Lanell Barton, Jesse Fuentes, Richard Jackson, Clarence McCardell
Public Works & Engineering
Water improvement workers left the sidewalk in front of Henrietta Wells’ house in shambles. For years, Wells complained. Private contractors refused the job because it was on city property.
Then Wells called 311. Three days later an inspector came out, took a look at the sidewalk and told Wells a crew would be out the next day.
Two days later, Lanell Baron, Jesse Fuentes, Richard Johnson and Clarence McCardell completed the sidewalk repair.
“They did an excellent job,” Wells wrote. “They were quiet, courteous and efficient. I was so impressed by their ability.”
Bruce Banks, Darrell White, Clyde Willis
Solid Waste Management
Bruce Banks, Darrell White and Clyde Willis helped her move a large pile of brush that otherwise would have sat out until heavy trash pickup, Melinda Kent said. “Thank you so much.”
Jon Bonnette
Police
When an EZ Money manager reported being hijacked while making a bank deposit, Officer Jon Bonnette immediately saw holes in her story, wrote Richard Selser, a company loss prevention investigator.
Soon, the manager confessed she’d staged the robbery, Selser wrote. Most of the money was recovered and the manager was charged with felony theft.
That wasn’t the first time Selser has been impressed with Bonnette’s work.
For a year and a half, EZ Pawn stores were being terrorized by a gang know as the Hardy Boyz. More than $1.5 million was stolen during 11 robberies, Selser wrote.
Bonnette and other officers made nine arrests in connection with the robberies, and the stores have been much safer, Selser wrote. As a result, employee turnover has sharply decreased.
“I have been truly impressed by the cases put together by Officer Bonnette and with his composure on the stand,” Selser wrote. “I’m thankful for his support.”
Linda Rivera
Public Works & Engineering
Steve Harrison figured he’d be dealing with an incorrect water bill for months. Then he met Linda Rivera and the problem was quickly fixed.
“You really followed through,” Harrison wrote. “Thank you!”
Russell Bowling, Mitchell Varley
Fire
Karen Wiggins’ 14-year-old daughter fell off a vehicle at Elsik High School and suffered a head injury. Russell Bowling and Mitchell Varley were quick to respond, Wiggins wrote. Later, she noticed one of the men in the emergency room checking on her daughter.
After five days, the teenager returned home and is recovering, Wiggins wrote.
“I understand you were just doing your jobs, but I appreciate your concern and care for her.”
Victor Cordova, Bobbye Crawford, Brad Hendricks, Joe Pierucci
Parks & Recreation
Ben Crabb was wary when he realized he’d have to work with parks’ employees on two neighborhood projects. He had heard that city departments erected many unnecessary and artificial hurdles.
Then Victor Cordova, Bobbye Crawford, Brad Hendricks and Joe Pierucci changed his mind.
“In my experience dealing with these parks’ personnel, the hurdles are nothing more than good stewardship of the public trust,” he wrote. “If I meet the general requirement of putting forth enough significant thought and effort into developing a concept, the parks personnel will step forward and support those efforts.
“In both projects, I found the park staff’s conduct to be professional and friendly, which is reassuring to me as a resident and taxpayer.”
Sharon Craft
Police
Billie Richey has lived in Gulf Meadows for 40 years, and she’s never seen a neighborhood protection officer like Sharon Craft.
“She goes beyond her work day to deal with complaints,” Richey wrote. “She is diligent, cordial and never too busy to act.
“She is like a breath of fresh air.”
Glenn Landrum
Public Works &Engineering
A building inspector noted that the contractor who built a New Millennium property did not use fire-treated plywood, wrote owner David Sheller. The inspector said New Millennium would have to tear down the installation that had just been place under the roof, a huge and costly task, Sheller wrote.
Then Glenn Landrum offered another solution: The company could simply change the building code designation.
That simple idea saved the company thousands of dollars, Sheller wrote.
“Mr. Landrum’s innovation, foresight and consideration helped expedite matters.”