March 2023 Employee Spotlight - Hunter Simmons

Please welcome the newest member of our team, Mr. Hunter Simmons. Born and raised in Lumpkin County, Hunter was home-schooled since the 5th grade, and at the ripe age of 16, obtained his GED because he wanted to get into the work force and begin making a difference as soon as he could. He likes to hunt and fish and has impressed his teammates with his willingness to learn and jump in and do anything asked of him.

Hunter will be working in both the Public Works and Utilities Departments. Public Works are responsible for everything related to our 19 miles of streets, 19 miles of sidewalks, all related stormwater, two parks, the Farmers Market, two cemeteries, care of our city buildings and facilities. This includes keeping the roads safely open, clean and in good shape, even during the challenging winter months that bring snow and any other severe weather. They also care for the City Hall building complex that includes the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and City Hall. They work with HOA's to install speed bumps, speed limits signs, directional signs and other tasks needed to protect our residents. If you've attended a special event, such as Food Truck Friday or the Christmas tree lighting, you've seen them hard at work.

The Utility Department is charged with monitoring and maintaining operation of the city's award-winning water distribution system, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, as well as garbage service, ensuring all are in strict compliance with all public health, environmental protection and other state and federal guidelines and requirements. They are completing an upgrade to radio-read water meters, drilling a new well, and designing an $11 million sewage treatment plant. The Utility Department works 24-7-365 including responses to emergencies, such as, pump outages, equipment breakdown, turbid water conditions, and malfunction of rate controllers, chlorinators and other chemical feeding equipment. Welcome to the team, Hunter!