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Recognizing excellence: Washington County’s talent, energy and civic pride on display

By Nancy Taylor 5 min read

Excellence comes in many forms when it comes to public servants. Some are smart, some are courageous, others just don't give up.

The Muskingum Valley Beverly-Waterford Chamber of Commerce annual dinner last Thursday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church Social Hall in Beverly was an exercise in civic excellence, cooperation and community building.

It featured the 40th annual year of service awards recognizing the commitment of area law enforcement, fire and EMS providers. The service awards are co-sponsored by the chamber of commerce and the Sons of the American Revolution, Marietta Chapter of the Ohio Society. Chapter President Douglas Pettit and Brice Brightbill, staff assistant to 6th District Ohio Rep. Bill Johnson, helped with the presentations.

EMT James Black was named EMT of the Year by the Washington County Emergency Medical Service Association but was not able to attend the chamber dinner. The other awards were presented in person.

The chamber event also showcased the Business of the Year, Organization of the Year, the Paul King Founders Award and scholarships to two Fort Frye seniors. The two $1,000 scholarships were sponsored by the chamber.

Washington County

Sheriff's Office

Sgt. Duane Painter

When it comes to his job, Sgt. Duane Painter doesn't waste any time. He won the award for Employee of the Year at the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

"He's caught five individuals at three different properties for breaking and entering," Capt. Bryan Lockhart told the chamber awards dinner guests. "He's just an outstanding individual, dependable, has a great work ethic, willing to work overtime when it's needed."

Painter started in 2008 working at the jail, and achieved the rank of lieutenant. In 2019 he decided he wanted to work in the criminal division, so he started over as a deputy, Lockhart said.

"And he's already been promoted to sergeant."

Painter is also serving in the Army National Guard.

Jeff Canterbury

Washington County Career Center Electrical Trades Program

Every year since 2007, when the town Christmas decorations got to be too big of a project for Jayne Dye, Sue Hart and the other original volunteers, Jeff Canterbury and his electrical trades class at Washington County Career Center have been helping out. Rain or shine.

"I helped one year when the weather forecast for the next day was going to be terrible," recalled chamber chairman Sam Skinner. "I suggested we postpone the Christmas decoration work session because of all the rain that was forecast."

"No, we'll do it tomorrow as scheduled," Canterbury said. "They have to learn to work in the rain."

Another year, Skinner said, he asked when Canterbury showed up walking on crutches: "Why are you even here?" Canterbury replied, "Because it needs to be done."

Canterbury's students help with everything, stringing lights, running cords, setting up displays, Skinner told those attending Thursday's chamber of commerce awards dinner.

Dye and Hart told him, "Because of you, we have Christmas lights every year in Dodge Park."

"I want to pay it forward, help out where I can," Canterbury said as he accepted the Organization of the Year award for his electrical trades class. "I try to help out the community where I live and where I work."

Chief Katherine Warden

Marietta Police Department

"I can't think of any time before this that a department head has won the award," Marietta Mayor Joshua Schlicher said of Chief Katherine Warden's award for Marietta Police Department Employee of the Year.

"We know she is the first female sergeant in the department's history," he said. "She's the third female officer and the first female chief. But I believe she's also the first department head to be put forward by the employees in the 40 years these service awards have been given, instead of the other way around."

Warden herself says the nomination, which came in the form of a letter signed by 26 employees, is one of the nicest things that has happened to her since assuming duties as chief.

The letter begins, "We have been asked to provide someone as 'Officer of the Year.' After much deliberation we have decided to vote for Chief Katie Warden as officer of the year."

Warden has made great strides in improving training and equipment, the letter said. She is receptive to ideas and has taken time to speak with staff and see what the needs are.

"Since she has taken over, the morale of our department has increased to the highest level that many of our officers have ever seen. She tells us 'no' a lot but we are treated as active participants in the operation of the agency.

"As a group, we would like to show our support for our chief and let the community know that we support her in this new position as well as in the future. Chief Warden is leading us from the front and is leading us into what we feel is a better department in the present and the future."

Paul King Founders Award

Rick Walters

"Paul King was an original founder of this chamber of commerce, so it's an honor to get this award," Walters said in his remarks.

Muskingum Valley Beverly-Waterford Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sam Skinner noted that Walters was his predecessor in that post, "and has been a huge part of our chamber."

Walters is a former Washington County Commissioner and a semi-retired consultant for the Dietz, Futrell and Walters Insurance agency.

Head Dispatcher Donny Meyers

Belpre P.D.

Employee of the Year

Trooper Jared Miller

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year

Beverly Police Department

Det. Aaron Prine

Employee of the Year

Marietta Fire Department

Adam Wooton

Firefighter of the Year

Starting at /week.