Summer 07
Vol. 12 No. 3

Marching off with the March Bravo

Congratulations to Roberto Medina, Public Works & Engineering, Hiawatha Henry, Library, and Chadwick Little, Solid Waste Management, who were named Bravo Award winners for excellent work and contributions to the community. Mayor Bill White and Councilwoman Ada Edwards recognized them March 20. For more, visit www.houstontx.gov.

She’s literally a lifesaver
The Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross presented the Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder to Ana Gerstle, Parks & Recreation. This is the highest award the Red Cross gives to professional rescuers who save a life while on duty. On Nov. 9, Gerstle was working at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center when she performed CPR on Earl Linscomb, who had collapsed near the pool. She kept him alive until an emergency medical squad arrived and transported him to the hospital.

Safety City
At its annual awards luncheon, the National Safety Council Texas Chapter presented awards of honor for no lost-time injuries to: City Controller’s Office, City Secretary, Housing & Community Development, Information Technology, Municipal Courts-Judicial, and Planning and Development. Fourteen departments received awards of merit for reducing lost-time injuries by 10 percent or more.
Roman Boutte, Building Services, 21 years; Tim Pok, Aviation, 25 years; Chan Seth, Aviation, 26 years, Joe Jerez, Parks, 24 years; and Robert Quiroz, 21 years; were honored for 20-plus injury-free years in labor-intensive jobs. Also, Officer Barbara Gastmeyer and Sgt. Rickey Dalme were honored for 24 years and Sr. Officer Kit Carson honored for 23 years driving with no accidents or violations.

A LEEDing expert
Wendy Teas Heger, Building Services, was quoted in ARCHITECT Magazine and in The Construction Weekly Engineering News-Record. In both, she discussed the city’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified projects.

KidFit fit for an award
Debra Lathan and Shadston Pittman, Parks & Recreation Department, accepted the 2007 Texas Cardiovascular Health Award at the Hotel Galvez. The award was given to the department in recognition of KidFIT, an initiative to engage children 6 to 12 in outside activities and health education.

His speech wasn’t a disaster, though
Rich Barrett, Employee Assistance Program manager, spoke at the National Disaster Medical System conference on Behavioral Health Force Protection March 23 in Nashville.

No wee water awards
Joe Goodman and Emory Gallagher, Public Works & Engineering, were honored at the Texas Water Utility Association’s conference in Austin. Goodman was given an award for excellence in education and training in customer service. Gallagher was recognized with the 25 Years of Service Award and was inducted into the Double A Club, the highest environmental quality certification offered by the state.

She aces the award
Emily Schaefer, tennis director for Parks & Recreation, received the Eve Kraft Community Service Award from the United States Tennis Association. The association recognized her willingness to go above and beyond her job in developing programs, managing volunteers, and mentoring young players.

A special award for a special worker

At the opening ceremony for this year’s Senior Olympics, the Jewish Community Center of Houston presented Kay Joshua, Parks and Recreation, with an award for her 19 years as the event’s coordinator.

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