The people who serve the residents of Little Rock are City Hall’s most important assets. Our 2,500 team members support our residents and guests, and we count on them to deliver quality service no matter their jobs. Some members of our team have been valuable employees for decades, and this year we recognized three individuals setting longevity milestones.

Lt. C.P. Thomas is approaching 51 years as a Little Rock police officer. His 50th anniversary with LRPD was last July. During his illustrious career, he has received multiple awards and commendations, including the first-ever Medal of Valor presented by the Little Rock Board of Directors in 1986.

Over the past 50 years, the City has doubled in size geographically and the police force has tripled. At the same time, Lt. Thomas has adapted to advancements in technology that changed and improved policing. He said he most enjoys the camaraderie he shares with other officers: “Since I do not fish, hunt, or play golf, the best activity for me is to work and enjoy the relationship I have with other supervisors and officers.”

Susie Matheny, a recreation facility supervisor with the Parks and Recreation Department, has been with the City for 40 years. Her connections to the Parks Department go back further than that, though, because she benefited from recreational programming at East Little Rock Recreation Center as a youth, and that helped her receive a college volleyball scholarship.

The 2024 Parks Department employee of the year, she is proud that Little Rock is truly a “City in a Park,” and appreciates the construction and renovation of numerous parks and community centers over the course of her tenure. She said: “Little Rock is a growing city that has a lot to offer, and I have had the pleasure to work in such a beautiful city for over 3/4ths of my life.”

Tom Carpenter, the City Attorney, hit the 40-year mark as a city employee last fall. His numerous honors include the Arkansas Municipal League’s Distinguished Service Award, the Golden Gavel Award from the Arkansas Bar Association, and Outstanding Contributions from a City Attorney by the International Municipal Lawyers Association.

As the City’s chief legal counsel and advisor to the Mayor and Board of Directors, Tom said he appreciates the opportunity to listen to residents and work to solve their problems. In addition, he said: “I am also pleased that the manner of hiring attorneys has changed so an attorney can have a complete career with the City, receive valuable compensation, and have done something to better the community in the process.”

I appreciate Lt. Thomas, Susie Matheny and Tom Carpenter for their decades of hard work for the City of Little Rock, and we are grateful to for their vast experience, knowledge and importance to our team.

Last week, our inaugural partnership with UA-Pulaski Tech culminated with a graduation ceremony for Little Rock Career Climb participants who earned a certificate in advanced manufacturing.

This rigorous, six-week training featured classroom instruction on a variety of topics, including robotics, hydraulics and blue prints. At the same time, participants earned valuable assistance with resumé writing and interviewing skills during this pilot apprenticeship program. Graduates gained OSHA certification and are job-ready.

The City of Little Rock provided wages to participants during the program and UAPTC covered tuition. We appreciate UAPTC and Chancellor Dr. Summer DeProw for what we hoping can be a successful, long-term partnership. Alongside our Summer Youth Employment Opportunity, this pilot was a catalyst for young men and women across the City as they prepare for the workforce. Through Career Climb, the City is helping youth navigate their career pathways through hands-on training, mentorship, and professional development.

Here’s a quick look at what’s going on this week in the City of Little Rock:

Tuesday, July 29: The Little Rock Board of Directors will set the agenda for its next regular meeting at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. All board meetings are open to the public, and all meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Tuesday, July 29: The Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority is hosting a series of public meetings regarding proposed rate changes for wastewater customers. A meeting is set for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St.

Saturday, Aug. 2: As a reminder, Little Rock Recycles Day is Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. If you missed the June event because of the inclement weather, be sure to stop by Saturday at the east parking lot of the Little Rock Zoo.