Town recognizes her service with reception, resolution
Tryon Water Plant Supervisor Betty Jones has decided to retire after working with the town for 25 years.
Jones is the town’s water expert, having worked at the town’s original water plant that used mountain water, the former plant that brought Lake Lanier on as the town’s source in 1988 and the recently completed rehabilitated plant that is able to use both sources.
Tryon employees joined Jones during a reception in her honor Tuesday, Sept. 13. The town presented Jones with a resolution approved by town council that recognized her service.
Her last day of work was yesterday, Thursday, Sept. 15.
Jones began her employment in Tryon on Jan. 14, 1987 and was promoted to water plant supervisor in 1991.
“Betty Jones has performed her jobs with the Town of Tryon’s water system with skill and dedication, facing difficult times of severe drought, overseeing development of Tryon’s multi-tiered emergency drought response and conservation plan and coordinating major projects and upgrades for the town’s water plant,” states the town’s resolution.
During her career, Jones earned many certifications and participated in numerous professional organizations. She also assisted the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) on numerous occasions teaching classes on water treatment as well as assisted several neighboring communities with their water treatment facilities.
Town officials credit Jones’ guidance for the town being awarded the 2008 North Carolina Safe Drinking Water Act Excellence Award for medium size surface water systems by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the North Carolina Chapter of the American Water Works Association and the North Carolina Water Environment Association.
Jones said her retirement is bittersweet as she is ready to retire from the work, but will miss the people.
“I won’t necessarily miss the job,” she said, “but I will miss the people.”
Jones plans to spend more time with her family after retiring.
Greg McCool will take over as the town’s new operator in charge at the water plant.