Mike Cordova
Public Works & Engineering
While Robert Bartlett was chairman of the Houston Commission on Disabilities, he constantly noticed the excellent work Mike Cordova did for people with disabilities.
They worked together to get new wheelchair ramp and curb standards for the city, and when groups needed more information on city programs, Cordova was always willing to speak to them, Bartlett wrote.
“While we didn’t solve all of the problems, we did help the disability community in a very significant way. Thank you,” he wrote.
P.D. Norris
Police
“Dear Chief Hurtt,” Bonnie Grim’s letter began. “Tonight I sit in one of Houston’s beautiful hotels, safe after being rescued by one of your young men.
“Otherwise, I’d still be wandering in what can only be described as a medieval torture maze invented by a sadist.”
Grim, a resident of Red Oak, came to Houston to pick up friends from Amsterdam, one of whom was in a wheelchair. After parking her car at the airport, she meticulously noted the row letter, parking level and nearest terminal.
But when she and her friends went to that location, there was another car parked in her spot, she wrote.
“Perspiration dripped, tempers flared, and frustration put my elderly blood pressure well over the boiling point,” Grim wrote. “Surely not a very good introduction to your fair city.”
Officer P.D. Norris noticed the group wandering around and offered to help. “About a mile” from where they were searching, Grim wrote, Norris found her car in an area labeled with the same level and row number as she’d noted and had been at, she wrote.
Norris calmed the group down and helped them get into the car, and he didn’t make them feel stupid for being unable to find her car, Grim wrote.
“If this young officer is any indication of the quality of your officers, then you are doubtless proud of your force,” she wrote.
Michael Williams, Virginia Oxford
Convention & Entertainment Facilities
After the Nutcracker performance at the Wortham Theater, Michael Williams and Virginia Oxford helped contain the crowd of autograph seekers. That was just another valuable service the two employees provided to the Houston Ballet, wrote Andrew Edmonson, director of marketing and public relations.
“We had our best year ever of Nutcracker sales, and we couldn’t have done it without them,” he wrote.
Calvin Curtis
Building Services
The city’s quick response in calling a town hall meeting helped Alliance Residential Management relocate Hurricane Katrina refugees more quickly, wrote Jenifer Paneral, senior vice president of operation.
“We know there is nothing more important than providing residents a warm, inviting place to live, especially under such devastating circumstances,” Paneral wrote. “Calvin Curtis and his team’s dedication, cooperation, and assistance made it possible for us to fulfill this vision.”
Curtis kept Alliance updated on all aspects of the voucher program and was available for their questions, Paneral wrote. “It is the standard that you have set that makes Alliance Residential a great place to call home.”
Vanessa Smith
Library
Kathleen Orosco gives Vanessa Smith an “A” for attitude, an “A” for professionalism, and an “A” for helpfulness.
“I’ve never encountered such great library expertise and willingness to help with my research project,” Orosco wrote.
Margaret Baptiste
Human Resources
Margaret Baptiste’s sacrifice of a Saturday paid off for the firefighters she talked to at the Retirement Matters Seminar, wrote Gwyn Walker Chambers.
“I am just now opening my book again and going over my notes,” Chambers wrote. “You covered a lot of information that I really need to know.”
Nancy Stephens was also thankful for Baptiste’s attention. “I don’t know if anyone ever tells you this, but I just wanted to say thank you and have a nice day.”