BALTIMORE — The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) has selected Ms. Natasha Neale, Recycling Program Associate, as its fourth “Employee of the Year”. The annual awards ceremony was held today at a ceremony in the War Memorial Building in downtown Baltimore.

Ms. Neale is an exceptional employee who always goes the extra mile when performing her duties. She quickly responds to citizens’ concerns, even when the issue does not involve recycling.

Ms. Neale stated: “Being a recycling associate for the City of Baltimore gives me a chance to be the difference I want to see. The environmental health of our City is fragile, and my job gives me a chance to provide a necessary public service to the City and our environment.  By working with residents, businesses and various non-profits to think of ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, I become a protector of our communities and waterways. Every day I have the opportunity to exercise my environmental stewardship by making Baltimore cleaner and greener.”

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake took note of the appropriateness of the location for today’s ceremony, the War Memorial Building, as we honor this Memorial Day weekend those who gave their lives in the service of the nation. She praised the daily dedication of Public Works employees, and especially pointed out their performance during the severe winter weather.

Department of Public Works Director Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., made note that this is National Public Works Week, the theme of which is "Community Begins Here." In praising the nominees, Director Chow stated: “The dedicated employees of DPW support the health, environment, and economy of our City and the region by providing customers with safe drinking water and keeping neighborhoods and waterways clean.”

In addition, Larry Stevens, P.E., President of the American Public Works Association, addressed the audience on the vital importance of public works on the country’s citizens every day.

DPW established the Employee of the Month program in May 2011 to recognize and encourage high quality work and service to Baltimore City residents and customers by Public Works employees. Every month, an employee is honored from the Bureaus of Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater, and DPW Administration. From these employees, six finalists were nominated for the Employee of the Year Award.

In addition to Ms. Neale, the finalists were:

Ms. Loretta Brown, Secretary II in the Special Projects Division,
Mr. Nicholas Frankos, Manager of the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant,
Mr. Ronald Parks, Operations Engineer in the Bureau of Water and Wastewater,
Ms. Shelly Payne, Data Entry Operator II in the Office of Compliance and Laboratories, and
Ms. Tina Walker, Office Supervisor in the Bureau of Solid Waste.

An employee committee reviewed the nominations, interviewed the candidates and ranked them. The criteria included customer service, relationship with co-workers, contribution to the community, etc.

As Employee of the Year, Ms. Neale receives three day paid leave, and engraved clock or plaque , one night’s stay at a downtown hotel , a gift certificate for Fogo De Chao, tickets to an Orioles game, and $500. Gifts were donated by local businesses or paid for by members of DPW’s executive staff. The Mayor’s Office presented the winner with tickets to Cirque de Soleil.