If you’ve heard Jason Hammiel’s story, you know why he walks with a smile and purposeful stride. He couldn’t be prouder to be one of dozens of crew members who keep Charlotte’s streets and neighborhoods clean. But his path to employment with city, and everything he’s accomplished since, have made him man of gratitude and a firm believer in second chances.
In this edition of Behind the Crown, Hammiel shows us what it’s like to sweep the streets of Uptown for a day and shares his story of perseverance.
Behind the Crown highlights the people who keep the City of Charlotte running. If you’re interested in starting or extending a career in public service, explore opportunities with the City of Charlotte on our jobs board:
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Can I give it to you all the way through Or you just want me to break it down Some because I got a story to tell [Music] My journey to the city of Charlotte is Somewhat bizarre but It has a lot of Grace in my story my Name is Jason Eugene hamiel and I'm an SEO driver uh three for the seat of Charlotte I once was Incarcerated for some crimes that I Committed But I remember one day Bagley I was Standing with my older sister and she Told me to go to Good Work Staffing they Um have jobs for the city of Charlotte So one day I went and I turned in my Resume and they told me they would give Me a call back in two days I said not Ain't gonna give me a call back because I've been through this before so I'm Thinking it's going to be hard for me to Find a job because I had a record and a background it's a Long story short Two days later I got a call that that I'll be coming with the city of Charlotte I started 10 years ago as a Temp I was a team for the city of Charlotte for 10 months I did various Positions like yard waste bulky Collection garbage and also book bags at The compost once I was hot on permanent
I I started out in Yahweh it's been a Equipment operator operating a Railroader as in a garbage truck next I Became a sweeper driver And where the sweeper driver is we go Around the city we have a street map Telling us where to go through after Corridor Charlotte what I do is I sweep Debris Um that's along the street that causes Road hazards He go to my church I've done bulky items like I said on Mattresses household items I've done Y'all waste debris on limbs trees uh I've also done garbage pickup And like I said I've done barricades too Which we do that in a cargo truck you do Barricades for like accidents um events To close down roads and streets and Stuff like that I've done little picking out of a pickup Truck Like picking up trash and debris with With the uh actually using one of these Sticks right here then you have a bag And you put it in a bag and tie them up And wait for a garbage truck somebody Come pick it up the feeling that I get When I'm cleaning things I mean it's a Good feeling to know that I've been able To do my job and do it safe and do it Productively I've had a lot of jobs but This job has been a blessing to me and
Even with that this job has good benefit It has good people when I say good Benefits I've been able I just closed on The house so they have a home buying Process that I went through and another Thing that I've always wanted to do is Get my high school diploma they have a High school diploma class that you can Go through so I was able to be blessed To go through Central Piedmont and they Partnered up with the city of Charlotte And next I've also did like six months Of college courses through um business Management I have no problem going back In my past because my past is just my Past so I've learned how to cry move on And keep on moving Mike when you have a Destiny or a goal in life you either Gonna go towards that goal or towards That Destiny or you're going to let it Push you farther behind I just give God The praise I'm in the glory for where I've been and for where I'm going and For allowing him to allow me to have the Grace and continue to move forward I Take everything as a stepping stone to Keep on moving [Music]
Charlotte North Carolina – A Small-Town Feel
Events, Life, Sports, Weather, News
As one of the largest cities in the state Charlotte has all the amenities you expect from a big city. But it still has a small-town feel where you are greeted by familiar faces when you go out to shop or grab a drink. The community is proud of the city they call home and it shows in how they treat each other.
Charlotte is a major banking industry center and is also well known for its professional sports teams. The Carolina Panthers of the NFL, the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA and the Charlotte Knights of MiLB all call the city home.
Springtime is a beautiful time to be in Charlotte with the blooming flowers and sunny weather, and summer brings warmer temperatures and clear skies. The hottest month is July with temperatures in the upper 80s.
With Lake Norman, Lake Wylie and the Catawba River nearby, residents of Charlotte have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s boating, fishing or just hanging out on the beach you’ll find there is something for everyone in Charlotte.
Despite being the hub of NASCAR, Charlotte has a thriving food scene with restaurants like The Fig Tree offering French and Italian dishes in a cozy setting. You can dine on traditional Southern barbecue at a number of places or try the popular Peruvian rotisserie chicken spot Viva Chicken that has locations all over town.