JACKSONVILLE —
Jacksonville has a new building inspector after three or so months of keeping a vacant position.
Building Official Jody Watson said the new hire, Chris Silvey, brings strong Jacksonville ties with him.
“He recently built a house and plans to be in Jacksonville a long time,” Watson said. “It’s very appealing to the city to have an applicant with a college degree committed to helping Jacksonville grow and continue to improve.”
Silvey, a Jacksonville High School graduate who said he has lived in Jacksonville his whole life, graduated from the University of Texas in Tyler in 2002 after studying industrial technology.
He began work July 19.
“I was always interested in construction and the process of getting things done,” Silvey said. “I believe I am a good fit because I like to learn.”
City Manager Mo Raissi said he knows Silvey will do well in his new role.
“The building inspector is one of those positions where it’s tough to find experienced people to come in,” Raissi said. “He’s a local person, that’s what I like about him. He’s locally educated.”
Watson said Silvey got his experience from one year of working for a surveyor based out of Rusk and from his work as an assistant manager at Bill Day Tire in Jacksonville.
“He is experienced with helping customers,” Watson said. “He is also educated in surveying.”
Silvey said his job includes residential and commercial building inspections, entailing everything from concrete to plumbing and every aspect of construction.
“I’m looking forward to learning and getting the knowledge and education I need to do the job better,” Silvey said. “I am looking forward to making sure everything gets done properly.”
He added his coworkers have been good to him and even aided in leading him in the right direction.
“I want to make a career here with the city and do the best I can for my family and for Jacksonville,” Silvey said.
Raissi said the city always strives to find the right person for the job.
Watson said he expects Silvey to continue to have strong customer service skills.
“Sometimes we’re the first face they see and the first hand they shake,” Watson said of businessmen and visitors who might visit East Texas.
Silvey lives with his wife Trista near Lake Jacksonville, Silvey said.
Local News
Related Photos
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New Building Inspector Chris Silvey speaks with a customer on the phone. On his desk is the International Plumbing Code book, which he has been tasked with reading. Progress photo by Nathan Straus
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City hires Silvey as building inspector
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