Family, co-workers surprised Anthony at award ceremony

As Sidney City Clerk Geri Anthony received the 2015 Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award in Kearney last week, she turned to hug Cindy Heilbrun, the deputy city clerk.

"And Cindy said, 'Geri, turn around. Turn around.' and I said, 'Huh,' " Anthony recalled from her office at city hall on Monday. "So she turned me around, and my husband was standing right there; and my two sons and their wives; and [Sidney City Manager] Gary Person; the police chief; and Todd Von Seggern, the park superintendent; and Todd Sukup."

While the prize was a surprise to Anthony, Heilbrun had been working behind to scenes to assemble co-workers and family members for the presentation.

The award was presented by the Nebraska Municipal Clerks' Association at a ceremony on Thursday night, near the end of a week-long training session. Anthony was there for three days to renew her certification.

Person said the clerks' association seeks nominations each year, which are then evaluated by a selection review committee.

"And they just work through the process," he explained. "They then hold it as a very close secret."

Anthony said she knew she had been nominated because she was asked to complete a questionnaire.

"But until that night, when they announce it, you're pretty much kept in the dark," she said.

The award is handed out in three categories: first-class cities, which include primary metropolitan cities; second-class cities, which are smaller in population; and villages.

The village and second-class cities were presented first.

"And then when they were done with that, it was time for the first-class city," Anthony said. "They started talking, trying to very tactfully go through your resume without giving the real gist of it until the end."

Anthony said she was surprised and honored by the award.

"Everybody should be able to feel what that felt like," she said. "It was so cool."

Anthony has been employed with the city for 49 consecutive years – longer than anyone else in any position. Her tenure began in 1966.

"I was going to school at the Sidney Business Institute, which isn't there anymore, and they asked if I'd like a part-time job because the City of Sidney was looking for a secretary," she said. "So I came and worked part-time for a few months, then I went full-time," Anthony explained before adding with a laugh, "and I've never left."

After 15 years working various positions, she was offered the city clerk position in 1981.

Person lauded Anthony with praise.

"There are 531 municipalities in the state of Nebraska," he said. "And everyone of them have a city clerk. You're talking about a large, large group of clerk public officials across the state of Nebraska. To be recognized from that – that's a lot of people from which to consider – it just speaks volumes."

He said she does her job graciously and is very deserving of the award.

"She is the very best, she absolutely is," he added. "To be so well though of by her peers – she truly is deserving of the honor. I think everybody who has ever worked with her, or she's served under – city council members – would say the same thing."

Last week's ceremony marks the second time in her career Anthony has won the prestigious award.

"Years and years ago she also won it, so this her second time," Person said. "It's really unusual to honor someone twice. It shows the great respect her peers have for her."