Commissioner Message


During this time of year we look back and just see what our challenges have been – I think our department has had our share with the economy as it is. For me the holiday season is all about family – enjoying your family and kindly getting away from the day to day. Seeing the expressions of kids on Christmas morning is something I cherish. If you stop and think about it, we spend an enormous amount of time away from our families. As I reflect on this year, there’s nothing that stands out more than the dedication of our employees. During the high months of unemployment when we had employees working seven days a week and on holidays – that did not go unnoticed. We have a lot of employees in this department who take extra steps when people have problems. The individuals who receive those telephone calls are really important to our department. They take those calls like it was something personal to them, and they guide the callers through the system. I can’t tell you how many individuals have really been concerned about having money for this holiday season, and our Employment Security division has really stepped up in helping everyone with their unemployment. Our IT division did an amazing job implementing those rules and setting it up to where individuals can file their claims. It was extremely important to me to assist everyone out of work to receive checks before the holidays, and together we made that happen. We have many different programs that have touched people’s lives this year, such as Workers’ Compensation, safety issues with Occupational Safety and Health, individuals getting the highest number of GEDs ever, and people being retrained to enable them to explore new employment opportunities. The number of CRC certificates this year exceeded our goals because this is an avenue for individuals to maintain credits toward new employment possibilities, and this training can never be taken away from them. There are too many instances to mention now, and the outstanding work of our staff members is second to none. I appreciate everyone’s efforts and can-do attitude in getting the job done. As we enjoy and celebrate the holiday season with our families and friends, let’s keep in mind those who are less fortunate and give thanks that things are as well as they are for us. Have a great holiday, and be safe.

During this time of year we look back and just see what our challenges have been – I think our department has had our share with the economy as it is. For me the holiday season is all about family – enjoying your family and kindly getting away from the day to day. Seeing the expressions of kids on Christmas morning is something I cherish. If you stop and think about it, we spend an enormous amount of time away from our families.

As I reflect on this year, there’s nothing that stands out more than the dedication of our employees. During the high months of unemployment when we had employees working seven days a week and on holidays – that did not go unnoticed. We have a lot of employees in this department who take extra steps when people have problems. The individuals who receive those telephone calls are really important to our department. They take those calls like it was something personal to them, and they guide the callers through the system. I can’t tell you how many individuals have really been concerned about having money for this holiday season, and our Employment Security division has really stepped up in helping everyone with their unemployment. Our IT division did an amazing job implementing those rules and setting it up to where individuals can file their claims. It was extremely important to me to assist everyone out of work to receive checks before the holidays, and together we made that happen.

We have many different programs that have touched people’s lives this year, such as Workers’ Compensation, safety issues with Occupational Safety and Health, individuals getting the highest number of GEDs ever, and people being retrained to enable them to explore new employment opportunities. The number of CRC certificates this year exceeded our goals because this is an avenue for individuals to maintain credits toward new employment possibilities, and this training can never be taken away from them. There are too many instances to mention now, and the outstanding work of our staff members is second to none. I appreciate everyone’s efforts and can-do attitude in getting the job done.

As we enjoy and celebrate the holiday season with our families and friends, let’s keep in mind those who are less fortunate and give thanks that things are as well as they are for us. Have a great holiday, and be safe.