Thurston County celebrated National Public Works Week with various activities, expressing appreciation for their dedicated public works staff. The week served as an opportunity to highlight the significant contributions of the professionals, who maintain safe roads and clean water supplies, ensure that utilities function correctly, and keep public spaces well-maintained.

The celebrations began on Monday, May 22, with banners honoring Public Works Week displayed at county facilities, serving as a visual testament to the commitment of public works professionals.

On Tuesday, May 23, the Board of County Commissioners appointed Matt Unzelman as the new County Engineer. Congratulations, Matt! In this role, Unzelman will oversee the maintenance and repair of roads and bridges and coordinate with other Public Works divisions on essential projects to enhance services for Thurston County residents.

On Wednesday, May 24, the Solid Waste Division staff at the Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) enjoyed a grab-and-go breakfast.

The Thurston County ROADeo event took place on Thursday, May 25. The public works staff was joined by Thurston County leadership, including Commissioner Carolina Mejia, County Manager Ramiro Chavez, and Assistant County Manager Robert Gelder, whom all took part in the festivities. The road operations crew showcased their skills by maneuvering machinery through obstacle courses. An amateur pick-up plow course was open to all staff, and 37 people signed up! The winners will be announced the week of May 29.

This week was a fantastic display of pride and unity among the Thurston County Public Works staff.