The Van Buren County Road Commission will honor its employees this week with their second annual Employee Appreciation Day.

Commission Managing Director Bret Witkowski tells us he started the event to show the staff he knows they have a hard job, and that it’s appreciated.

“For me, it’s important to acknowledge all the work that our employees do, especially those out in the field,” Witkowski said. “And sadly, we know all too much how dangerous it can be. We lost a life a little over a year ago, one of our employees. We try to make it a good day for our employees.”

Witkowski says if it’s snowing on Christmas eve, the plow drivers aren’t with their families. They’re plowing snow.

As part of Employee Appreciation Day, staff will be recognized for years of service, there will be lunch with local elected officials, and also a little fun.

“They have what’s called Rodeo, which is a driving course, which then the winner of this course then goes on to the state competition. So, it’s not just something we do, it’s across the state. Then we bring in our health providers and then they present to all the employees the different options.”

Among the employees being honored will be one with 45 years of service and one with 25 years.

Witkowski says the first Employee Appreciation Day, last year, went quite well, telling us the employees loved it. He’s looking forward to doing it again this Friday starting at noon.

The event will be held at the Van Buren County Road Commission garage in Lawrence and go for most of the day. However, if the road commission is needed to respond to a problem on the roads, the staff will spring into action.

The Van Buren County Road Commission has a total of 63 employees.