membership with the Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).
The LGFCU is the only statewide credit union exclusively serving municipal and county employees, elected/appointed officials, local government volunteers and their families. It is a full service not-for-profit financial cooperative. There are LGFCU branches in Southport, Shallotte, and Leland and several branches in Wilmington to serve your financial needs. They are located inside all State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) branches.
LGFCU’s mission is to offer a variety of products and services designed to improve your life. It keeps its fees and loan rates competitive to help you keep more of your money. Here are just a few of its products and services:
Car Buying Service
Mortgage Assistance Program
Personal Loans
New and Used Vehicle Loans
Investment Property Loans
Visa Credit Card (9.75 APR)
BillPay
E-statements
Don’t Forget To Use Your Health & Wellness Retail Card
Insurance (homeowners, renters, auto, auto rental, life) Scholarships (UNC SOG, Administrative Officers Program, Law Enforcement Executive Program, LGFCU Scholarship)
Financial Counseling
Complimentary Notary Public
FAFSA Assistance
Theme Park
Ticket Discount
Tax Filing Services
Educational Assistance through the Village 50/50 Shared Costs
All employees who enrolled in Blue Cross Blue Shield during Open Enrollment last summer should have received a pre-loaded Health & Wellness Retail Card. This card is loaded with $400 and it is good through 2027. It’s easy to use and is accepted at a variety of local retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, Dollar General and Family Dollar. They cannot be used to pay for insurance premiums, prescription drugs, tobacco, or alcohol, but they can help pay for:
Healthy food
Over-the-counter medications
First aid supplies
Baby care items
Exercise Equipment Vitamins, and more.
It works and is easy to use! You can also use coupons with your purchase.
Full-time employees are eligible to receive up to $2,000 per f iscal year based on the successful completion of classes (def ined as a f inal grade of C or better)
Covered costs include tuition, books, lab costs, and student fees. Requests for tuition assistance are submitted to the Human Resources Off ice prior to course registration and are subject to the review and approval of Department Director and Village Manager and are subject to availability of funds. Funds are currently available for this f iscal year
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter
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CERTIFICATIONS
WAY TO GO!
These employees have received certifications and promotions over the past year:
Kenny Adkins – Grade 1 Collections Operator
Anthony Sinatra – Grade 1 Collections Operator
Michelle Kesmodel – Certificate of Completion for Intermediate Microsoft Excel and Utilities
Billing and Collections Administration
Lloyd Jackson – Certificate of Training, Water Distribution Operator
PROMOTIONS
Steve Barger – Corporal
Gina Hinson – IPC Postmaster and then Accounting Technician
Mike Harris – Public Works Field Operations Supervisor
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y
Brandon Todd
Chris McCall
Charles Trott
Brandy Nance
Steven Barger
Robert Miller
Obed Macias
William Dellinger
David LaPlante
Paul Harris
Malcolm Kennedy
Trevor Ricker
Steven Butler
Elizabeth Gray
Dustin Shaw
Joe Forte
John Parker
Robert Taylor
Michael Adams
Corey Craven
Joseph Statton
Sebastian Alamond
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER 4
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Congratulations!
WELCOME!
New Employees
Obed Macias - IPC/PO
Malcolm Kennedy - Public Safety (PT)
Dexter (Woody) Altman - Public Safety (FT)
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter 5 Department Date Years of Service Employee Employee Anniversaries David LaPlante Gina Hinson Stephen Boyett Dexter Altman Steven Barger Zachary Hewett Brandon Todd Brandon Fuller Steven Williams Carin Faulkner Eric Riley Kenneth Adkins Nicholas Hugh Charles Hylton Ian Carico Jerry Waits Chris McCall Joe Forte Judy Schofield Paul Homick Alan May Public Safety IPC/PO Development Services Public Safety Public Safety Finance Public Safety Public Safety Public Safety Administration Public Safety Public Services Public Services Public Safety Public Services Public Services Administration Contractor Services Human Resources Public Safety Public Safety 7/6/2013 7/6/2016 7/12/2004 7/14/2020 7/18/2018 7/22/2020 7/26/2018 8/1/2018 8/1/2018 8/14/2019 8/15/2018 8/16/2017 8/16/2017 8/17/2011 8/28/2006 9/3/2014 9/13/2004 9/21/2015 9/27/2017 9/28/2016 9/30/2020 8 5 17 1 3 1 3 3 3 2 3 4 4 10 5 7 17 6 4 5 1
Daralyn Spivey
FAREWELL!
Daralyn Spivey started working for
the Village in 2007 and has served as Village Clerk since early 2014 Some who have worked on the island for a good while may remember Daralyn before she joined the Village as she worked for Limited for 9 years before working for the Village. That makes 23 years working on Bald Head Island. She calculated that to about 12,000 ferry rides over the years. Daralyn accepted the Clerk to the Board
position with Brunswick County. Her last day with the Village was June 22, 2021. Village employees got together at least twice to wish her well. Once was at a picnic in the Utilities garage and another at Provisions. Last we checked she was loving her new position!
Ivan Rodbell
on Bald Head Island for five years, his total career spanned over five decades beginning with his appointment as a firefighter in Montgomery County, Maryland. On Ivan’s last official ride on the ferry, which was July 27, 2021, he received a water salute as he departed the island (a fire service custom). Ivan said that it was a goal of his to ride the ferry 1,000 times. On his last day he said that the system read 989 and that the last ride would make it 990. He went on to say that because he left the island on emergencies several times over the years, and those trips were not recorded, he met his goal and exceeded it. Ivan said he plans to purchase an RV and travel around the country.
Kelli Carbone served as an last day was on July 30, 2021, so she worked for the Village for five years. Village employees got together at Provision Company to send her off. That night just so happened to be the day after her birthday, so she was serenaded with Happy Birthday by the entire restaurant that evening.
accounting technician beginning on August 1, 2016. Her
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter 6
Kelli Carbone
Ivan Rodbell served as a Public Safety Officer
MUSIC FOR WELLBEING
It is not a surprise that music plays a big part in many of our lives. It is universal amongst all cultures and can be shared beyond the limits of language or economic status. Our brains are wired to tell the difference between noise and music and to respond to tone and rhythm. Although it is unknown whether this is biological or accidental, several studies show that music may enhance health and wellbeing.
Below are five areas that have been studied:
• brain
• stress
• mood
• stroke recovery
• heart health
Music can influence the 'reward center' of the brain like chocolate or alcohol Patients in a stress study who were listening to music showed a drop in heart and breathing rates Cheerful music can also alter mood and elicit feelings of happiness even with those who suffer from depression and anxiety. Stroke victims may benefit from listening to music because studies show that it may promote new connections between damaged nerve cells. Finally, music may lower blood pressure, heart rate, and reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
So, turn on some music and enjoy the relaxing and energizing benefits! For more information, please visit: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/music-and-health
Contest!
During the month of June, for EMPLOYEE WELLBEING MONTH, Mishanda sent out wellbeing tips and ideas for employees to work on each week.
On a slip of paper, write down ONE IDEA OR TIP that you have used, or are using and place it in the designated box in the Village Hall breakroom. One entry will be drawn on 9/3/21 for a PRIZE!
And the winner is... KELLI CARBONE
Kelli won the puzzle contest from last issue. Thank you to all who submitted entries. There are more contests to come!
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Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
VILLAGE HOLIDAYS
Monday, September 6, 2021
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Thursday and Friday, November 25 & 26, 2021
Thursday, Friday & Monday, December 23, 24 & 27, 2021
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter 8 This is YOUR newsletter. Tell us about your hobbies! Do you compete in competitions outside of work? Is your family growing? New child/grandchild/pet /engagement? Is your child/grandchild about to graduate? Do you have some amazing recipes? Do you volunteer? Tell us about it! Send information to: publicinformation@villagebhi.org or text (910) 368-6338 We want to hear about you! Submit your photos We need your baby/early childhood photos for future contests. Send them to the email or phone number above! Welcome to the Family!
Safety Officer Dustin Shaw and his wife Amy are the proud parents of Aubrey Palmer Shaw, who was born on Friday, June 25, 2021. Aubrey weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20.5 in. long. Congratulations to the Shaws! Congratulations to the Shaws!
Public
Labor Day
