Van Cortlandt Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, May 30, 2001

CONGRATULATIONS TO NINE FINE EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

Carlos M. (The Stone) Viera is Bronx's Employee of the Month for May. The Stone joined Parks on July 1, 1993 and currently works with the borough-wide extermination crew. The Stone had been working as a seasonal worker in Pelham Bay Park, until recently when he attainied a license from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to spray for roaches, bait rodents, and apply pesticides. Now, The Stone roams the Bronx, tracking down dangerous pests and rats and ending their reigns of terror. Responsible and serious, The Stone is playing an important role in improving the quality of life in the Bronx. The Stone was nominated by Mensch.

Nancy A. (Blue Bay) Quilty is Brooklyn's Employee of the Month for May. Blue Bay joined Parks on October 19, 1981 as an analyst at Litchfield Villa. She received promotions to APSW and Crew Chief, and is currently an SPMO in District 10, which includes Dyker Beach Park and Owls Head Park. Blue Bay has helped her districts achieve 92.3% ratings so far in 2001. An enthusiastic and energetic Parkie, Blue Bay has taken on difficult assignments in Brooklyn and played a key role in Greenstreets maintenance. Blue Bay works closely with her staff, and is well liked by employees and park patrons alike. She was nominated by Liberty.

James (Harmonicat) Mituzas is Capital Projects' Employee of the Month for May. Harmonicat joined Parks on January 19, 1993 and currently works with Landscape Architecture. Harmonicat's recent projects include the reconstruction of Poe Park and Bufano Playground in the Bronx, and the design of the $2 million Fairway Playground in Van Cortlandt Park. The Fairway project includes a golf theme playground, a new comfort station, and a link to the 4 train. Harmonicat is now beginning a series of challenging projects for the Bronx River restoration, an important initiative. Creative and resourceful, Harmonicat was nominated by Polecat.

Dominic (Slalom) Fiorella is Citywide Services' Employee of the Month for May. Slalom began with Parks on March 25, 1985 after a tour with DOI, and serves as Supervisor of Fleet Services at 5-Boro. As such, Slalom oversees a wide variety of service contracts including vehicle auto-body repair, facility repair, hazardous waste removal, vehicle transmissions and more. Slalom monitors Motor Vehicle Inspections for Parks and has helped us reduce the number of overdue inspections from over 150 in 1996 to zero. He also assists with our waste management program and helped establish our successful contract with Key Environmental. Slalom is a 5-Boro veteran, with extensive and vital experience with the many facets of fleet and technical services. For his service to 5-Boro, Slolam was nominated by Kermit.

Jim (Monk) Murray is Management's Employee of the Month for May. Monk joined Parks on April 8, 1996, and currently works as a PACT job developer. Monk helps PACT, and now POP, participants attain private sector employment. Monk takes a hands-on role with participants, individually counseling them and developing the skills that will serve them in the workforce. Monk has placed 53 participants in FY01 and 195 in the last three years, second of all developers. For his service to this important and successful initiative, Monk was nominated by Deadhead.

Carmen (Carnation) Flores is Manhattan's Employee of the Month for May. Carnation joined Parks on July 12, 1982 and currently works as an assistant to the Chief of Recreation in Manhattan. In this role, Carnation tracks membership and attendance figures for Manhattan's 14 recreation centers. She also takes care of personnel administration for Manhattan recreation's 136 employees. Carnation has helped improve customer service among the recreation staff, and addresses many constituent concerns directly. Organized and thoughtful, Carnation was nominated by Horizon.

John W. (Toro Man) Ellison is Queens' Employee of the Month for May. Toro Man joined Parks on May 29, 1999 and currently works as a CPW in District 8 in Queens, which includes Cunningham Park. Toro Man works with a variety of equipment and vehicles including grass tractors, chain saws, snow plows, and weedwackers. Toro Man currently works with a mobile crew that performs repairs aimed at PIP ratings. With Toro Man's help, District 8 has maintained a cleanliness rating of 96.8% thus far in 2001. For his skill and dedication, Toro Man was nominated by Hurricane.

Vladimir (Ladi) Biba is Staten Island's Employee of the Month for May. Ladi joined Parks on June 26, 1998 and currently works as a CPW in District 3, which includes Conference House Park and Lemon Creek Park. Ladi takes a special interest in identifying and cleaning the hundreds of acres of Forever Wild and undeveloped areas in District 3. His hard work and attention to detail have helped District 3 achieve 100% cleanliness ratings for over 2 years. A self-starter and excellent worker, Ladi was nominated by Radio Bob.

Jane (Doe) Rudolph is the Commissioner's Employee of the Month for May. Doe joined Parks on June 8, 1998. Doe began in Manhattan working for A-Train. There she played a leading role in public outreach, grant writing, and she assisted with governmental relations. In January 2001, she came to the Arsenal as Director of Public information. Since then, in addition to managing the always busy Press Office, Doe has successfully promoted Parks events and accomplishments such as the Forever Wild initiative and the Citywide Beach opening. Most recently, she organized a press conference alerting the public to the dangers of abandoning non-native animals in our parks. Doe has successfully performed her responsibilities at a busy and challenging time. Smart, calm, and dedicated, Doe is a terrific asset to Parks and was nominated by Mizzou.

By Keith T. (Kermit) Kerman and Sara (Cria) Coleman

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Wednesday, June 1, 1988)

"SUMMERSTAGE" TO GIVE A SNEAK PREVIEW PERFORMANCE AT GRAND ARMY PLAZA

New Yorkers will get a sneak preview of SummerStage, Central Park's popular and innovative performing arts series on Wednesday, June 8 at 12:30 p.m. at Grand Army Plaza, at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. On hand to give a taste of what's to come will be the American Tap Dance Orchestra and the R & B a cappella group, The Persuasions.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Nonsense and beauty have close connections."

Edward Morgan Forster (1879-1970)