WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) - Judy Rice operated the first modern computer in the City-County Building. Karen Grimes remembers when women were not permitted to wear slacks to work. Barb Janetski said it was an acceptable practice to terminate a woman’s job if she got married.
It might sound like the Dark Ages, but those are some of the early memories of three Wheeling city employees who mark 50 years on the job this year. They have shared the same elevators, walked the same halls and continue to enjoy a friendship they liken to a sisterhood. None of them has immediate plans to retire.
Janetski, 70, began her work duties at the City-County Building switchboard, something obsolete today. She also had various secretarial positions with the city including stints as secretary for the then-Elby’s Distance Race and the Human Rights Commission among others. She has spent the longest number of years as the right-hand woman in the Recreation Department alongside soon-to-retire recreation director Tom Bechtel and Gene Ammirante. Together they expanded and have maintained a recreation department that sees multiple generations of youngsters enjoy the activities offered by the city. She remains in that post today. She also worked with Frank Rodriguez, civic center manager, whose office was in the Recreation Department while the Wheeling Civic Center (WesBanco Arena) was under construction.
“We really are like sisters. We do things together outside of work. We have bowled together, were in minstrel shows at the Capitol and we were even bicentennial belles during that celebration .. That tells you how long we’ve been around,” Janetski said.
As for the recreation department, Janetski has seen generations of seasonal workers come through the doors. For years, the recreation department was located in the basement of the City-County Building. A storage closet actually had a dirt floor. Despite it’s close quarters, the department churned out tons of recreation schedules and provided summer employment for hundreds of kids at city-owned pools and playgrounds. She said her first paycheck totaled $85 for two weeks work.
“That wasn’t bad money for the time,” Janetski said. “Every job was a great experience and working with each director and solicitor was a pleasure. I gained so much knowledge over the years with all the added positions.”
Bechtel, who has 44 years in the department, quipped that Janetski “was the best boss I ever had.” He said she is a good sport having dealt with all kinds of situations over the years. “I couldn’t do it without her.”
Grimes, 69, said she began her duties with the city in the water department posting bills. She moved on to work in the city manager’s office. She, too, had a hand in the development of the civic center, as she was tasked with checking signatures on petitions regarding the civic center issue before voters. Grimes also spent seven years in the city planning office, now known as the development department.
In 1975, Grimes became the second female civilian worker in the Wheeling Police Department. Only the jail had another female matron on staff, she recalled.
Since taking their first steps into city employment, Grimes, Janetski and Rice have watched 12 city managers come and go, saw the first black council member - Clyde Thomas - elected as well as the first female mayor - Stella Koerner. She also recalled her first paycheck was $95 for two weeks work.
“They (city managers) didn’t last long, maybe two years, when we first started. Most of the city managers worked in planning and just moved down the hall into the manager’s office,” Grimes noted.
As secretary for the Wheeling Police Department, Grimes has worked with seven chiefs since 1975. She said Ed Weithe spent the most time as chief with 17 years at the helm. When asked who was her favorite, Grimes said, “They all had their strengths.”
Diplomacy is one of her greatest strengths, according to those around her. Chief Shawn Schwertfeger will attest to that.
“Karen and I communicated even before I started. My whole transition was a lot easier thanks to her. She’s just that kind of person, Schwertfeger said.
The chief said Grimes handles many internal processes in the police department. “She knows everyone and everything. I’m very grateful to have her . she is someone who is irreplaceable.”
Grimes said she’s excited about the plans for a new safety force building if voters approve a bond levy measure toward the end on Nov. 6. She plans to stick around to see it through.
Rice, the youngest of the three at 68, also began her employment in the water department office where she said did billing. She said the first computer in the building was placed in the water department and she was first to operate it. Later she moved on to duties in the finance office where she worked as a bookkeeper. She said another woman completed the city payroll by hand. “She handed out every check, too,” Rice said.
She recalls receiving $128 for two weeks pay. Rice said over the years with so many people coming and going in city jobs, there was always a fun, family-type atmosphere. She recalled Halloween parties and other holiday parties where all departments mingled and had fun. Rice said after all the years, she and the other two women earn four weeks vacation per year.
“These have been good jobs,” Rice said. “We’ve had a lot of fun times here.”
All of the women said they enjoy their work although they would one day like to retire. However, as non-uniformed city workers, they have not been afforded the same benefits as police and fire or administrators over the years. They attribute that to lack of leadership among the non-uniformed workers to fight for better benefits in Charleston.
Their classification set by the state freezes their pension earnings after 35 years of service.
The most they can earn toward their pension is 70 percent of their pay at 35 years, they explained. In other words, the past 15 years of employment do not count toward their pensions.
Janetski said she has written letters to elected officials in the state urging change in the pension plan for the non-uniformed workers, but has not received any feedback.
“Everyone has the right to retire with a decent wage. That’s all we are asking for,” she said.
City Manager Robert Herron said all three women have an excellent work ethic, something he appreciates in an employee.
“I know all three of them. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them for 16 and 1/2 years. Even though they have achieved the 50-year mark, they all three are still very productive city employees. I know what their work ethic is and it’s solid.”
He acknowledged that the current city council has made it a priority to address the wage and benefit concerns of the municipal workers. “They are trying to figure it out,” he said.
Until then, none of the ladies have circled a retirement date on any particular calendar year.
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Information from: The Intelligencer, http://www.theintelligencer.net
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