Manatee's BOCC Awards and Proclamations Dominate Tuesday Meeting

Kathy Peel with her husband Sean,and their son accepting her award.

BRADENTON -- Tuesday, the BOCC handed out awards and Proclamations celebrating the loyalty and successes of Manatee County. 

December 6, 2011, is officially Kathy Peel Day and she is Manatee County's Employee of the Year. Her award came just shy of a year since she was Manatee County's Employee of the Month in January of this year.

Peel is a Captain with Manatee County's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and has been an employee since 1989. Peel, who attends nursing school part time at Manatee Memorial, also performs volunteer work with United Way, is said to be a "tireless coordinator" who makes herself available for calls both on and off duty. 

Another prized employee, Purchasing Division Manager Rob Cuthbert,  of the Financial Management Department, is retiring after 21 years of loyal service with Manatee County. To his credit are projects like what was Manatee County's new jail in 1990, and the county's introduction to "Direct Purchasing in '91. He became purchase manager in  1992, procured Manatee's solid waste in 2000 and introduced code changes with venders in 09.

Cuthbert has been a long time Boy Scouts volunteer, and upon his retirement will be spending time as Manatee's District Commissioner in Scouting. When asked what he takes from his years here he said "be careful of what you ask for." County Administrator Ed Hunzeker said, "Truly a professional," adding, "one of the best county employees by far."

Here is Rob Cuthbert and family.

Youth in Government Day -- Here Victoria (Tory) Bell introduces the newest class of the Manatee County Youth Commission. They hung around for almost a couple of hours, took notes and invited commissioners to meet upstairs where they would be having lunch. Some day they might be running the show. Thank you Tory.