Prospect Park

The Daily Plant : Tuesday, October 3, 2000

Employees of the Month

Christopher J. “Ace in the Hole” Kraft is the Bronx’s Employee of the Month for September. Christopher started with Parks on August 22, 1988 and is a City Park Worker for District 2, which includes Tiffany Playground and Rainey Park. In FY 00, District 2 achieved ratings of 93% Overall and 100% Cleanliness. Christopher’s responsibilities include graffiti removal, trash collection, and horticultural work. Christopher is a hard working and dedicated employee who has made a strong contribution to Parks. Christopher was nominated by Rico.

David M. “Stumpy” Diaz is Brooklyn’s Employee of the Month for September. Stumpy began with the Prospect Park Alliance on May 20, 1996 and works as a Soil and Wildlife Specialist for the Natural Resources Crew. Stumpy oversees woodland restoration and the soil lab in Prospect Park, which performs test of texture, pH, and organic matter within soil. He also keeps track of the breeding and migrating of birds and handles animal emergencies. Since joining the Prospect Park Alliance, Stumpy has obtained a CDL license, a Pesticide Application license, and has become an ISA Certified Arborist. For his hard work and dedication, Stumpy was nominated by Liberty.

Jesse D. “Cheshire” Brackenbury is Capital Projects’ Employee of the Month for September. Cheshire began with Parks on July 26, 1999, after working for two years as an Economic Forecaster. Cheshire serves as Assistant Chief of Management Services where he oversees Capital's grants projects. During his tenure at Parks, a backlog of over 30 grant projects with outstanding reimbursements has been eliminated. Parks has also received $14 million in newly requested grant reimbursements. Additionally, Cheshire has led an effort to expand and upgrade the CAD system and has introduced new reporting measures for tracking the Capital Commitment. Hard working and motivated, Cheshire was nominated by Catalyst.

Kirk O. “Trek” Campbell is Citywide Services’ Employee of the Month for September. Kirk joined Parks on November 2, 1998 and works as an Automotive Service Worker in Horticultural Equipment Repair. Kirk assists in the repair of small equipment, including lawnmowers, backpack blowers, chainsaws, leaf vacuums, rototillers, and weed wackers. He has helped 5 Boro make the switch from FAMIS to the Maintenance Control Management System (MCMS). He is also greatly assisting with the relocation of small equipment repair from Passarrelle to the 5 Boro Garage, a move which will save money and improve services. Thorough and cheerful, Kirk was nominated by Automan.

Andrew "AWACS" Wilson is Management’s Employee of the Month for September. AWACS joined Parks on February 10, 1998 as an analyst with MIS. AWACS works closely with the SportsLog system. He also conducts research into new technologies which help keep MIS and Parks on the cutting edge, including Image Archive, and a new paging system for Central. He has recently been appointed the Director of Parks e-Government where he will spearhead new ways to make our services efficient and easily accessible. Skilled and creative, AWACS was nominated by Lap Top.

Veronica “Faerydust” Llanos is Manhattan’s Employee of the Month for September. Faerydust started with Parks on February 9, 1998 and is an Assistant to the Chief of Administrative Services. As such, she is responsible for the processing and tracking of over 400 seasonal, district, pool, and summer step-up positions and assists staff with a myriad of personnel matters. She has a strong knowledge of personnel and payroll rules and procedures and a keen attention to detail. Faerydust was nominated by Sunflower.

Alma “Can Do Princess” Nazryk is Queens’ Employee of the Month for September. Alma was a City Seasonal Aide six years ago and returned to Parks full time on May 30, 1999. Alma works as an APSW in District 8, which includes Cunningham Park and Captain Tilly Park. In FY 00, Cunningham Park achieved ratings of 100% Cleanliness. Alma’s responsibilities include trash collection and trim work. Alma also trains other mobile crew workers on proper handling of horticulture equipment. For her positive attitude and hard work, Alma was nominated by PS Rooney.

Patricia “April Fool” Magliocco is Staten Island’s Employee of the Month for September. Patricia began with Parks on August 23, 1999 and is an Assistant Gardener for Staten Island Greenstreets, which have received Overall ratings of 100% for FY00. Patricia works with the midnight spraying crew and also spearheads the tree labeling project. She is a skilled gardener and has made a strong contribution to our Greenstreets Initiative. A valuable new employee, Patricia was nominated by Outlaw.

Charles A. “Falcon” Gili is the Commissioner’s Employee of the Month for September. Falcon started with Parks on May 17, 1982 as a Seasonal Urban Park Ranger and has worked his way to his current position as the Deputy Chief for Operations for Brooklyn. Falcon worked as an Associate Urban Park Ranger in Prospect Park and Manhattan before becoming a Principal Parks Supervisor in January of 1988. He served as Chief of Operations for Prospect Park for almost five years before being named to his current position. As Deputy Chief, Falcon supervises Brooklyn’s PRMs, WEP, garages, and beaches. He also plans large projects such as 5x5's and special events. Over Labor Day, Falcon coordinated this summer’s West Indian Day Parade cleanup. An enormous asset in Brooklyn and longtime friend of Parks, Falcon was nominated by Mirror.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Tuesday, October 6, 1987)

TURTLE BAY'S DETMOLD PARK DEDICATED

Peter Detmold Park in Manhattan may be a sliver of land measuring just over an acre, but last Friday it was given all the attention of a flagship park. Comptroller Harrison J. Goldin; City Council Members Robert J. Dryfoos and Carol Greitzer; Congressman Bill Green; Park Chairman from Community Board 6 Gary Papush; President of the Detmold Park Association William E. Curtis and Manhattahn Parks Comissioner Partick J. Pomposello joined Commissioner Stern to snip the Parks emerald ribbon and officially dedicate the park, named after Peter Detmold, a slain community leader from the Turtle Bay section.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

Our true nationality is mankind.

Herbert George Wells (1866-1946)