Dennis “Buck” Saunders
The city of Chattanooga and Department of Public Works are recognizing a 50-year-veteran and supervisor of the department, Dennis “Buck” Saunders, for receiving two professional achievement awards. At the Tennessee Municipal League State Conference, Mr. Saunders was awarded the Murphy Snoderly Award, an annual award presented to an outstanding field employee in a municipal public works department in Tennessee. Mr. Saunders was also awarded the City of Chattanooga Public Works Department Employee of the Year.
Mr. Saunders is a supervisor in the Sewer Maintenance Section of the Waste Resources Division and is a 50-year veteran of the Department of Public Works. He began his career with the city of Chattanooga in 1964 after military service in Vietnam. Mr. Saunders exemplifies what it means to be a public servant, continually impacting his co-workers and managers with his work ethic and motivation to help others, said officials.
When Mr. Saunders reached the 50-year milestone as a city employee, Mayor Andy Berke proclaimed Nov. 11, 2014, as Buck Saunders, Jr. Appreciation Day, noting that “Buck has been a loyal employee of the city and goes above and beyond what is asked of him.”
Mr. Saunders comes from a long lineage of public service. His father, Dennis Saunders, Sr., also worked for the city of Chattanooga for 50 years from 1934-1984 as a garbage man. From a young age, Mr. Saunders remembers going often with his father to work and riding in a horse-drawn buggy while helping his dad pick up garbage.
Working in Chattanooga’s sewers is not easy or glamorous work, but if you have the chance to meet MR. Saunders, you would never know. Even though the physical and mental challenges of the job can be difficult, all everyone else sees is a big smile, a friendly handshake and a pat on the back from “Mr. Buck.” Then he gets to work making sure customers’ problems are solved as quickly and efficiently as possible, said officials.
The city of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Chapter of the American Public Works Association is proud to honor Buck Saunders and is appreciative for his 50 years of service, said officials.