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City workers recognized for years of service

Thirteen employees of the City of Clintonville were honored for their years of service at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Employees who reached the five year milestone this year included Philip Tremper, Jamison Hein, Fawn Schultz, and Kyle Gruetzmacher; those reaching 10 years included Peggy Johnson and Steve Yaeger; reaching 15 years included Linda Monte and Matt Oreskovich; reaching 20 years included Joanie Miller, Karen Wegenke and Aaron Bilek; reaching 35 years included Terry Lorge, and reaching 40 years included Gerald Plumb.

The following information about each employee was read to the council by Mayor Judy Magee:

Philip Tremper – 5 years

Phil Tremper started working for the City of Clintonville on Sept. 19, 2008. He has worked in the Park and Recreation Department all five years as a Park and Recreation Laborer. His knowledge for building maintenance has proven to be beneficial in large to his experience gained from owning and operating his past cleaning business. On his time off he enjoys the outdoors, spending numerous hours fishing Wisconsin’s rivers and lakes.

Jamison Hein – 5 years

The past five years Jamie served the Library well bringing in new ideas and keeping the library abreast of new technology. He is respected by staff and patrons. Jamie started out working the front desk as a library tech then moved up to the Library assistant job. Now he is the library Director – not a bad climb in five years.

Fawn Schultz – 5 years

Fawn Schultz started working at the Clintonville City Hall as the Administrative Assistant on June 23, 2008 after graduating from NWTC with an Associate Degree in Accounting. Fawn is consistently the smiling face that greets you at City Hall and has proven to be definite asset in all her contributions to ensure our citizen satisfaction. Within our doors, even as we all place constant requests on her to assist us, she maintains her ability to be involved in livening up a conversation. Thank you Fawn for all you do.

Kyle Gruetzmacher – 5 years

Kyle started in the Water Department in October of 2008. He is not only a graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a Bachelor’s Degree, but also a Certified Water Operator. Being that the Water Department is a two-man show, Kyle has learned nearly everything necessary to keep our water system compliant and safe. He is the primary person who performs all the water sampling; manages all the water meter inventory, installation and paperwork; and performs the cross-connection compliance audits in addition to reading meters. He is a hard worker and has a no-nonsense attitude. Thank you, Kyle.

Peggy Johnson – 10 years

Peggy has been with the City for 10 years. She began as the Treasurer and in 2006 became the Clerk-Treasurer. She earned her Associate Degree in Accounting from FVTC. Peggy does a tremendous job overseeing elections, public records, payroll, accounts payables and receivables. Peggy is always helping us look for new sources of revenue which we appreciate. She is a top notch dedicated employee that is invaluable to the entire City.

Steve Yaeger – 10 years

Steve started working for the City of Clintonville in January of 2003 in the Park and Recreation Department. Soon afterwards, in May of the same year, Steve was hired into the Electric Department. He became an Apprentice Lineman and went on to earn his Journeyman’s card. Steve is a great asset to not only the Line Crew, but also serves as the Back-Up Electric Meter Technician and holds a Water Operator’s license. Steve is the maker of his own destiny and will go as far as he so desires. We would be honored if we could have another 10 years, and hopefully more, with Steve. Thank you.

Linda Monte – 15 years

Linda joined the Clintonville Police Department on June 16, 1998 as a part time Clerk-Dispatcher. She took a full time position with the Police Department on Sept. 3, 1999 as second shift Clerk-Dispatcher.

Previously, Linda had worked as a Communication Controller for Air Evac Services, Inc out of Phoenix, Arizona. Linda was responsible for coordinating Emergency Medical Services Helicopters, Planes and Jets for the busiest air medical program in the nation.

In May of 2004, Linda was honored with an Outstanding Service Medal for her actions during the active shooter/hostage situation that occurred in Clintonville on July 20, 2003. During that incident, Linda maintained communications with the officers on scene while summoning assistance and calling in off duty CPD officers, the SWAT team, and the Ambulance Service to get assistance for the officers on scene and aid to a gunshot victim. During that crisis, Linda dealt with calls from the media, Police, and EMS and maintained an open line of communications with the shooter until a SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator could arrive on scene and take over.

Linda continues to pursue education and training in the law enforcement field and has received ongoing training and certification in the areas of Emergency Telecommunications, Workplace Violence calls, Public Alert Warning Systems, Diversity Awareness, Incident Command Training, Response to Utility Emergencies, Tele-communicator In-Service, Community Planning, Effective Communications, and many others. Linda is a very valuable member of the Clintonville Police Department and an asset to the community.

Matt Oreskovich – 15 years

Matt is a firefighter with the Department and is affectionately known as “bull” by some of his co-workers because of his willingness to make forcible entry when required to help in fire suppression efforts. Matt’s work ethic on scene is held in high regard by his members and the Officer’s of the Fire Department.

Joanie Miller – 20 years

Joanie started working full time for the City as a second shift Clerk-Dispatcher for the Police Department in May of 1993.

This shift is the busiest and most demanding of all the Dispatch shifts on the Police Department. Joanie was always personable and courteous with the people she dealt with, even during stressful and traumatic times. She was able to keep her composure and handle multiple tasks and always stayed busy with records maintenance and other related duties in the Police Department.

Joanie transferred to her current position as Customer Service Representative for Clintonville Utilities in May of 1997, much to the disappointment of the Police Department, who would happily have her back at any time.

In her current position with the utilities, Joanie’s main tasks are entering customer payments, updating records for utility move-ins and move-outs, and addressing customer questions and concerns. As our front-line utility office employee, Joanie encounters difficult customers from time-to-time and always responds to the situation in an appropriate and tactful manner.

Joanie is well-known by many customers who ask for her by name when they stop in to visit as they make their monthly utility payments. Some would even consider her the “face of Clintonville Utilities.” Joanie goes above and beyond with her genuine concern for customers and we are lucky to have her on our team. Thanks to Joanie for her 20 years of hard work and dedication!

Karen Wegenke – 20 years

Karen joined the Clintonville Police Department as a full time Clerk-Dispatcher for third shift on May 3, 1993. Karen had come to us after working as a Co-Manager of Friendship Valley Farms, handling management and accounting responsibilities for a mega-farm operation. Previous to that, Karen had worked as a teaching assistant at St. Rose School and Longfellow Elementary. She had also worked as a teaching assistance in the Milwaukee area where she lived prior to moving to Clintonville. Karen is also a licensed foster parent for handicapped adults.

Karen works exclusively on the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift at the Police Department as a Clerk-Dispatcher. Karen has received training in Domestic Violence Intervention, Uniform Crime Reporting, Critical Incident training, Time System Operator training, Crisis Communications, and Tele-communicator In-service training. We are pleased to have Karen as an employee of the Clintonville Police Department.

Aaron Bilek – 20 years

Aaron Bilek is a Captain in the Department and has served in many capacities within the Fire Department in his experience and holds accommodations for life saving efforts and as of recent has dedicated countless hours to the Apparatus committee to ensure the largest purchases made by the City of Clintonville are best fitting the needs of the Clintonville Fire Department.

Terry Lorge – 35 years

Terry came to the Clintonville Police Department in 1978 after serving as a Police Officer and later as Chief of Police for the New Glarus Police Department in southwestern Wisconsin (1973-1978). Terry received his law enforcement certification through the Madison Police Academy and has obtained training and certifications through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, US Marshals, FBI, Fox Valley Technical College, Drug Enforcement Administration, Milwaukee Police, Blackhawk Technical College, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Terry served as a Police Officer, Firearms Instructor, and founding member of the Waupaca County SWAT Team where he served for 13 years until his promotion to Chief in 1996.

Terry also joined the newly formed Clintonville Area Ambulance Service in January of 1980 and served as a National Registry EMT for 14 years and was President and later Director for the Service for nine of those 14 years.

In August of 1990, Terry was promoted to the first Sergeant’s position for the Clintonville Police Department, serving as night shift supervisor.

In September of 1991, Terry was promoted to Administrative Lieutenant for the Clintonville Police Department, handling the administrative functions of the department while serving as second in command of the Clintonville Police Department.

In August of 1995, Terry and Patrol Lieutenant Beggs were appointed to serve as acting co-chiefs of the Police Department due to the abrupt resignation of the previous Chief.

In May of 1996, Terry was appointed to the position of Police Chief for the City of Clintonville where he continues to serve today. Terry is the eighth Police Chief for the City of Clintonville and has the longest tenure of any Chief to date.

Terry has voluntarily operated the Beat the Heat Youth Program in Clintonville since 1994, donating over 300 hours per year to the program. The annual Spring Cruise Car Show in the community was started by Terry and his wife as a means to support the program.

Gerald Plumb – 40 years

Gerry was hired June 18, 1973 as a mechanic/road grader operator from 1973 until 1985. He worked for Street Superintendent Elmer Anderson from 1973 until 1977.

After Elmer’s retirement Gerry work for Street Superintendent Jim Malueg from 1977 until 1990. Gerry became the heavy equipment operator in 1985 and continued in this capacity until 1994.

In 1990 the city hired Mike McCord as the Public Works Manager. In 1994 Gerry became the foreman/equipment operator.

Gerry has been an outstanding city employee, and has proven himself to be both professional and dependable in all aspects of public service. His ability to operate any and all equipment for road building, snow plowing, and storm damage has proved to be an invaluable resource for Clintonville.

Gerry has always provided a high level of service for his community and we have been very fortunate to have had such an employee. Thank you, Gerry, for a job well done.

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