Rotary Club of Abbeville thanks public servants

For those who go into public service, most don’t ever expect to hear a thank you.
However, a thank you is always nice.
Public servants in Vermilion Parish received a big thank you on Wednesday, when the Rotary Club of Abbeville held its annual Public Servant Day.
Rotary Club members prepared and served meals to employees from the City of Abbeville, the Abbeville Fire Department, the Abbeville Police Department and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office. Along with some good food, the club also presented awards to individuals from each of those entities.
“We recognize public service each year with awards to individuals in our community,” Rotary Club President Chris Duhon said. “Two years ago, we began recognizing multiple people. We used to have one from the entire community. We realize that it takes more than just one person.
“We have so many people, who go above and beyond, providing services to the community.”
This year’s honorees include:
• Abbeville City Hall - Maxia Hutchinson
• Abbeville Public Works - Eldridge Harrison
• Abbeville Fire Department - Shane Stout
• Abbeville Police Department - Trent Guidry
•Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office - Anthony Frederick
Frederick, a deputy with the VPSO, offered a round of thanks.
“If it wasn’t for the sheriff,” Frederick said, “I wouldn’t be able to do my job. Thank you to my girlfriend and my little boy. Without their support, I wouldn’t be able to do this either.”
“Thank you for this award.”
Abbeville Chief of Police William Spearman said Sgt. Guidry is extremely deserving of his award.
“Whenever we give Sgt. Guidry something to do,” Spearman said, “he goes above and beyond in doing it.
“He has done quite a bit for our department.”
Guidry said he is simply doing his part for the team.
“It’s all teamwork,” Guidry said.
Stout has been a member of the team at the Abbeville Fire Department since 2016. Assistant Fire Chief Kelly Mire said it is an honor to have Stout as the selection, because there are so many in the department worth honoring.
“We have a lot of people with the (same) integrity and drive that Firefighter 1st Class Shane Stout does,” Mire said. “Abbeville is a special place, and we are blessed with a lot of great firefighters. Shane does hold a special place and is well-deserving.”
Stout said he appreciates what this award means.
“I am very humbled and honored,” Stout said. “I love firefighting. I am grateful that I can serve in the city where I was raised and live.”
“I want to thank Chief (Jude) Mire, Assistant Chief Kelly and the great team that we have.”
Hutchinson enjoys being part of the team at city hall.
“Thank you very much,” Hutchinson said of the award. “I am very honored.”
“It is my pleasure to serve at city hall.”
To find out what Hutchinson means to the team at city hall, just ask Kathy Faulk.
“She came to us three years ago,” said Faulk, who serves as Abbeville’s City Clerk-Treasurer. “She had retired from a career in education. We’re just so blessed to have her, and that she chose us to work for.”
“She is reliable, dependable and a good friend of ours.”
Abbeville Public Works Director Clay Menard said you can look no further than Harrison when it comes to dependability.
“He came to work for us in August of ‘19,” Menard said of Harrison. “He hit the ground running. No matter what the job is, repairing equipment to digging a ditch or assisting another department, he does it, no matter what time of the day. All you have to do is call him. He exemplifies a perfect employee.”
“Eldridge Harrison takes care of his job.”
Again, Duhon said the Rotary Club is extremely grateful to everyone who helps take care of the community.
“It’s service above self,” Duhon said, “even if it is what we do for a living. It’s something you get back, tenfold.”
“I want to thank everyone for their service.”