by Keith Laing, The Brunswick News
There are those who say change is the only constant.
And then there is Ed Whittle.
In the time that Whittle, 58, has worked for Glynn County’s Public Works Department, six different department heads have come and gone.
However, at 36 years and counting, Whittle is Glynn County’s most tenured employee, having worked for the government since December 1969.
“Over (time), you meet new people and there are plenty of changes in who you deal with, but it’s a good challenge to do things differently (under different leadership),” he said.
Twenty-seven of Whittle’s years of service have been spent working as a dispatcher and administrative technician in public works. Whittle answers citizens’ calls and points them in the direction of the resolution they are seeking.
Before joining the department, he spent nine years registering county voters for the office that later became the board of elections.
Leaving has never been an option, Whittle said.
“Glynn County is a good place to work,” he said. “They’ve treated me just great. They’ve given me a good job and the opportunity to meet new people.”
Whittle said sometimes he wonders how the lives of people he’s met while working for the county have changed.
“I bet some of the people that I helped register to vote (have) children out in the work force now,” he said.
Either way, for Whittle, it’s meeting those people that’s made his job worth keeping all these years.
“I love dealing with people, and whether I was with voter registration or (public works), I’ve dealt with people,” he said.
Another perk is the varied nature of the work, Whittle added.
“Sometimes I have a phone or radio at my ear all day, and sometimes I’m doing paperwork all day,” he said. “Every day is different because my job depends on the needs of the customers.”
Acting public works director Jimmy Horton said in his 12 weeks on the job, he’s already seen Whittle’s penchant for meeting the needs of residents.
“Ed’s an outstanding employee,” Horton said. “He’s got a great rapport with the public. I could probably count the number of complaints I’ve received on Ed on one finger. He’s very courteous and has that natural talent to deal with folks.”
Horton, who’s worked with the county for 26 years himself, added that the very nature of Whittle’s job made that skill a must-have.
“A lot of folks are upset when they call,” he said. “He’s got a knack for soothing them and calming them down.”
Whittle’s presence is not just felt in the public works department. Glynn County Commissioner Cap Fendig said that Whittle has also been an invaluable aid to him.
“Ed is what I call the public relations guru for Glynn County, so I often check in with him to get a sense of what citizens are calling us about,” he said.
Fendig said he has regularly received updates from Whittle since he first sought office in 1998.
Upon reflection, Whittle said his service to the county has been worth it.
“It’s been enjoyable,” he said. “I have worked with a great group of people, and the citizens are great to work for.”
