The Tribune

By Kathryn Campbell

Bahamas Information Services

WILLIAM Brown is the 2017 Employee of the Year at the Ministry of Public Works.

A clerk in the Architectural Section, he was selected from among 18 nominees who were celebrated during an Employee of the Year Awards Luncheon at the British Colonial Hilton on September 29.

Mr Brown has been in the public service since 1995 and is described by his supervisor as an "officer who is always willing to perform his duties whether conditions are favourable or unfavourable."

In the keynote address, Minister of Works Desmond Bannister described the nominees as "champions" who were being recognised for their commitment and standard of professionalism.

He said public service is too often a "thankless" setting and used the opportunity to express gratitude to the nominees on behalf of himself, the government and the Bahamian people.

"You have made service your career very often sacrificing time, energies that would have gone into family and for that we say thank you to families who equally deserve credit."

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works Iram Lewis told the honourees that they are all winners and there is no greater honour than to be recognised by one's colleagues.

Colin Higgs, permanent secretary, urged the employees to continue to bring value to the ministry and to strive for excellence.

He said success depends on everyone in the Ministry.

Among the honourees were mother and son, Sandra Rolle and Orlando Strachan, who won fourth and fifth place respectively; Edgar Fernander, third place; Dion Robinson, second place; and Thomas Frazier, first-runner up.

They received trophies and other awards.

Special awards were given to: Elvis Reckley and Ritchie Alce, Outstanding Tradesman Award; Anthony Fowler and Jody Bootle, Honour Award, and Carolee Lightbourne, Outstanding Family Island Recipient.