After 27 years of holding the position as Public Works Director for Harrisville City, Gene Bingham will hand over his mantle and retire. His valuable insight and knowledge will be passed onto Sean Lambert of Farr West. Lambert begins his new role as Public Works Director in June 2016. Mentorship has already begun with Lambert because of good relationships shared among the neighboring cities. Bingham assuredly tells us, “We are very fortunate to have Sean. I was keeping my fingers crossed that he would accept this challenge.”
Bingham certainly deserves great respect of citizens, not only in Harrisville, but surrounding cities such as Farr West, North Ogden, and Ogden, as well. His outstanding leadership and administrative skills have been refined, over the years, due to several opportunities for growth and change. There are many hats to wear with this position and Bingham quips that, “Sometimes I’ve been an engineer, an attorney, a marriage counselor, and an HR Specialist.”
To begin, Bingham grew up in western Weber County and after high school, he went onto college and worked to get his general education done. Afterward, he wanted to have a job with a future--something with good benefits in which he could grow into. “When I applied for this job, I lived in Harrisville. I had my direction in life and I was going for it. No question as to what I wanted. Dave Anderson was the mayor at the time and after 8 months he asked me to be the next Public Works Director.”
Bingham decided to look at North Ogden, who had people that kept a well-run city, for guidance and direction when making his decision to accept his new position. Bingham notes that, “If you want to be successful you look at people who are successful. You take their good qualities and put them into your own life. I had to not only build up this (Public Works) department but I had to dismantle it.”
Being a Public Works Director allowed Bingham to develop and progress. In simple terms he says, it was a “tailor-made job.” According to Bingham, there are many tasks to do within his job but the dynamics change daily. Taking care of roads, sewers, storm drains, city infrastructure, and personal management may all be in a days’ work. “I like to be involved with the future direction of the city on any planning. There are benefits to a smaller city because I like to have the opportunity to learn, but the downside is I’m on 24/7.”
Bingham is regularly anticipating problems before they occur. “I am always trying to keep one step ahead. The last thing I want is a call from a citizen. I can tell you what needs to be done before it needs to be done.”
Challenges to being Public Works Director for Bingham came when the growth of the city and development surged in the 90’s among the neighborhoods. “Maintaining structure was very difficult. We went from a bedroom community to urban overnight.”
As a department head and boss, Bingham felt he needed to set a good example such as always being early, never late. He knew others were watching him. In Bingham’s wise words he says, “When you make a decision with this job you always ask yourself what’s in the best interest of the city—not what’s in the best interest for yourself.”
With retirement on the horizon, Gene knows what his plans are. “I want to spend more time with my wife and family. I have neglected them, to some extent, but I have the opportunity and good health, now to make up for it.”
Mayor Richins, of Harrisville City, describes Bingham with having honesty and integrity. He tells us of a time, when on Christmas Day two years ago, he took photos of the park and how peaceful it was. He thanked the Public Works employees for all their efforts to clear the parking lot. Richins says, “Little did I know that Gene Bingham was the one who had plowed so all the young dads could be home with their families on Christmas morning.”
