3,000 days of perfect attendance

James Owen was celebrated for having 3,000 days of perfect attendance at KCW. Photo submitted.
Mary Beth Sallee
Reporter, Hart Co. News-Herald
Between sickness, family obligations, and unexpected emergencies, it is no easy feat to earn perfect attendance anywhere, much less at work.
But James “Jimmy” Owens has done just that – for 3,000 days to be exact.
March 17 was declared James Owens Day in Hart County to celebrate Owens’ 3,000 consecutive days of perfect attendance at Kentucky Chrome Works (KCW) in Horse Cave.
Judge/Executive Joe Choate and Horse Cave Mayor Randall Curry decreed the day with a proclamation. They were also joined by Hart County Jailer Israel Bergenson.
“KCW implemented its Perfect Attendance Award program over eight years ago,” Bob Biltz, KCW VP-Managing Director, wrote on the KCW Facebook page3. “Over that time, KCW has awarded over $125,000 (for attendance) and $15,000 of that went to Jimmy. Prior to her retirement, Patty Pruitt also had perfect attendance from the start of the program.”
For every consecutive pay period of perfect attendance at KCW, $50 is awarded. Miss a day or miss an hour, and the clock resets to zero. Owens’ 3,000 days equaled 600 weeks, which in turn equaled to 300 pay periods. Take the 300 pay periods at $50 each, and that totaled $15,000 for Owens.
“In addition to Judge Choate’s proclamation, Jimmy received a special bonus of $300, a new hat, a new shirt…and a splendid cake from Sweetheart Bakery in Glasgow,” Biltz continued. “Jimmy now goes by the moniker of Mr. 3000.”
The event for Owens was hosted by Biltz and organized by KCW HR Manager Ronnadeane Bertram.

James Owens, center, was celebrated with a proclamation in his honor. He was joined by Mayor Randall Curry and Judge/Executive Joe Choate. Photo submitted.

For every consecutive pay period of perfect attendance at KCW, $50 is awarded. With 3,000 days of perfect attendance, James Owen has earned $15,000. Photo submitted.