CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs on Monday proclaimed the week of May 17-23, 2020 “Public Works Week” in the city of Cullman.
“Many of the essential services the City of Cullman provides fall under the umbrella of public works,” said Jacobs. “Things that we all need – clean drinking water, sewer services, trash pickup and disposal, good streets and sidewalks, traffic signals and signage, safe structures, and much more – are possible because of our public works employees.”
Public works professionals create and maintain infrastructure, facilities, and services that are vital to our quality of life and our health. Cullman’s public works employees work in the Building Inspection Department, Engineering Department, Sanitation Department, Street Department, Traffic Division, Water Department, Wastewater Department, and Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. Because of their essential job duties, these departments have continued to operate continuously throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These men and women are not often recognized as they should be,” said Jacobs. “But they are out there working hard every day to make sure that city services are provided to everyone. They deserve to be recognized for their hard work and for their skill in performing their jobs.”
Since 1960, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has sponsored National Public Works Week. Communities all across North American use the week to educate the public on the importance of public works to their daily lives. This year’s National Public Works Week theme is “The Rhythm of Public Works.” According to the APWA website, the theme challenges folks to “think about their communities as a symphony of essential services, working in concert create a great place to live. Every community has a rhythm, a heartbeat that reflects its essence and tempo of life.” It further states: “Public Works’ keeps a community’s rhythm moving by providing an orchestra of infrastructure services in transportation, water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment, public buildings and spaces, parks, and grounds, emergency management and first response, solid waste, and right-of-way management. Public Works provides the harmony needed for collaboration with all the stakeholders in capital projects, infrastructure solutions, and quality of life services.”
The proclamation from Jacobs urges our citizens to thank a public works professional for their contributions toward protecting our health, safety and quality of life. So, if you see an employee working in your neighborhood, thank them or post a picture on social media using the hashtag #RhythmOfPublicWorks.
