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John Smatusik Honored For 35 Years Of Service
By Lauren Puglisi
 | | --Photo By Lauren Puglisi Longtime employee of Jackson's Public Works Department John Smatusik III received a distinguished service award from Mayor Mark Seda last Thursday afternoon. |
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John Smatusik III stood proudly beside Mayor Mark Seda as he was presented with a distinguished service award from Jackson Township.
After 35 years with Jackson Township, Smatusik retired on February 14. He started working with Jackson's Public Works Department in 1973 to fill a temporary position.
"I started working only on weekends and as time passed the department foreman asked me to stay and I did," Smatusik said. "It does feel good today to be recognized for all of my hard work. I only retired a few months ago, a lot of times people aren't acknowledged for their work until after they have died."
Last Thursday, the Public Works conference room in Jackson was filled with employees who came to support Smatusik. It was an honor they believe he truly deserved.
Gail Brown, a night shift employee with the Public Works Department, said Smatusik is a good guy that is worthy of the award.
"Although we worked different shifts, John was known for being a cool guy that would do anything for you," Brown said. "It is good that Jackson is doing this again. It's been a while since I've seen a Public Works employee receive an award of recognition."
During the award ceremony, Seda said he appreciated Smatusik's long and hard work with the township.
"When one of our guys retires out, the least we can do is thank them for their time, and we do thank you so very much," Seda said.
Business Administrator Phil Del Turco and Councilman Scott Martin joined Seda in congratulating Smatusik.
"The Public Works employees are the backbone of our town. Jackson cannot function without them," Martin said.
Scott Sargent, a representative from the Transport Workers Union and a groundskeeper at the Jackson Public Works Department, also presented Smatusik with a letter of recognition from the union.
"Johnny has really done a lot for me and this letter also shows that the Transport Workers Union recognizes all that you've done for them as well," Sargent said.
While the Public Works employees celebrated, there was one topic of conversation that seemed to be on the tip of everyone's minds that day. And that was the concern of the department lacking a retirement health insurance plan.
According to Sargent, Public Works employees that work with the department for as long as 30 years still retire without health or dental benefits.
"There are people here that have worked for the Public Works Department for most of their lives and are now in their 70s that can't afford to retire because of they won't be able to receive health insurance," Sargent said. "A lot of people assume that we receive benefits after retirement because other township employees do but this has been an ongoing struggle within our department for years."
The man of the day, Smatusik said while he felt grateful for his award, he always hoped that eventually Public Works employees would be granted health care coverage following their retirement.
"I was very disappointed to find that I would not be receiving health benefits after my retirement. Luckily for me, my wife works within the Marlboro School District and receives a great plan that I am now covered on," Smatusik added.
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