Historic Harlem Parks

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, January 7, 2003

CONGRATULATIONS DECEMBER EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

The following individuals were awarded Employee of the Month for December on Friday, January 3, 2003.

Sherry graduated from Cornell and began with Parks on June 30, 2001 as an Analyst with Operations. As Operation’s lead analyst, Sherry spearheads a number of complex technical projects including administration of the Maintenance Control Management System (MCMS) that is used to monitor vehicle repair, and oversight over the Storehouse Management System (SMS) that tracks Parks $4.5 million in inventory. Sherry took a lead role in our two year effort to revamp storehouse operations including developing new analytical reports and inspections, and helping to start "PACT Delivers". This fall, Sherry also played a lead role in our initial efforts to conduct user surveys throughout the park system. For bringing her skill and commitment to a number of challenging projects, Sherry was nominated by Chief of Operations Keith T. Kerman.

Maura began with Parks on April 2, 2001 with OMP. She served as an analyst helping with our inspection program until moving up to Government Relations in spring 2002. Working with Allison Wenger, Maura helps spearhead a number of inter-governmental efforts including preparing for city council hearings and meetings with individual council members. Maintaining and expanding our partnerships with all branches of government is vital to Parks efforts to continue improving services. Friendly, reasonable and smart, Maura is building bridges throughout government that help support Parks. She was co-nominated by Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey and Director of Government Relations Allison Wenger.

Dejon is a Playground Associate and has been with Parks since July 8, 1999. He started as a seasonal with Summer Fun at Morningside Park. After two successful summers there, he earned a full-time position at J. Hood Wright Recreation Center. Dejon works closely with children and teens at the center, helping them stay fit and mentoring them. Dejon coaches baseball, basketball, and Manhattan’s championship flag football team that went to the Citywide Finals two years in a row. He also helped develop the PAL, HealthPlus 2002 Summer Baseball League and the Youth Environmental & Science Society Program. For his strong interest in youth and support of Manhattan Recreation, Dejon was nominated by Chief of Manhattan Recreation Chris Clouden.

Alfred is an APSW and has been with Parks since September 16, 1999. Alfred serves as the Horticultural Crew Chief for Forest Park. He supervises and trains up to 8 crew members consisting of PACT, POPs and seasonal staff. He teaches his staff proper planting and pruning techniques, landscape bed design, plant identification, and power tool usage. Together, they then set out to transform and beautify the park. His many projects include renovation of Sgt. Shaeffer Oval, turf repair at the Picnic Area, installation of the 9/11 Memorial Garden at the Bandshell, and the Daffodil Project. This year Alfred also oversaw the Garden Stewards Program, that involved 12 volunteer groups and 218 volunteers. Flexible and devoted, Alfred was nominated by Landscape Manager Josephine Scalia and PRM David Bentham.

Jeffrey is a CPW and has been with Parks since January 12, 1987. He works in District 2, Willowbrook Park, where his duties include operating a mini-packer and grass tractors, and working with the boro-wide herbicide spray crews. Jeff always keeps an eye out for PIP issues and reports them to supervisors immediately. He helped District 2 achieve an overall condition rating of 92.2% in 2002. Jeff always goes above and beyond to get the job done. For effective contribution to Staten Island, Jeff was nominated by SPMO Jerome Candrilli.

Today, some observations of park life from Jerry Seinfeld’s book, Seinlanguage, published in 1993:

"On my block, a lot of people walk their dogs and I always see them walking along with their little poop bags…If aliens are watching this through their telescopes, they’re going to think that dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making the poop, the other one’s carrying it for them, who would you assume is in charge?"

"You say that you are my judge; I do not know if you are;

but take good heed not to judge me ill, because you would put yourself

in great peril."

(c.1412–1431)

Know Before You Go

Jackie Robinson Recreation Center