James Clayton
Parks
After evaluating basketball programs for his grandson, Shem Alford’s
first choice was the Houstonian Basketball Program at Fonde Recreation
Center.
“My grandson is now participating in the program, and he is very excited about it,” Alford wrote. “James Clayton is outstanding in working with our young people. Thank you for offering such a fine program!”
Essie Torres
Mayor’s Office
“Essie Torres is a wonderful mediator
and facilitator,” Alice Cunningham wrote. When Cunningham couldn’t
get help with a problem, she contacted Torres, whose honesty and diligence
helped solve the issue.
Judy Ayers
Convention and Entertainment
Texas A&M University architecture graduate students thoroughly enjoyed
the behind-the-scenes tour Judy Ayers gave
them of Jones Hall, wrote Professor David Woodcock.
“Your energy and enthusiasm were absolutely terrific for the group, and you enabled us to understand what it takes to provide the public with good performances,” Woodcock wrote.
Bruce Banks, Darrell White
Solid Waste
Kudos to Bruce Banks and Darrell
White, who drew raves from several residents.
Instead of passing Laura Taylor’s house while she was bundling her shrubbery trimmings, Banks and White stopped. They helped her get the debris to the truck, Taylor said in a call to their supervisor.
Cindy Yonge called to say the two men helped a neighbor with heavy trash pickup. “They leave the area cleaner than the regular heavy-trash crew,” Yonge said.
And Larry White called to say Banks and White educated him about disposing of tree branches, limbs and grass clippings. “They are exceptionally wonderful! They are always gracious and helpful.”
Kamal Bhatia
Library
Researching foreign distribution for low-budget films was hard work for
Jeff Willard, an English teacher at Marshall High School in Missouri City.
That changed when he reached Kamal “Kay”
Bhatia.
“Kay is resourceful, encouraging and courteous,” Willard wrote. “She seems like she’s a genuine problem-solver. I’m not sure you can train that into somebody.”
Michael Howard
Public Works & Engineering
Permitting is a tedious and time-consuming process that few people enjoy,
wrote Ghassan Buhchan of The Interfield Group. What is needed is someone
to help, listen and guide people through the process.
“Michael Howard is that person,” Buhchan wrote. “He not only reviews the plans, but he also tries to educate us by writing down references and/or solutions to issues. His teachings helped this firm tremendously and saved clients thousands of dollars.”
Marie Johnson
Police
Officer Marie Johnson quickly found and
charged the woman who stole Lisa Cari’s wallet. She also convinced
the woman to turn herself in, Cari wrote.
“Johnson was incredibly informative and communicated the process and procedures well, while always conducting herself in a professional way,” Cari wrote. “For someone to have all those features is rare these days.”