This month's featured department: Administrative & Regulatory Affairs
Summer 08
Volume
17 Number 2

 

Magnum Opus Award winner 2008

Customer Service Excellence
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J. De Los Santos
Police
A man broke into her apartment and sexually assaulted her, a woman wrote.

It was the most devastating experience of her life, but detective J. De Los Santos’ gentle yet firm manner put her at ease, enabling her to be open and honest without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.

“While the perpetrator has yet to be apprehended, I am confident detective De Los Santos will remain dedicated to the task of protecting other victims and providing closure for me and others,” she wrote. “This is not the best way to meet one of your finer officers, but I am thankful I did.”

 

Playful Illustration

J. Dominguez Jr.
Police
Missouri City Police Officer Saul Luera stopped a car on West Fuqua near the Fort Bend Toll Road. When the driver rolled down his window, the smell of marijuana escaped from the car, so Luera told the driver to get out. The driver opened the door and ran off, Luera wrote.

Down the street, Officer J. Dominguez Jr. saw what happened. He chased the driver for two blocks, Luera wrote.

“His character and professionalism show the type of officer he is,” Luera wrote. “His quick thinking and judgment helped me bring the suspect into custody quickly.”

 

Charles Barner
Police
After they flew into Hobby Airport, John Eckel and his wife discovered their car had a flat tire. The wheel’s special lock nut had been stripped by a previous tire change, so he couldn’t get the flat off the car, Eckel wrote.

When Officer Charles Barner noticed they weren’t able to fix the tire, he bought a pump that worked off the lighter outlet and a pressurized can of tire sealer. The Eckels reimbursed Barner and inflated the tire enough to drive to their Galveston home.

“Officer Barner was everything that could be expected of an officer,” Eckel wrote. “He was calm, extremely courteous, and very helpful, using his own ingenuity and experience to find the right solution for us.”

 

Michael Martin
Legal
Whenever Shepherd Forest residents have issues regarding deed restrictions, they call Michael Martin, wrote Ray Haley.

“He has addressed our civic club about deed restrictions and enforcement,” Haley wrote. “He returns our calls promptly and answers our questions. We couldn’t ask for anything more.”

 

James Nimene
Planning & Development
James Nimene’s aid was invaluable in helping residents of his neighborhood get a special ordinance passed, wrote Juan Manuel Nieto.

“He was always cordial, he responded to our inquiries in a timely manner, and was always eager to help guide us and explain any unclear business,” Nieto said. “I have dealt with many individuals in the past, and unfortunately, their work ethics are nothing close to the work ethic that James displayed.

“The city has a real asset in James.”

 

Toy Denman
Public Works & Engineering
After other city employees couldn’t find a solution to his water usage problem, Toy Denman patiently resolved it, wrote Judge Russell Austin.

“Her understanding and determination speaks highly of herself and the Public Works office,” he wrote. “She is a breath of fresh air in our bureaucratic world.”

 

Tiffany Pham
Public Works & Engineering
Although Al Valencia has dealt with city employees for more years than he’d like to mention, he’s never come across one as accommodating and professional as Tiffany Pham.

“She never makes you feel your inquiries are an imposition, and when she says she’ll call you back, she will definitely and promptly return your call, and always with the answers you need, be it good or bad,” Valencia wrote.

“The city should feel proud to have such an outstanding individual they can call their own.”

 

Terry Hobbs
Public Works & Engineering
Terry Hobbs’ knowledge and professionalism are impressive, said Gary Gerson.

Gerson has several commercial accounts, and he was confused about the application process. Several times, he called for help, but he felt like he wasn’t getting anywhere, Gerson said.

Then, he reached Hobbs. “She was like a breath of fresh air,” he said.

“After talking to her, I was confident that I would get through this. She was helpful, intelligent and just plain remarkable.”

 

Pat Smith
Municipal Courts Administration
When Sister Bernadette Beyner had an issue about a citation, Pat Smith listened and then went the extra mile to resolve it, wrote Sister Bernadette.

“You have an excellent employee in Ms. Smith,” wrote Beyner of the Congregation of Divine Providence in San Antonio.

 

E.L. Pleasant
Solid Waste Management
E.L Pleasant was very helpful,” said resident McMurray. “He’s a fine gentleman and a model city employee who always does a wonderful job.”

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