A career not wasted

By: ELIZABETH WEST Associate Editor After dedicating more than 30 years to the Evangeline Parish Solid Waste Commission James Berthelot, the first and only director the commission has known has retired. The commission was formed in 1985 and since its formation Berthelot has been director. Before becoming the director of the EP Solid Waste Commission Berthelot gave his time to Evangeline Parish students as an educator. After teaching for 10 years Berthelot was ready for a change which led him to the position he would hold for the rest of his career. When it came to getting the job as director Berthelot said there is someone who he will forever be grateful to for helping him out. “David Ortego was very instrumental in me getting the job I have now and I will always appreciate him for that,” Berthelot said. As director of the Solid Waste Commission Berthelot was in charge of over seeing the day to day operations of four dump sights throughout the parish as well as having limbs, branches, and trash picked up at the appropriate times. Berthelot said, “The type of business my office does is the limb and branch pick up throughout the parish.” Along with this task as the director Berthelot was to over see the 23 employees working with him. Berthelot thanked his secretary of 27 years Phyllis McGee for helping him keep things in order over the years. “My secretary keeps me in line and she knows the whole system after being here for so many years with me. She has done a lot,” Berthelot said. Along with former and current employees, the commissioners that make up the board of the EP Solid Waste Commission played a big part in Berthelot’s career. He added, “I have been fortunate to have a board of 13 commissioners that are really not political. Most public bodies worry about their own district first and then the rest of the parish but our board really worries about the whole parish.” Berthelot’s last year as director “has been very, very, hectic.” This was because they were preparing for a new company to come in with new trucks but since this change has taken place Berthelot said, “Things are now going very nice which is a relief. The phone calls have really stopped.” Even through hectic times like this Berthelot proudly said, “We have had a good audit every time.” As director, Berthelot stressed that one of the best qualities to have is “answering calls, returning calls and taking care of business quick. You always have to be available even on vacation.” He said, “I tell my bosses I am 24/7 so call me if you need. I have a loving wife that understood I was going to have to sleep with the phone by me so that I could make sure to answer any call no matter what time it is.” With a “very supportive family” Berthelot was able to spend his time as director doing his job to the best of his ability. This commitment to the job is what Berthelot said will be important for the next director to possess. “The next director has to be ready and willing to talk to the people at anytime.” When asked what advice he would give to the next director Berthelot’s response was, “Be patient, listen to what the people have to say, and respect the people from the communities.” Listening is something Berthelot said he has had to do a lot of as director. He says, “Sometimes the people just want to talk and you need to just hear them out. That is a big part of the job.” He continues by saying, “If you do your job, you will stay.” Now that his time for retirement has come Berthelot said he is looking forward to “spending time playing golf and hunting.” So much of Berthelot’s time has been given to his job so now he said he is “excited about spending time with his wife, kids, and grandchildren.” After an injury many years ago forced Berthelot to put down the golf clubs he now is beginning to play again and is excited about spending his time playing a lot, especially with his grandchildren. “At this point I am playing golf three days a week,” Berthelot said. As enjoyable as golf and hunting are Berthelot said he “is going to miss all of the great people he has been fortunate enough to work with over the years.” Berthelot officially retired on July 1 but his dedication and commitment to the EP Solid Waste Commission has not stopped as he continues to work a couple hours a day until the board fills the director position.