By Susan Kemph in Human Resources

Thomas Jefferson said, “Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.”  Public service often feels like we are doing our jobs in a fishbowl, where everything we do or don’t do or do right or do wrong is noticed publicly and can affect the health, safety, and well-being of thousands.  It’s tricky in the best of circumstances, but it’s also exhilarating when we rise to such challenges as recession, natural disaster, and pandemic to serve, protect, provide for, and care for our citizens.  

Working in public service requires the resilience to pivot when changes occur, the forethought to prepare for and react quickly to disasters of all kinds, and the integrity to “do the right thing, even when no one is watching” (C. S. Lewis).  It is in public service that you will find the highest concentration of professionals with these often-rare qualities.   

May 3 through 9 is Public Service Recognition Week, a time set aside to recognize and honor all of the public servants who provide the best public services at the local, state, and national level.  It’s also a time to connect you, the citizens of St. Charles, with your government and the folks that serve you.   

As your public servants, we are grateful for the opportunity to do the important work of public service and serve you with integrity and pride.  We hope you will take a few moments of gratitude for all of the public servants in all areas of government who have shaped and continue to shape our community into the amazing place we all treasure.  If you are moved, we welcome you to our Facebook and Twitter community to share those thoughts and experiences of gratitude, as many public servants miss the opportunity to connect with the citizens they serve but are inspired and motivated by the impact they can have. 

We wanted to share some of the reasons why we serve. Watch here.

To all those in public service, THANK YOU!