Macon-Bibb County is celebrating its crews in its Parks & Beautification, Public Works, & Solid Waste Departments as part of National Public Works Week, which is May 18-24 this year. All three departments are hosted luncheons for their crews on Thursday, May 22. They also had different opportunities for them throughout the week, such as breakfast, snacks, and games.

“These are the unsung heroes of our community,” said County Manager Dr. Keith Moffett. “We can always count on our crews to go above and beyond to get a job done. We really couldn’t do it without them.”

“We have a great team, and as always, are ready when needed. Public Works are the men and women who are always working through the night to clear the roadways when we have bad storms or spreading salt on our roadways when we have snow and ice,” said Public Works Director Tim Wilder. “I would like to say thank you to everyone at Public Works for the job they do each and every day.”

“Public Works week is a great way to celebrate and show thanks to all of our dedicated staff,” said Parks and Beautification Director Michael Glisson. “Our crews work hard every day doing a wide range of tasks from tree removal, grass cutting, park maintenance, and roadside clean ups. We are having a great year at parks and beautification and our staff deserves to celebrate our success.”

“With the new direction the Solid Waste Department has been provided, the ladies and gentlemen are true team players, flexible with tasks, and very hard working,” said Solid Waste Director Maurice Jackson. “The Convenience Centers and every task has been met with satisfaction, due to the hard work and dedication of our team. Though small, we are mighty in accomplishing big tasks.”

About National Public Works Week

*Source: American Public Works Association

This year’s theme, “People, Purpose, Presence,” highlights three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve in their communities every day. Meeting the needs of people is what gives public works its sense of purpose. Many times, public works professionals will never meet those whose lives have been impacted because when things are going right, no one knows that public works is there. Yet, with or without fanfare, public works is ever present, working in the background to advance quality of life for all.

National Public Works Week (NPWW) has ballooned in reach and impact across the decades. The number of participating municipalities continues to grow, which means the number of citizens educated on the importance and nature of public works grows. Across North America, APWA’s more than 32,000 members in the US and Canada use this week to raise awareness about the importance and criticality of public works in our daily lives: planning, building, managing and operating at the heart of their local communities to improve everyday quality of life.

Since 1960, APWA has sponsored NPWW the third week of May. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation describing public works as vitally important to our national health and welfare and praising the dedicated efforts of public works professionals. Further, “it is in the public interest for the citizens and civic leaders of this country to gain knowledge of and to maintain a progressive interest in the public works needs and programs of their respective communities,” the proclamation reads.

APWA encourages public works agencies and professionals to amplify their stories in their communities this NPWW by using our how-to guide and downloadable assets. The sentiments of JFK’s 1962 proclamation ring as true today as they did then. In fact, the occasion of NPWW continues to be marked each year with scores of resolutions and proclamations from mayors and governors.

Make 2025 the year that you take time to be the ambassador that public works needs to raise awareness and support for the essential work we do.