Page 26 - JF25 TPW web

PUBLIC WORKS SPOTLIGHT By Regina (Santana) Calvo-Arline
A Journey Through Public Works

Betsy White’s Story of Dedication, Service, and Family

Betsy White’s journey at the City of full-time meter reader.
Lebanon is one of perseverance, growth, Armed with a handheld device, White
and family. Her career, which began walked house-to-house to collect readings
in April of 1998, is a testament to how for water, gas, and electricity. It was a tough
hard work, dedication, and a sense of job, but she found humor and camaraderie
community can shape a successful and in the work. “One older meter reader gave
fulfilling professional life. everyone nicknames. Mine was ‘Loujack.’
When White first walked through I never knew why, but it always made me
the doors of the Public Works complex, smile,” she said.
she never imagined how her role would As a meter reader, White proved her
evolve. Starting as a guard, making just mettle, learning the ins and outs of the job,
$6 an hour, she quickly learned that including how to navigate tricky yards,
her journey in public service would be watch out for dogs, and sometimes work in
anything but ordinary. challenging conditions.
“My first day, the men were sitting on “I had a couple of scary things happen
the back dock, asking each other if I was that I know wouldn’t have happened to the
a new secretary. One man told them, ‘No! men, but I’ve got stories I could tell,” she
She’s the new guard.’ Another man said, laughed. “But overall, the guys I worked City of Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell congratulates White
on 25 years of service.
‘GUARD??’ Like I couldn’t hear them!” with were great. It was like a family. We all
White laughs, recalling how she was helped each other out.” “I have always been the knowledge
greeted by a mix of surprise and curiosity. Her journey continued with a promotion holder here,” White said. “If I don’t have
As a guard, White took on a variety of to a Utility Worker in the Water/Sewer the answer, I’ll find out and get back to you.
tasks, from monitoring the complex to Department, where White learned the I always want to make things easier for
dispatching after-hours calls for multiple skills needed to repair lines, fix leaks, and everyone.”
departments. operate heavy machinery, including the Her impact on the department goes
“I had no idea what I was getting into, backhoe. The challenges were many, but beyond her work. White always has
but every day I learned something new,” she tackled them head-on, even earning gone above and beyond to support her
she said. her CDL license. coworkers, her community, and the
One of the defining moments early in “I didn’t know anything about dump military. Brandy Powell, Utilities Executive
her career came shortly after she joined trucks, but I learned quickly,” she said. Administrative Assistant, describes her as a
Public Works when a tornado hit Lebanon. “The guys were shocked that I knew how to person with a heart of gold.
White’s quick thinking under pressure drive a stick shift. They didn’t believe me, “She does so much for her community
was evident as she dispatched on-call so I proved it.” and the military. She sends care packages
personnel from multiple departments With her CDL secured, White soon to the military at Christmas and checks on
while navigating a chaotic situation. was behind the wheel of a dump truck, a their families. She’s someone who makes
“The phones went crazy with trees role that, at the time, was uncommon for you feel important and thought of,” Powell
and lines down. I called out the on-call women. Her success in the field didn’t go said.
personnel for Electric and Street, and even unnoticed. “One time, we were making a Even in times of personal hardship,
had to call in someone to cut fallen trees. large water tap, and a man from another White’s compassion shines through.
I was cussed out for it, but the supervisor company said, ‘OHHH y’all believe in When a coworker’s husband suffered a
later came in and apologized,” she said. women’s rights.’ One of my coworkers said, heart attack, White was one of the first to
“That was a turning point for me,” White ‘No, we know she knows what she’s doing. offer help. “She provided food, checked
recalled. It was from this moment that she Betsy, make the tap.’ I was so grateful to in on him, and just made sure we all felt
began to earn the respect of her colleagues, him for saying that.” supported,” Powell said.
many of whom became her close friends. White’s growth continued as she moved White’s commitment to her family is
As time went on, White’s role expanded. into administrative roles. She became the equally inspiring. A mother of five, she
She filled in for various departments, secretary for Street and Sanitation, then always has worked hard to balance her
answering phones for the Gas and Water/ the Public Works Administrator’s assistant, career and family life, a challenge she faced
Sewer Departments and even helping with and later, the Sewer Administrator. In these with determination and love.
their secretarial duties. The experience positions, she became a go-to person for “Raising five kids while working full-
prepared her for the next step in her career information, always willing to help her time was tough, but I wouldn’t change
when the opportunity arose to become a coworkers and find solutions to problems. a thing,” she said. One of her sons is

26 TPW January/February 2025