John V. Lindsay East River Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, August 1, 2001

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH OF JULY

Ralph (Smooth Rock) Alvarez is Bronx's Employee of the Month for July. Smooth Rock joined Parks on November 25, 1988. Smooth Rock currently works as a WEP Crew Chief in District 7 of the Bronx, where he is in charge of maintaining ten miles of park and service roads along Mosholu Parkway. Smooth Rock rises to the unique challenge of caring for an area that sees constant vehicle traffic. He and the eight WEPs under his supervision work hard to make sure the highly visible parkway is well kept, and he has helped District 7 achieve 92% cleanliness ratings so far this year. For his dedication and service to the Bronx, Smooth Rock was nominated by Scout.

Karen E. (Overtime) Gripper is Brooklyn's Employee of the Month for July. Overtime joined Parks on June 24, 1985 and currently works as Center Manager of St. John's Recreation Center. Under Overtime's care, St. John's has realized increased membership, attendance and revenue, and received an overall score of 4 out of 5, above the city average, on its last center inspection. Overtime has concentrated on opening up the center to teens. Working with Teens at Parks (TAP) she has sponsored teen skating, cooking, swimming, dance and technology courses. She has also assisted with capital improvements including the creation of a conference room and Computer Resource Center, and the upgrading of the fitness center. For her contributions to Brooklyn recreation, Overtime was nominated by Satellite.

Douglas T. (Slugfest) Still is Capital Projects' Employee of the Month for July. Slugfest joined Parks on August 26, 1996 after receiving his Masters in Urban Forestry. Slugfest currently works as the Assistant Director of Street Tree Planting at Central Forestry. Slugfest monitors the progress of nine borough foresters, who coordinate the planting of nearly 15,000 trees a year. Slugfest has also taken on special projects including teaching tree identification courses, and installing tree guards on Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues in Manhattan. For his service and friendship to New York City's trees, Slugfest was nominated by Treetop.

Edwin (Rich Port) Falcon is Citywide Services' Employee of the Month for July. Rich Port joined Parks on August 1, 1988. He currently works as a Lieutenant with the Urban Park Rangers out of Manhattan South, including Battery Park. Rich Port has helped to improve park safety by taking aggressive stands against unleashed dogs, illegal vendors, and unruly patrons. In his many years with PEP, Rich Port forged close relationships with both Parks M&O and with the NYPD. These contacts help Parks respond more quickly and effectively to security concerns. For his improved work and commitment to Parks Enforcement, Rich Port was nominated by Bronco.

Debbie E. (Polyester) Weiss is Management's Employee of the Month for July. Polyester joined Parks on June 14, 1999 from and currently works in Central Recreation. Throughout the school year, Polyester coordinates the recently developed Parks Enhanced After-School Program, which focuses on fine arts, literacy and drama at seven recreation centers. This summer Polyester is in charge of 17 summer festivals being held in parks throughout the city. She also works closely with Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation, which funds youth baseball clinics. Polyester's hard work, flexibility and persistence have resulted in many successful projects serving the city's youth. A valuable asset to Recreation, Polyester was nominated by Iceman and Catalan.

Ryszard K. (Gdynia) Ossowski is Manhattan's Employee of the Month for July. Gdynia joined Parks on September 9, 1990 as a seasonal CPW in Brooklyn. He became a permanent employee in 1993, and currently works as an APSW in Manhattan's District 3, which includes Tompkins Square Park and East River Park. Gdynia serves as District 3's primary packer operator. Each day, he reliably keeps to his route ensuring that all garbage is picked up on time. He has maintained his schedule despite recent changes in waste dumping prompted by the closing of Sanitation's Manhattan waste transfer sites. Dependable and dedicated, Gdynia was nominated by Tavola.

Gary D. (Neutral) Fello is Queens' Employee of the Month for July. Neutral joined Parks on April 1, 1985 and currently works as a CPW in District 2 in Queens, which includes Doughboy Park and Windmuller Park. Neutral has been assigned to District 2 for nearly a decade, and in that time has become recognized by Parks employees and patrons alike as a dedicated and effective Parkie. He quickly assesses maintenance needs and then applies himself to find the best solution, whether using different tools or spending extra time on a project. His attention to detail has helped District 2 achieve 91.2% cleanliness ratings so far in 2001. An important asset to Queens parks, Neutral was nominated by Apothecary.

Christopher W. (Bobcat) Pallotta is Staten Island's Employee of the Month for July. Bobcat joined Parks on May 10, 2000 and currently works as a CPW at the Staten Island Dispatch Garage. Bobcat brings a number of skills to the garage, including a CDL license and a Pesticide Application certificate. Beyond his normal driving duties, Bobcat assists with special events, and helps with Wenger Wagon and bleacher operations. In the last year, Bobcat has shown the ability to work quickly and effectively. A promising new employee in Staten Island, Bobcat was nominated by Garage Dispatch Supervisor Jeff Askloff.

Jason R. (Oquaga) Stanevich is the Commissioner's Employee of the Month for July. Oquaga started with Parks on December 28, 1999 working with Liquidator as a Benefits Coordinator. The following spring, Oquaga headed up Ivory's Record Retention Initiative and effectively reorganized and tracked Parks records at Chelsea Rec. Center. Once Chelsea was complete, Oquaga was promoted to Northside's office to work alongside Red Rock in Field Operations. Oquaga quickly became the agency's lead representative on the Mayor's Rat and West Nile Task Forces, working with OEM and the Department of Health to eradicate mosquitoes and rodents for the City's 28,000 acres of parkland. This summer, Oquaga is monitoring our beaches and pools, responding to emergencies 24/7. For his hard work and achievement, Oquaga was nominated by Northside and Red Rock.

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

>>Go to Employee Awards Program Page

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Wednesday, August 3, 1988)

SUMMERSTAGE'S BEGINS SIZZLING
FRIDAY NIGHT SERIES

SummerStage presents an exciting August Friday night performance series featuring Ralph Lee and the Mettawee River Company, who present "The Ringdove" on August 12 at 8:30 P.M.; a revival of Ping Chong and Company's "Kind Ness" on August 19 at 9 P.M.; and a monologue by Quentin Crisp on August 26 at 8:30 P.M. The free series will take place at the Central Park Bandshell, mid-park at 72nd Street.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"The renown which riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail;
mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession."

Sallust [Gaius Sallustius Crispus] 86-34 B.C.

Know Before You Go

John V. Lindsay East River Park