Central Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, March 5, 2001

CONGRATULATIONS TO NINE EXCELLENT EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

David "Tapir" Tapia is the Bronx's Employee of the Month for February. Tapir began with Parks as a WEP Participant. He was hired full time on January 21, 1997 and is currently a Horticultural Trainer with Parks Career Training (PACT). As such, Tapir trains PACT participants in all aspects of gardening including plant identification, light pruning, and restoration and design of flower beds and Greenstreets. Tapir also recently completed an extensive restoration of park paths along the Deagan Expressway. A dedicated new employee and role model for others, Tapir was nominated by Semper.

Robert J. "Surplus" Capizzo is Brooklyn's Employee of the Month for February. Surplus began with Parks on January 11, 1982 and is a SPMO in charge of the Brooklyn M&O Storehouse. Surplus is known for keeping this storehouse to the highest levels of cleanliness and safety. Brooklyn is ahead of other boroughs in implementation of SMY2K, and the Brooklyn M&O Storehouse had the highest rating in this February's first round of citywide Storehouse Inspections. Last year, Surplus trained and certified 30 staff citywide on forklift operations. He also recently coordinated an early spring cleaning effort at Brooklyn shops, and is now handling sign orders for Brooklyn. For playing a leading role in our recent efforts to improve storehouses, and for his service to Brooklyn, Surplus was nominated by Liberty and Jones.

Jonel "Vulcan" Vukan is Capital Projects' Employee of the Month for February. Vulkan joined Parks on February 23, 1998 and is a resident engineer with Requirements Contracts. Vulkan works on several contracts in Manhattan and the Bronx. He coordinates with the borough requirements coordinators, capital design, and the Contractors to ensure that projects are completed correctly and on time. Last fall, he helped with the construction of six Greenstreets in the Bronx. He is also working with the Trust for Public Land to build two new Bronx playgrounds. A skilled engineer, effective problem solver, and team player, Vulkan was nominated by Atlanta.

Matthew "Homer" Symons is Citywide Services' Employee of the Month for February. Homer began with Parks on June 23, 1995 and is a sergeant with UPR. Homer is the citywide coordinator of Programs and outreach for the Rangers. Homer is spearheading the Ranger's new active Explorer tours which include canoeing, kayaking, biking and hiking. He is introducing parks and nature to new groups in New York City, and he is extending Ranger programming beyond traditional favorites like bird watching and walking tours. Homer is also spearheading improvements to the Rangers' school programs. An enthusiastic and energetic promoter of nature and Parks, Homer was nominated by Oiseau.

Thomas J. "Cello" Griffin is Management's Employee of the Month for February. Cello began with Parks on November 27, 1973. Cello worked with the Inspector General's Office at Parks until the IG separated in 1987, and the Parks Advocate was formed. Cello is currently the Deputy Parks Advocate and oversees day to day operations of our investigations unit including facility inspections, scheduling of inspectors, financial disclosure reporting, and compilation of statistics for everything from allegations, supervisory conferences, disciplinary charges, penalties imposed, and arrests. Cello has played a key role in developing a new database for tracking disciplinary statistics, and with our efforts to improve monitoring of vehicle use. For his wealth of knowledge and long time contribution to the Advocates Office, Cello was nominated by Blue Moon.

Lattimer "Titanium" Jones is Manhattan's Employee of the Month for February. Titanium began with Parks on May 6, 1985 and is a stockworker with Manhattan shops. Titanium works at the technical service storehouse where he distributes tools, and supplies to our tradespeople. He receives and tracks all procurement orders, and operates the forklift. Titanium is also the main operator for the Work Order Tracking system (WOTs), and is now learning the Storehouse Manager system (SMY2K). He has taken on various new tasks recently, and is helping Manhattan make improvements to its storehouse operation. Flexible and hardworking, Titanium was nominated by Spartina.

Danny Lim "Boyet" We is Queens' Employee of the Month for February. Boyet began with Parks on June 9, 1986 and is a Maintenance Worker at Roy Wilkins Recreation Center. Boyet keeps Roy Wilkens running by making repairs day or night to all aspects of the center including the pool pump, the filtration system, and the plumbing. He also acts as the technical liaison between Roy Wilkins and Five Boro. For his hard work and many years of dedication to Roy Wilkins, Boyet was nominated by Devil Dog and Top Daawg.

Maria A. "Palomino" Prendamano is Staten Island's Employee of the Month for February. Palomino began with Parks on June 11, 1998 and is a WEP crew chief in District 1, which includes Hero, Faber and Clove Lakes parks. Palomino works closely with her crews to paint, clean and restore parks. She has helped the district achieve 92% cleanliness ratings in 2001. In addition to requiring hard work and discipline from her participants, Palomino has also given back by helping participants to find jobs and improve their skills. For her contributions to Staten Island and to WEP, Palomino was nominated by Outlaw.

Eric "Saybrook" Peterson is the Commissioner's Employee of the Month for February. Saybrook began with Parks on June 28, 1999. Saybrook works as an Analyst in Marketing. Saybrook has worked on many of Parks big events including Easter Eggstravaganza and the Halloween Paty in Central Park. Saybrook also played a key role in attaining a recent donation of 15 Th!nk motorized bikes from Ford, and was heavily involved in last month's successful State of the Parks 2001, a complex multi-media event. For his long hours, diligence, creativity and good cheer, Saybrook was nominated by Mizzou and BC.

By Keith (Kermit) Kerman

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Monday, March 14, 1988)

BOWLING GREEN IS 255 YEARS YOUNG

Bowling Green, the oldest park in the city, has seen a lot of parties over the years. This is where a mob toppled a statue of King George III in 1776 after hearing the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. It's where New Yorkers celebrated the British-American peace treaty in 1783 and the signing of the Constitution in 1789. Even the opening of the Erie Canal in 1824 brought hordes of people to the little half-acre park at the foot of Broadway in Lower Manhattan. On Friday morning the city threw Bowling Green a big birthday party to celebrate its 255th year as a park, complete with champagne, cake, balloons, and 200 guests. The festivities were organized by Art Piccolo, head of the Bowling Green Association.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Workaholics are energized rather than enervated by their work
-their energy paradoxically expands as it is expended."

Marilyn Machlowitz

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center