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New year, new Bravos 
Congratulations to Jay Barkdull, Fire, and Andy Kahan, Mayor’s Crime Victims Office, who were named BRAVO! Award winners for excellent work and contributions to the community. Mayor Bill White and Councilwoman Wanda Adams recognized them Jan. 8. For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov. Barkdull and Kahan were also featured in the Jan. 8 Houston Chronicle online blog at www.blogs.chron.com/cityhall/archives/employees/.
Throw him a Parade
Police Sgt. Richard Garcia was an honorable mention in Parade Magazine’s 2007 Officer of the Year awards. Garcia was lauded for leading an undercover investigation against a violent prison gang that culminated in 21 arrests and extensive seizures of cocaine, marijuana, and cash. Over the year, Garcia’s team made 112 arrests.
Preserving their good name
Planning & Development’s historic preservation staff and the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission received the American Planning Association - Houston Chapter’s 2007 Adaptive Re-Use/Historic Preservation award for creating the Old Sixth Ward Protected Historic District.
The Old Sixth Ward, which has the most historic homes in the city, is close to downtown. The increasing interest in redeveloping inner city areas has resulted in a surge of development around and within the district. The creation of the district will protect 210 of the 270 homes from demolition.
Historic preservation staff includes Randy Pace, Thomas McWhorter and Diana DuCroz. Deputy Director Leah Hayes also helped with the preservation effort.
 Statistically speaking, they were very good
Health & Human Services bureau of vital statistics won the 2007 Five-Star Local Registrar Vital Registration Award. The Texas Department of State Health Services presented the award at the 53rd annual Texas Vital Statistics Conference. The award recognizes the bureau for processing and submitting records to the state in a timely and consistent manner with few errors, using Texas Electronic Registry for death registrations, making timely verifications to the social security office, and attending state training conferences.
Firefighters of the year
Fire dispatchers Sr. Capt. Richard Chandler and Capt. Mark Griffiths were named Firefighters of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston. This is the 30th year IIAH recognized HFD firefighters and paramedics who went above and beyond the call of duty in emergency situations. Chandler and Griffiths were presented with a plaque and $500 for their efforts during a fire at a midrise building at 9343 N. Loop East on March 28.
He’s got the vision to win this award
Robert Stigers, Public Works & Engineering, received the 2007 Best of Texas Visionary Award from The Center for Digital Government during a ceremony in Austin. The award recognizes state, county and city government leaders and selected public agencies and leaders for their outstanding information technology innovations and contributions. Stigers was recognized for acquiring and implementing a mobile system to streamline work orders; developing and implementing a Web-based online payment and presentment center that allows customers to make payments online, review account history, and receive paperless bills; acquiring an imaging and document retrieval system; and helping implement a telephone system upgrade for the customer contact center.
Rodeo round up
Parks & Recreation employees rode off with quite a few awards at the Lawn Equipment Rodeo, hosted by the department in November. The rodeo pits employees from parks departments across southeast Texas against each other.
In the plant ID section, Brent Moon won first and Kathy Navarre and Phillip Jennings tied for second. Keith Reagan and Daniel Cerda came in first place in the irrigation section, with Jesse DeBord and Jennings placing third.
In the mower obstacle section, Eduardo Posada and James Vaughn took first place. Masco Allen won first place in the backhoe section. In tug of war, Warren Smith, Jermaine Broussard, and Charles Jackson won second place. Juvenal Robles and Mike Edwards took third place in truck and trailer. Tederrain Powell won first in the nail driving, beating out runner-up Martin Sotelo.
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