Meet Ricky Dills!

On a Wednesday morning, he and crew member Andrew Anderson have already collected several tons of leaves in the Westwood neighborhood. The narrow, winding roads of this cozy residential enclave seem impossibly narrow, but Dills navigates them smoothly behind the wheel of the foot truck. 

The untrained eye can hardly distinguish between leaf-covered yards, ditches filled with leaves and piles of leaves intentionally raked to the curbs of Westwood residences. 

Dills easily sees the difference, pointing out the windrows that naturally collect leaves and will be vacuumed along with the neighbor-made piles. 

As Dills drives, Anderson manipulates the knuckle boom crane and vacuum attachment, swinging it in an easy rhythm that calls to mind an elephant's trunk. Dills praises the young man's touch for collecting the leaves effectively and efficiently. The operation requires a lot of teamwork, he explains, and an almost psychic kind of communication.

Anderson joined the City in July 2022. The 21-year-old Union County High School graduate says this job is the best he's ever had. Like Dills, he enjoys being outside. He has earned his learners' permit for his commercial drivers license. 

The young man's skill and enthusiasm is great news for Dills, who can retire in three years if he chooses to, as well as the Public Service administration. The department continues to hire new employees as experienced crew members like Dills look to retirement.