career change

[bamabassman]

you read correctly gang, i am FINALLY changing jobs. starting may 7th, i will be employed with ETOWAH COUNTY ROAD DEPT. this is something i think will be my final job. i will still have the same retirement plan (alabama teachers retirement or RSA system).
as some
of oyu know, i have NOT enjoyed my 6 years working for the city where i am now. reasons? ok, there are 2 sets of brothers in the same dept, 3 sets of uncle and nephews, 2 sets of father and son. with only 20 or so guys in this dept there is a HUGE "good ol boy" attitude and it ain't what you know, it's who ya blow. for real. the dept head is on his way out in sept, or so he says. the mayor is in his 80's and will probably run again (been in office for over 12 yrs already). the place is run in the ground now. there aren't probably 3 trucks that would pass the ALDOT inspection. if oyu want a shovel....bring your own. i am NOT kidding either.
in the 6 years i have been here, we have NOT had ONE SAFETY meeting. NOT ONE! i had an oppertunity to get out and i am taking it. this is a hard choice i had to make. taking a bit of cut in pay to start out with. but i feel i'll recover it in 3 yrs or so.

there are a few of oyu here that know jsut how bad it has been for me working at this place. but we do what we have to do in order to survive.

i will now be working 4 10 hr days. and have a 3 day weekend EVERY WEEKEND. more paid holidays (12 i think) and 3 PERSONAL days which i can take at any time. accumilate vacation days quicker too. same medical benifits which is fantastic for us with lisa's medical issues. so lisa and i disscused this throughly and decided this, although a strain finacially, is the best choice for us in the long run.

so if i am not here as much monday through friday, oyu will understand. all i ask is for your prayers that this becomes as fruitfull as we pray it is.

ia m both excited and a bit concerned because at my age (50), jobs are not as easily attained as when i was 30,lol. but i am confindent that this will be ok.

just wante to let my brothers here to know what is going on with me when oyu see i am not here as often.
and please keep up the prayers for my sister in law ginger. she is going through the rough part of her therapy and chemo. she truly needs oyur prayers more than ever folks. thanks gang, i know i can ALWAYS count of oyu folks to help pull us through.

[bcklash]

Good luck John. Oyu will love the 4 day work week, Debi started working it about a year ago and loves it.

[WaffleJaw]

John,best of luck to you!..Change is always a scary thing, But its just as exciting as well.

Im currently researching a move like this myself.

[coldbasser]

best of Fortune John the one true constant in life is change

[nobass]

best of luck hope it works out for yoy. better people and better working conditions

[MississippiBoy]

Here's the best part he told me about.....he'll get to play with backhoes, graders, and bulldozers. I told him that sounds like every 6-year-old boy's dream job....

[nofearengineer]

Sounds like a seamless transition, John. That's the way to do it. I hope you like this new place a lot more.

[bassboogieman]

Do the road crew guar.......... er, supervisors really get to carry shotguns?



Sounds like you made an excellent move John. A 4-day work week is a great advantage, more fishing time, more time to do whatever you want and still get a full week's pay. Your benifits sound decent also. Biggest bennie is definitely getting away from a work situation you definitely were not happy with. Congrats on the move, better deal, less stress - all good chit right there.

[Jrob78]

Congratulations on your new opportunity John. Working conditions and the people you work with make all the difference in the world. It sounds like you've thought it out and are making the best decision. Good luck with your move.

[kennethdaysale]

Knock um out John!............Nepotism sucks.

[bassinbob]

Hey good for you John. Enjoy all that new fishing time.

[Bubba_Bruiser]

I was thinking of the same thing as Ken about the nepotism. An email toto the governor or like staff might be able to bust some of that crap up.

I worked 4 and 3 before and it is nice. Best of luck to you though and we will continue to keep your family in our prayers.

[joedog]

Sounds like a solid decision John.
Your family always has my prayers and bottom line John, you'll do great where ever you land and those who are lucky enough to recieve your efforts are very fortunate!
Small town politics is the definition of 'nepotism'.
Best of fortune and enjoy your three dayers!

[WatterBoy]

Good for you, bama! Hope it all goes great. Keep us posted.

[keithdog]

Thats really great news John. I know you've wanted out for quite some time. The cut in pay will be tough, but the reduction in stress will more than make up for it. Three years goes by quickly and you'll be so much happier about your situation too. It sounds like your old city department is pretty much a joke. God knows you would never have been happy there. Best wishes buddy.

[bamabassman]

thanks gang, i knew i could rely on ya'll to help me in this. from the bottom of my heart i thank you all.

[carolina-rig-01]

Congratulations John. I know how unhappy you were at the city and from the sounds of things I don't blame you. As you know I started a new job a few weeks back and it's never easy starting a new job but it's a good feeling when you know on your first day that it was a good move. Best of luck buddy!

[Bill M]

Good luck and hope you are happy, been a Toolmaker for 35 years and these days I hate it, to deep in to change now, so I gotta tuff it out till the end.