ROCKINGHAM — Three municipal departments have been recognized for their dedication to safety by the N.C. Department of Labor.
The Rockingham Police and Public Works departments, as well as the city water plant, were awarded through NCDOL’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
According to NCDOL, SHARP — which is available to employers in the private and public sectors — “is designed for small and medium-size employers that have established, implemented, and maintained exceptional workplace safety standards” and “recognizes businesses that have invested superior time and effort into maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.”
Prior to the presentation, an overview of each department was given by consultant Debbie Rogers-Lowery, president of Compliance Training Associates. She also chairs the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Council.
According to Rogers-Lowery, there are only 29 public sector sites recognized in the state, with the local police and water departments each being one of three in their respective areas, and the Public Works Department is one of 11.
“So of the 29, they are three of those, and that’s pretty outstanding,” she said. “I am very, very proud of them.”
David Capen, chief deputy commissioner of labor, presented the awards to representatives of each department.
“SHARP is not an award that’s just given out lightly,” Capen said. “It represents a voluntary and rigorous process, one that challenges organizations to go well beyond minimal safety standards.”
Earning the SHARP designation, Capen said, means that safety is not just a requirement, but a core value.
“It means employees come to work each and every day knowing that their wellbeing is a priority, which is, of course, great for recruitment, great for retention,” Capen continued. “It also means that hazards are identified and addressed before they become incidents. It means safety is not just written policy and procedures, it’s a culture lived out every day across every department."
Capen said that kind of commitment is “especially meaningful” in public service.
“To the employees of the city of Rockingham, our message to you is this: Thank you,” Capen added. “The work you do keeps this community running, and it’s not without its risks.”
Capen also thanked city leaders: “Your dedication to protecting your workforce while serving your citizens speaks volumes about your leadership and your values.”
The goal of Labor Commissioner Luke Farley, according to Capen, is to make North Carolina “the safest state to work.” In the commissioner’s first year in office, the Tar Heel State moved up in the rankings from 23 to No. 2 behind neighboring Virginia.
“This is a reflection of what’s possible when both employers and employees commit to a culture of safety,” Capen said.“The city of Rockingham truly sets a strong example of what this mission looks like in action. This recognition reflects strong leadership, engaged employees and a shared commitment to excellence across your city government.”
Several council members commented that they are appreciative of the city employees’ commitment to safety.
Mayor John Hutchinson said, in regards to the designation, that he appreciates that the focus is on the employees, and jokingly asked if the council would be required to wear safety vests at some point.
State Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, who was in the audience, also gave accolades to the city leadership and employees.
“That’s a choice you make when you come to work, and that’s great that they’re going home the same way they came to work,” Moss said.
Following the presentation, Mayor John Hutchinson opened a public hearing for a text amendment to the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to include provisions for the creation of conditional zoning districts.
Assistant City Manager John Massey explains conditional zoning districts.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Assistant City Manager John Massey said conditional zoning will allow the city to rezone property based on a specific site plan and to attach specific conditions.
Traditionally, the board had to consider all possible uses for the proposed zoning district.
“Conditional zoning is much more restrictive,” Massey said. “It has to be requested by the applicant and they have to agree to the conditions that are approved, in writing, prior to you approving the rezoning.”
Those conditions — including limitation of use and buffering standards — can be proposed by the council, planning board or by the public, according to Massey.
There was no one at the meeting to speak for or against the measure in the public hearing and it was passed unanimously by the council.
The only other action item was to approve an audit contract for the end of this fiscal year with local accounting firm Anderson Smith and Wike.
At the end of the meeting, the mayor issued a proclamation recognizing May 3-9 as Municipal Clerks Week. Sabrina McDonald was certified in 2015 and served as deputy clerk before being sworn in as clerk in 2017. Kim Williams was appointed deputy clerk in 2022.
