Good Job

Mary Frances Townsend
Library
As a guest lecturer at the University of North Texas, Mary Frances Townsend earned an “A.”

Professor Ana Cleveland, doctoral student Jodi Philbrick, and teaching assistant Katie Gilkinson called her presentation outstanding, interesting and creative. “We were also impressed by your teaching style, and the feedback from the class members was excellent,” they wrote.

Heidi Brown, J.J. Kuehner
HPD
Parts of the mystery of the impounded Chrysler are still unsolved. “That particular vehicle is from a Daimler Chrysler dealer in California, and we are still wondering how it ended up abandoned in Houston,” wrote John Miller of Daimler Chrysler in Kansas.

What Sgt. Heidi Brown uncovered is that the impound notice sent by the impound lot to the California dealership was not an official HPD document. Brown also discovered that the police detective the tow lot employee referred Miller to was not an HPD employee.

Meanwhile, Officer J.J. Kuehner got the impound tow lot manager to talk to Miller and arrange for him to retrieve his vehicle.

“Our main concern is to recognize these officers’ outstanding work,” Miller wrote. “If too much time had passed, the tow lot would have sold the vehicle at a public auction. They are truly two of Houston’s finest.”

Abdul Ansari, Carolyn Palmer
Health & Human Services
Teresa Clark
Finance & Administration
Gayle Cook
Building Services
Velma Laws
Affirmative Action
“As a small minority business, we want to thank you for helping us participate in the free enterprise system,” wrote Ronald Patterson. “You have consistently helped us enhance our service delivery efforts.”

Richard Barrett
Human Resources
Fire Chief Chris Connealy cited Richard Barrett and the EAP staff for being passionate about helping employees and their families during difficult periods in their lives. They helped many HFD employees after the February 2000 McDonald’s and the October 2001 Four Leaf Towers’ tragedies, Connealy wrote.

Barrett and the EAP staff have also been guest instructors at HFD officer schools. “The EAP is an excellent resource for city employee,” Connealy wrote. He called them professional and dedicated.

Heide Miller
Library
When Veda Hawkins needed an obituary but didn’t know the date or the name of the newspaper, she went to the downtown library. Heide Miller found the obituary and showed Hawkins how to use the microfiche and the copy machines. “She was very helpful, and I appreciate her teaching me how to use those machines,” Hawkins wrote.

Mike Loomis
Public Works & Engineering
Joe Powell called Mike Loomis prompt, informative, helpful and very professional. “My compliments for a job well done,” Powell wrote.

Daniel Malachowski
Health & Human Services
Although Lisa Wilson needed an environmental inspection report, she didn’t know how to get one. But with Daniel Malachowski’s help, that didn’t matter. He retrieved the report she needed and explained how the system worked, Wilson wrote. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

Anthony Crisci, Carl Smitha
Public Works & Engineering
After four years of talking to people about the cave-ins around his garage and in his back yard, Homer Black was discouraged. Finally, Black spoke to Anthony Crisci who knew how to solve the problem.

Also, Carl Smitha was helpful when he reassured Black that although they had to deal with three contractors, the job would be done.

“So far, the problem has been solved,” Black wrote. “We are grateful for your help and support.”

Gina Stemmer
Library
The computer section at the downtown library has improved greatly over the past 18 months, wrote Stuart Bailey, a network administrator. Now, it is stocked with current and well-chosen titles.

“Good books in this field are expensive and quickly become dated,” Bailey wrote. This section, under Gina Stemmer, is well managed.

Rueben Cervantes
Solid Waste Management
“Thanks for picking up the dead dog at 15398 Fondren so quickly,” said Donald Brown in a call about Rueben Cervantes’ work.

Mitchell Bosarge, John Burleson, David Fuentes, Antonio Herrera, Frank Lopez, Mark Miller, Schindel Pettie
HFD
A young man's seizure at Club Vision changed his life. “I made some ignorant choices that night that led to my seizure,” the man wrote. “I have regretted making them ever since.”

The young man praised these paramedics’ response time, quick actions and professionalism. “I can promise you that ecstasy will never be in my system again,” he wrote.

Matt Dexter
HPD
A man picked up a 15-year-old girl, took her to his apartment, got her intoxicated and sexually assaulted her, wrote Rob Freyer, a Harris County assistant district attorney. The state did not have physical evidence against the defendant.

But Officer Matt Dexter’s outstanding preparation and testimony prevailed.

The jury returned a guilty verdict and sentenced the defendant to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000, Freyer wrote. “I look forward to working with Officer Dexter again, because it means the victim and I will be in good hands.”

Gary Rapsilver, Rodney Taylor
Fire
On a flight from Louisville to Houston, A.M. Scholten of Kampen, The Netherlands, was nailed by acute food poisoning. “I hope never to experience anything like that again,” Scholten wrote.

Gary Rapsilver and Rodney Taylor met him at the gate and drove him to the hospital, Scholten wrote. “Their understanding and professional approach was very comforting. Being an out-of-country visitor, they made me feel right at home.”

Beatriz Deangulo
Library
Her son’s research project was confusing to him and to her, wrote Sherrie Stanley. “Luckily, Beatriz Deangulo came to our rescue.” She found the books and helped with the copy machine, Stanley wrote. “She is knowledgeable and kind.”

Luis Weniger
Public Works & Engineering
During a light rain, Luis Weniger and Al Russell waded through the Agnes Moffit Park swamp. They investigated a manhole hidden by brush and the amount of water in a sanitary sewer manhole, wrote Russell of the Timber Oaks Association.

Recent repairs on the sanitary sewer manhole were supposed to stop the flow of storm water from entering the sanitary sewer line. “But sure enough, storm water was still entering those sewer lines,” Russell wrote.

Weniger put some dye in the ditch. Within a minute, the storm water was flowing yellow into the manhole from a hole below the sewer line, Russell wrote. Weniger reported the hole, and it was soon repaired.

“Please see that Mr. Weniger’s outstanding service is added to his record,” Russell wrote. “His courtesy stop will significantly reduce the volume of storm water flowing in the sanitary sewer line and improve the sewer process.”

J. Wiltz
HPD
“Due to Officer J. Wiltz’s diligence and smart thinking, my psychopathic husband was taken to jail for his several years of terrorizing me,” wrote Naomi Grundy. “Please commend her for her professionalism and expedience and for being on the job at all times.”

Troy Menard
Health & Human Services
After watching Troy Menard’s pool inspection, Becky Banes called him personable, pleasant and professional. “He was prompt and knowledgeable about city and state requirements,” Banes wrote. “He is an asset to your department.”

Sharon Tester, Susan Luycx
Planning & Development
A real estate broker sign at each of two businesses that Mark Stamey frequents blocked his view as he tried to enter the streets the signs were on.

He called Sharon Tester who worked with Susan Luycx to investigate the proper procedure to help him, Stamey wrote. Then, Tester called Stamey and said the signs should be moved in about three weeks.

Instead, they were moved in three days, Stamey wrote. “This was efficient and caring behavior. These situations can make the tax bite not sting so much.”

Amanda Freeman, Gloria Moellenkamp
Planning & Development
“I am grateful for your prompt and professional help permitting my job,” wrote Brian Mobley. “My experience with you both is beyond my expectations.”

Felicia Briscoe, Vi Johnson, Brenda Tirrell, Barb West
Library
Congratulations to Vi Johnson and Barb West from Teresa Crain for making the library system upgrade and screens easy to use. Crain also cited Felicia Briscoe and Brenda Tirrell for entering fuller bibliographic records of generic paperbacks into the online catalogue

“It’s great to see the titles of the items checked out, and it’s great to have the choice of renewing all items or specific items,” Crain wrote. “Thanks for this expanded system.”

Mohdudul Huq, Allen Parker
Planning & Development
Eddie Jones
Public Works & Engineering
Mohdudul Huq, Allen Parker and Eddie Jones answered all of Herman Randle’s questions on grants, private foundations and how nonprofits can help with community development projects. “They meet the public with outstanding personalities and knowledge of what the city can offer the community,” Randle wrote.

Fermin Alcazar, Samuel Eaves, Galen Hargrave, Jason Kiel, Jason Kramer, Scott Lecroy, George Luchak, Michael Wead
Fire
Her husband’s stroke prompted Mrs. Ethan Capps’ 911 call. “Thanks to this crew, Mr. Capps survived the stroke and is progressing toward recovery,” she wrote. “I will always be grateful to these men. I don’t know when I’ve been so frightened.”

James Allen, Shawnte Haywood, Charles Sessions, Willie Williams
Public Works & Engineering
Al Russell reported a leak to 311 on Saturday. At 8:30 a.m., Monday, this crew began fixing the leak. By 2 p.m., they had cleaned up and left, Russell wrote. “That’s what I call service.”

R. Cruz, R.J. De La Cruz, C. Ebert, F. Estrada, C. Lopez, J. Ortiz, H. Pizana
HPD
Rita Snow-Castro described her next-door neighbor as a dangerous man. “John Pope carries weapons and does drugs,” Snow-Castro wrote.

When Officers R. Cruz and R.J. De La Cruz saw Pope riding his motorcycle in the neighborhood, they told him to stop, Snow-Castro wrote. He refused. The officers called for backup and arrested Pope who was carrying cocaine, a pistol, and a Luger machine gun loaded with a 25 clip.

“Words cannot express the gratitude I feel that these fine officers arrested this man,” Snow-Castro wrote. “He was making life very difficult for his wife and children.”

Carolyn Raglin
Planning & Development
Going through the process of getting his certificate of compliance had never made Sammy Cutts’ list of fun things to do. Then, Carolyn Raglin made the process a pleasure, Cutts wrote. “She took charge and handled everything. She should be rewarded for her strong work ethic, loyalty and expertise.”

F. Belmarez, J.A. Colion, V. Garza, K. Green, S. Hollingshead, James Jones, A. Parker, M. Thomas, J.E. Waldon
HPD
Aviation Director Richard Vacar praised these officers for arresting two men who were burglarizing vehicles in the William P. Hobby Airport parking lot. Since those arrests, vehicle burglaries have decreased significantly.

“What’s more these officers work with my staff as well as other airport stakeholders to develop and employ a program to deter all types of criminal activity,” Vacar wrote.