By Kat Lucas
Just after 7 a.m., Maintenance Supervisor Yvonne Quarterman and 27 Chatham County Public Works employees find a seat in front of a VCR. Safety meetings take place the first Wednesday of each month. A superintendent pops in a video and reiterates the importance of work safety at their yard waste facility located on Sallie Mood Drive. In a room full of men wearing dirty jumpsuits and orange safety vests, Quarterman sits on the side in a brown polo, khakis and steel-toed shoes.
By the time the meeting is over, nearly 90 tons of yard waste is ground into mulch just 100 yards away. Spring is the busiest time for public works employees, a time when residents rid their lawns of dead branches and debris in preparation for the season.
Yard waste is Quarterman’s livelihood. As a divorced, single mother of three children and breast cancer survivor, she has dealt with her fair share of hardship. Quarterman depends on the 35,000 tons of yard waste produced each year in Chatham County. That’s equivalent to over 17,000 Honda Civic sedans.
Approaching her 13th year with Chatham County Public Works, Quarterman started off as a dump driver. Her commitment and leadership earned her the position she has now as maintenance supervisor.
Quarterman arrives at work at 7 a.m. each day. She checks in employees, facilitates routes and makes sure everyone has completed the safety inspection for the trucks before they head out. A Bible sits on the dashboard of her pickup truck, which she drives from site to site, as she is needed.
On the way back from a site at a Skidaway Island gated community, her walkie-talkie beeps with a request for help from one of the 24 drivers she oversees.
“Copy. One-twenty-four to one-thirty,” she identifies her truck number to a co-worker who needs a hand at a site a few miles away. “I’ll check it out. Over”
According to Quarterman, yard waste collection is not as mundane as it may seem. She truly loves her job as both a co-worker and a leader.
“It’s just like a family away from your family,” said Quarterman. “I don’t come through those gates just to be a slacker. I’m here to be a leader. Wherever I can lead someone else to doing better, that makes me feel good.”
As Quarterman pulls up to a residential cul-de-sac, she pulls on her safety vest and gloves. The compactor truck thunders as her co-workers throw piles of branches into the back. Quarterman steps in and lends a hand, demonstrating the teamwork she speaks so emphatically about.
“We always try to help each other out as much as possible. It makes the day go smoother,” Quarterman said. “Everyone can complete their route and go home happy.”
From collecting waste to battling cancer, Quarterman’s positivity and appreciative nature have endured.
“I thank God for this job,” Quarterman said. “When I had my breast cancer, they paid for my surgery and I didn’t really have to come out of my pocket with a huge amount of money. It was a tremendous blessing.”
Quarterman is in remission and striving to advance in her field.
“I’ve been through a lot,” said Quarterman. “To be able to come back and function and still maintain my job duties, I thank God for where I am today.”
She is currently enrolled at Savannah Technical College, where she studies management and supervising. After she graduates in a year and a half, Quarterman hopes to continue climbing the management ladder.
For now, Quarterman is happily working with her team five days out of the week and even on most holidays.
“Yard waste doesn’t go away. It’s always increasing.” said Quarterman. “Whenever we have to work a holiday, we’re always willing to do it. We don’t complain and we get the work done. That’s what we’re here for.”
