Mick Lang, asphalt foreman for the Road and Bridge Department, was honored with the county’s Employee Recognition Award during the County Commission meeting Monday morning. The Employee Relations Committee quarterly recommends outstanding individuals for the award.
Lang was nominated for the closing quarter of 2018 by Commission Assistant Diana Watson and County Works Director Darren Williams for his work at the county’s Golden Belt Memorial Park north of Great Bend.
“Serving personally as the president of the Barton County Memorial Parks Advisory Committee, he is in a unique position to foster the growth and development of the park, and by extension, the Golden Belt Veterans Memorial,” the nomination reads.
“He does an amazing job,” said Watson, who has worked closely with Lang on the memorial project. “He is a wonderful example of what it means to be a county employee.”
Watson said Lang has been on-site and supervised the installation of the stones at the memorial. He has made sure everything is done right.
Commissioners Kenny Schremmer, Alicia Straub, Jennifer Schartz and Don Davis took turns praising Lang for his efforts.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this project,” Lang said. “I thank you for all the support.”
Lang especially gave a shout out to Schremmer and Schartz who were around the idea of the memorial was first conceived. “It’s been in the air for quite a while,” and finally has come to fruition.
“It’s a beautiful memorial out there. It’s something to be proud of,” he said. More importantly, he said it is important to recognize veterans for their service.
In addition to honoring Lang, Commissioner Davis said other thanks are due as well, “We need to recognize everyone who donated to the project,” since these contributions made the memorial possible by paying to have veterans’ names inscribed in the stones.
Barton County Commission meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Barton County Commission did Monday morning:
• Approved a proclamation honoring the Hoisington High School football team.
• Recognized Barton County employees for continuous service in five-year increments.
• Presented the Employee Recognition Award to Mick Lang, asphalt foreman for the Road and Bridge Department.
• Made appointments to the Barton County Local Emergency Planning Committee. The LEPC is comprised of representatives from the following groups: state/local officials; law enforcement; firefighting; emergency management; health; hospital; broadcast media and/or communications media; transportation; local environmental group; community service/civic group; emergency medical services; and facilities/industries regulated by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act Title III, said Emergency Manager Amy Miller.
Reappointed were Kelly Bachar with University of Kansas Health Systems - Great Bend, Steven Billinger with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, Lindsey Bogner with Ellinwood District Hospital, Doug Hubbard with Fire District No. 1, Luke McCormick with the Great Bend Fire Department, Roger McPherson with Fuller Industries, Jane Schepmann with Clara Barton Hospital and Clinics, county Health Director Shelly Schneider, Steve Webster with Eagle Radio, and County Clerk Donna Zimmerman. New appointees included Alisha Craft with Medicalodges - Great Bend and Dennis Neeland with Great Bend Co-op.
• Approved a matching fund request for the SouthWest Kansas Area Agency on Aging. SWKAAA is requesting the $1,500, which would be used as “seed dollars” and are an equivalent match to the $398,588 in services received by older residents and low income families from Barton County. The County has traditionally provided this match from the finance general account of the general fund, said County Administrator Phil Hathcock.
