Janet Reeves named Elaine Bisbee Award recipient in Lewes

Janet Reeves was surprised by Lewes Mayor and City Council March 14 as this year’s recipient of the Elaine Bisbee Award. 

The award is handed out each year to a city employee who displays dedication, dependability, reliability and excellent work habits, and who is team-oriented and committed to providing quality service. 

“What’s really special is that you’re nominated by your peers,” Reeves said the day after.

Nominations are considered and a winner is selected by mayor and city council.

The award's namesake, Elaine Bisbee, worked with city of Lewes for 35 years, working her way from secretary to city manager, a position she held for 22 years before retiring in March 2006.

Reeves serves as the city’s parks and marina administrator. She joined city staff in September of 2020. Since that time, the city designated Savannah Beach and Johnnie Walker Beach (formerly Beach 1 and 2) as city parks. Supervision of the lifeguards was also moved from the police department to the parks and marina department.

Before coming to city hall, Reeves worked in long-term care; however, she does have a master’s in public administration and a master’s in social work.

Although a lot of her experience was on-the-job training, she does credit Allison Kirk with helping her get up to speed. Kirk is now the facilities foreman, but held the parks and marina administrator job for about five years before Reeves.

“She really coached me through,” Reeves. “It was good to have her have my back.”

As part of the job, Reeves serves as the chair of the parks and recreation commission, guiding discussion among the 11 commissioners at each month’s meeting. She also serves as ex officio to the Lewes Public Art Committee.

Reeves received a standing ovation at the March 14 meeting. Mayor Ted Becker presented her with a certificate.

“Janet is an outstanding employee,” Becker said. “Through the COVID pandemic, she’s been willing to work with all the city committees, whether parks and rec, bike and ped or even Lewes In Bloom, and she’s done an outstanding job. She’s a wonderful example of someone who gets the job done.”