Novermber 9, 2004

Contact: Natalie Millner (718) 595-6600

New York City DEP to Honor Staff at 21st Annual Employee Recognition Day

For the first time participants will be entertained by a newly formed band of DEP musicians called the Drips who will perform an original song, I DRINK THE WATER

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Commissioner David B.Tweedy will preside over DEP’s 21st annual Employee Recognition Day Ceremony. The ceremony will take place on November 10, 2004 at DC 37 headquarters, located at 125 Barclay Street . Breakfast will be served from 9 – 9:30 am .

This event is part of “A Quality of Work Life Labor-Management Event,” that recognizes union members who have committed their work lives to promoting the environmental health and safety of millions of New Yorkers who are served by DEP. The City’s Quality of Work Life Program is a citywide project operating in many New York City agencies. It is sponsored by the New York City Productivity Council, which is co-chaired by Deputy Mayor Mark Shaw and Executive Director of District Council 37, Lillian Roberts. Awardees include members of nineteen of the City’s unions.*(see list)

Acting Commissioner Tweedy said, “DEP is one of the City’s largest agencies. Our activities are wide-ranging and our staff comprises many levels of excellence. We want to thank DC 37 and the Quality of Work Life Program for convening this ceremony. It is an important way for us to recognize and say thanks to members of our staff who are committed to the multitude of services we provide every day that keep our City running at its most efficient levels. I also want to give special thanks to those who have won awards for outstanding service to the agency this year.”

This year, over 1000 honorees will receive awards for length of service ranging from 15 to 55 years of service, and perfect attendance awards will honor staff who have not used any sick time during the calendar year. Additionally, Environmental Health & Safety Awards will be made to Thomas Mills and Joseph Wisneski. Excellence in Service Award will be given to Kevin Buckley, Kevin Caulfield, Edward Costa, Thomas Howell, Frank Ivone, Mark Krasnopolski, William LeClair, Ashraf Matt-Awad, Brain McCallion, Thomas Nellis, Denish Preshaud and Mark Ravatto, and Heroic Awards will be made to Curt Simon and Gerard Tangredi.

The musicians in the DRIPS band are Stephen Musso, Bass, Bill Maggiulli, Guitar, Mickey Sasko, Mandolin from the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations, John Lento, Drums, from Management and Budget and Cecil McMaster, Reggae impressionist vocals, from the Office of Information Technology.

*UNIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEP QWL PROGRAM