Employees Lend a Hand to Habitat for Humanity

CONNECTION
Volume 18, Issue 4
May/June 2016
The Newsletter for Clearwater’s
Bright and Beautiful Employees and Retirees
Employees Lend a Hand to
Habitat for Humanity
By José Patiño
City of Clearwater employees spent a recent Friday painting,
hammering, sawing, measuring and installing as they helped
construct two of four affordable homes being built by Habitat for
Humanity of Pinellas County on Milton Street in Clearwater.
The city’s Diversity Leadership Council, under Diversity and
Equity Services, coordinated the work project with Habitat for
Humanity of Pinellas County. Sixteen city employees volunteered
their time to work on two of the four homes that are under
construction.
The employees that participated include Bill Buzzell, Patti
Deeran, Dieunice Deris, Ben Elbo, Nilda Espinosa, Stephanie
Gilmore, Lisa Goodrich, Tabitha Green, LaShante Keys, Geri
Lopez, Nick Lawn, Judy Martin, Marty Moran, José Patiño,
Jennifer Shannon, Sam Swinton.
Employee Spotlight
Two families
will move
into two of
the homes
soon, and two
additional
families are
expected to
move into
the two other
homes on
Milton Street at
the end of June.
The city’s Economic Development and Housing Department
provided $53,750 for Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County
to acquire the parcel on Milton Street that was
subdivided into four lots and they also contributed
(Continued on Next Page)
Brandi Portalatin, Solid Waste Equipment Operator
Congratulations to Brandi Portalatin who was
recognized as the city’s 2015 Employee of the Year at
an employee recognition luncheon on April 27.
In October 2015, Portalatin drove up to an
accident involving a concrete truck and a car at
the intersection of Memorial Causeway and Island
Way. She angled her truck to block traffic in order
to prevent more damage or injuries. She noticed a
little boy trapped in the back seat of the car. The car door didn’t work, so
she jumped on the car’s trunk and ducked into the broken rear window
to check on the severity of his injuries. Brandi noticed the little boy was
bleeding a little on his hand, so she went back to her truck, got paper
towels and wet them with water. She went back to the car and helped the
boy clean his hand.
Brandi stayed with the boy comforting him until Clearwater Fire & Rescue
arrived. Afterward, she assisted the single police officer in directing traffic.
As a certified EMT, her training came in handy during this time of need.
The city is proud of Brandi and her heroic actions.
In This Issue
Road-e-o 2016 Competition........................................... 2
Tracey’s Pick for Favorite Reads..................................... 2
Cause for Applause............................................................. 2
Public Safety Employees Honored.............................. 3
Diversity Quotes of the Month..................................... 3
Employee Appreciation Night...................................... 3
InterCultural Advocacy Institute Luncheon.............3
True Blue Diversity Day................................................... 3
Personnel Corner........................................................4 & 5
Service Awards................................................................... 5
Police Officer Makes a New Friend.............................. 6
Nursing Moms Get Place to Pump.............................. 6
Well@Work Nutrition Series........................................... 7
Employees of the Month, Team Awards.................... 7
Achievement Awards Luncheon.................................. 7
10K Steps Walking Challenge Kick-off....................... 8
Employees Lend a Hand...
(Continued from Page 1)
$200,000 for the construction of the four homes. Clearwater Gas
partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County for the first
time to provide natural gas service at all four homes.
Tracey’s Pick for Favorite Reads:
“The Gilded Hour,” by Sara Donati
By Tracey Reed
Summer is upon us, and I felt
like indulging in historical
romance. It’s one of my favorite
genres, so I was thrilled to see
that Sara Donati put out a new
book.
New York City in 1883 was as
much of a juxtaposition as it is
now – incredible wealth and
opportunity abutted crushing
poverty and savagery. It was
a city on the rise along with
opportunities for women and minorities that had
never before been seen. In the barely controlled
chaos of Victorian New York, we meet Anna
and Sophie, cousins, doctors and progressives.
Specializing in women, orphans and the poor, both
are strong-willed and determined to do what’s right,
even if it means going to jail.
Road-e-o 2016 Competition
Tough Drivers Bring It at State Road-e-o
By Heather Parsons
During the course of her work, Anna meets four
Italian orphans and the eldest, Rosa, ignites the fires
of memory that Anna has tried so hard to smother.
In the quest to help the orphans, Anna enlists the
assistance of Jack, a detective also drawn to the
orphans. Jack also begins to break down Anna’s
walls, and despite her best efforts, she falls in love
with him.
Sophie has been in love with Cap, a childhood friend,
forever. But his illness separates them as nothing
else could. In overcoming his fear for her, and her
stubborn resolve to leave him alone, both find
strength in each other to do what needs to be done
in order for him to live comfortably.
The city’s Solid Waste Department drove all over the competition
at this year’s Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)
Florida Sunshine Chapter Road-e-o. The event was held April 15-16
at the Seminole County Landfill and featured the finest drivers in
the industry. Clearwater had three first place winners, two second
place finishers and one third place winner. Clearwater also took
home the “Top Gun Driver” award, or best overall driver, for the
fourth year in a row.
James Deluca took home the “Top Gun” award for best overall
driver, and he placed first in the Rear-End Loader category.
Congratulations also go to:
• Arnold Retzer – first place, Tractor Trailer
• Ernesto Rodriguez – first place, Front-End Loader
• John Garakop – second place, Automated Side-Loader
• Rufus Whiting – second place, Roll-Off Loader
• Charles Shuman – third place, Mechanics
This yearly event is held to promote the skills of professional
solid waste drivers, equipment operators and mechanics. The
team will compete against international competition Sept. 3 in
Dublin, Ga. Please congratulate all participants on a job well done
representing the city of Clearwater.
2 Connection, May/June 2016
This is the wonderful story of love and loss, and,
as with all good historical fiction shows a time
through the characters that lived it. Fans of Donati’s
Wilderness Series will recognize characters and
history, but this is set 70 years after the last of the
books, so can also be read by itself.
Cause for Applause
Regina Novak, Wellness Specialist,
wrote an article, “Beware of the Chair,”
that was printed in the March/April
2016 issue of Quality Cities magazine.
Kristi
CheathamPettit,
Gas Sales
Manager, was
awarded for
participating
in the CEO
Direct
2015-2016
program and
graduation ceremony.
Public Safety Employees Honored
By Rob Shaw
6th Annual InterCultural Advocacy Institute Luncheon
By José Patiño
Four public safety employees have been recognized
recently for excellence.
Cpl. Todd Turpack was named officer of
the year by the Clearwater Civitan Club.
He has been with the Clearwater Police
Department since 2004.
Officer George Phillips
was named officer of the
year by the Dunedin/
Clearwater Elks Lodge
1525. He has been with the agency
since 2004.
Officer Cathi Long, who
has been with the police
department since 2004, was named the
school resource officer (SRO) of the year
by the Pinellas County School District.
She has been the SRO at
Countryside High School
for three years.
In addition, Lt. Andrew Hawkins of
Clearwater Fire & Rescue was named
firefighter of the year by the Elks. He has
been with the city since 1999.
Diversity Quotes of the Month from
Diversity and Equity Services
May 2016 – Asian Pacific Heritage
“Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a chance
to learn more about the unique challenges
facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
(AAPI) who are often rendered ‘invisible’ by a lack
of disaggregated data and false assumptions
about the welfare of the AAPI community.” Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
June 2016 – LGBT Pride Month
“Gay Pride was not born of a need to celebrate
being gay, but our right to exist without
persecution.” - LZ Granderson
Employee Appreciation Night
at the Clearwater Threshers
City of Clearwater employees, Clearwater Gas
System staff and City Council members participated
and helped sponsor the 6th annual InterCultural
Advocacy Institute (Hispanic Outreach Center)
luncheon May 6 at the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa.
The event honored three Hispanic students for their
academic achievements under difficult and trying
circumstances. The students recognized were María
González, a student at Osceola Fundamental High School; Anahi
Hernández-Meza, a student at Dunedin Middle School; and Yessica
Carramaya, a student at St. Petersburg College.
Telemundo Tampa staff was presented a Media Award, and the keynote
speaker was Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of the Florida Department of
Health in Pinellas County. Choe spoke about being born in Kuwait,
although his parents are from South Korea. Choe’s family later moved
to Clearwater. While not Hispanic, Choe talked about facing similar
challenges of trying to assimilate to a new country, a new language
and a new culture. He also talked about watching his parents work
hard and putting their children’s future before their own.
More than 200 people attended the annual luncheon that raises
money for the InterCultural Advocacy Institute (Hispanic Outreach
Center), which assists the growing Hispanic community in Clearwater
and works with other agencies to provide services for the Hispanic
community.
True Blue Diversity Day
By Krystie Epperson
The Diversity Leadership Council is
hosting a new event, True Blue Diversity
Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11
at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St.
True Blue
Diversity Day
Saturday, June 11
True Blue Diversity Day will be a
celebration of every community members’ cultural uniqueness.
The event is
Featuring:
10 a.m.
- 2 diverse
p.m. performances,
free and open to the public. There will be live
music,
Live Music
Diverse
Performances
ethnic foods, touch-a-trucks, raffle giveaways
and activities
for
children.
Coachman
Park
Bounce Houses
The council is excited to celebrate the diversity of our organization
Photobooth and
301 Drew St.
Ethnic Food Vendors
community.
Prizes
FREE Admission
Co-Sponsored by:
For more information, call Dieunice Deris at 562-4866 or Judy
Martin at
Clearwater Police Dept.
562-7400 ext. 7409.
Clearwater Solid Waste Dept.
Questions, contact Dieunice Deris at 562-4866 or Judy Martin at 562-4900 ext. 7409.
The Achievement Awards Committee hosted
Employee Appreciation Night at a Clearwater
Threshers baseball game on Friday, April 29.
Employees and their families had a great night at
the ballpark enjoying food, friendship, baseball,
fireworks and a post-game dance party.
Connection, May/June 2016 3
Personnel Corner
Feb. 13, 2016 to May 20, 2016
NEW HIRES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jason Alber, Drafting & Mapping Technician,
Engineering
Nick Gossard, Customer Service
Representative, Utility Customer Service
LaRon Brown, Water Distribution Operator
Trainee, Public Utilities
Gregory Graff, Police Service Technician, Police
John San Antonio, Fleet Mechanic, Solid Waste
& General Services
Phillip Greene, Gas Technician I, Clearwater
Gas
Tonya Sandy, Customer Service Representative,
Clearwater Gas
James Hatten, Fire Inspector II, Fire &
Rescue
Kellen Scott, Police Communications Operator
Trainee, Police
SemieAkeem Hearns, Public Utilities
Technician I, Public Utilities
Nancy Selvick, Police Communications Operator
Trainee, Police
Theresa Hughes, Field Service Representative I,
Utility Customer Service
Nicolette Sepanski, Police Communications
Operator Trainee, Police
Marilyn John, Librarian II, Library
Dominic Sharp, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste
& General Services
Christopher Bennett, Solid Waste Equipment
Operator, Solid Waste & General Services
Lloyd Briscoe, Solid Waste Equipment
Operator, Solid Waste & General Services
Craig Campbell, Recreation Supervisor I, Parks
& Recreation
Daniel Castellano, Parks Service Technician I,
Parks & Recreation
Robert Cundiff, Councilmember, City Council
Matthew Prianciani, Police Officer, Police
Dorothy Curry, Senior Staff Assistant, Legal
Tyler Jones, Water Distribution Operator
Trainee, Public Utilities
Christopher Damm, Water Distribution
Operator Trainee, Public Utilities
Zane King, Tradesworker, Solid Waste & General
Services
Christopher Smith, Stormwater Technician I,
Engineering
Amanda DeWitt, Senior Library Assistant,
Library
Kyle Lantz, Systems Analyst, Information
Technology
Chauncey Swinton, Stormwater Technician I,
Engineering
Michael Dominquez,Solid Waste Equipment
Operator, Solid Waste & General Services
Nicholas Lawn, Economic Development
Specialist, Economic Development &
Housing
Rohan Thomas, Stormwater Technician I,
Engineering
Molly Doran, Police Communications Operator
Trainee, Police
Dale Evans, Parks Service Technician I, Parks &
Recreation
Cody Foster, Gas Technician I, Clearwater Gas
Matthew Fretwell, Field Service Representative
I, Utility Customer Service
Richard Gardner, Public Utilities Assistant
Director, Public Utilities
Vincent Giallonardo, Traffic Signal Technician,
Engineering
Zane Liebrum, Parks Service Technician I, Parks
& Recreation
Kyle McCall, Police Communications Operator
Trainee, Police
Valerie McHargue, Paralegal, Legal
Andrea Moreira, Aquatic Programmer, Parks &
Recreation
Nathan Huffman, Public Utilities Technician I,
Public Utilities
Jasia Shaver, Accounting Clerk, Finance
Jamie Thomas, Solid Waste Worker, Solid Waste
& General Services
Candace Tuetken, Police Communications
Operator Trainee, Police
Kelsey Viars, Police Officer, Police
Lisa Weber, Accounting Technician, Clearwater
Gas
Anelise Wilhelm, Senior Systems Programmer,
Information Technology
Langston Woodie, Police Officer, Police
PROMOTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lisa Baughman, Librarian II, Library
Jevon Graham, Assistant Chief, Fire & Rescue
Richard Bennett, Marine Facility Operator,
Marine & Aviation
Sean Hailey, Police Communication Supervisor,
Police
Andrew Brown, Parking Technician,
Engineering
Kimberly Handville, Personnel/Payroll
Technician, Parks & Recreation
Chris Buehler, Water Plant Operator C, Public
Utilities
Phillip Horne, Water Plant Operator C, Public
Utilities
Chad Bugansky, Service Dispatcher II,
Clearwater Gas
Joshua Jones, Recreation Programmer, Parks &
Recreation
Patrick Carter, Recreation Specialist, Parks &
Recreation
Jeffrey Knight, Parks Service Technician III,
Parks & Recreation
Travis Connolly, Fire Lieutenant, Fire & Rescue
Gary Martinez, Police Sergeant, Police
Denise Sanderson, Economic Development
& Housing Director, Economic Development &
Housing
Nilda Espinosa, Housing Inspector,
Planning & Development
Charles McAbee, Water Plant Operator A,
Public Utilities
Jessica Silveus, Police Communications
Operator Trainee, Police
Tim Ferlanie, Water Plant Operator B, Public
Utilities
Jennifer Milano, Senior Library Assistant,
Library
Robert Skinner, Parking Operations
Supervisor, Engineering
Denisse Goncalves, Police Officer, Police
LiberianMiles, Public Utilities Technician III,
Public Utilities
Yvonne Taylor, City Auditor, Audit
4 Connection, May/June 2016 Brandon Mize, Recreation Leader, Parks &
Recreation
Thomas Murphy, Marine Operations
Supervisor, Marine & Aviation
Ramon Pires, Recreation Programmer, Parks &
Recreation
Eric Rau, Parks Service Technician II, Parks &
Recreation
Arnold Retzer, Solid Waste Supervisor I, Solid
Waste & General Services
Mark Ross, Storeskeeper, Marine &
Aviation
Vasilios Tsanakaliotis, Water Plant Operator B,
Public Utilities
WEDDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRANSFERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chris Hubbard, Cultural Affairs Specialist,
married Emily Parsley on Feb. 27 in St.
Petersburg
Anne Wills, Executive Assistant, married
Gunther Lopez on May 14 in Clearwater
RETIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Terry Avery, Fleet Mechanic Supervisor,
Solid Waste & General Services
Eddie Blackshear, Public Utilities
Technician II, Public Utilities
Cindy Geary, Senior Staff Assistant,
Clearwater Gas
Jada Grabis, Parking Facility and Security Aide, Marine
& Aviation
Jenae Swann, Recreation Leader, Parks & Recreation
Ernesto Vildostegui, Wastewater Treatment Plant
Births . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To Kyle Aldrich, Parking Technician, a son named
Ryan Joseph; and to Angela Aldrich, Staff Assistant, a
grandson, born March 19, weighing 8 lbs. 14 oz., 21.75”
long
Service Awards . . . . . . . .
20 YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Holly Albright, Accounting
Technician, Finance
Michael. Aleksa, Firefighter/DriverOperator, Fire & Rescue
Andrew. Blauvelt, Public Utilities
Supervisor I, Public Utilities
Kevin Bowler, Fire Lieutenant, Fire &
Rescue
To Ed Davis, Arborist, a grandson named Rashad, born
Feb. 10, weighing 5 lbs.
Thomas. Carrick, Assistant Building
Official, Planning & Development
Dale Johnson, Wastewater Treatment
Plant Operator A, Public Utilities
To Pat Pothier, Arborist, a daughter named Chelsea
Nicole; and to Randy Pothier, a niece, born May 10
weighing 8.2 lbs., 19.5” long
Timothy Chaplinsky, Parks Service
Technician III, Parks & Recreation
Konrad McCree, Solid Waste Equipment
Operator, Solid Waste & General
Services
Sympathies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sarah Happs, Fire Medic, Fire & Rescue
Ronnie Melton, Marine Operations
Supervisor, Marine & Aviation
Jennifer Mortell, Librarian II, Library
Richard Nestor, Police Sergeant, Police
Raymond Niski, Police Communication
Supervisor, Police
Tereasa Roose, Librarian III, Library
Russ Shawen, Parking Operations
Supervisor, Engineering
Rosemary Truisi, Aide, Engingeering
To the family, friends and colleagues of J.B. Johnson,
former city commissioner, who passed away March 7
Daniel Mayer, Information
Technology Director,
Information Technology
To the family, friends and colleagues of these retired
city employees who passed away recently:
Theodore Miller, Police Officer,
Police
•
Sarah Orcutt, former Parkette in Police, passed
away April 18
Robert Orton, Warehouse Clerk,
Solid Waste & General Services
•
Joe C. Taylor, former Firefighter/Driver-Operator,
passed away Feb. 22
Debbie Reid, Administrative Analyst,
Parks & Recreation
•
Elmer Willis, former Mechanic Supervisor, passed
away March 12
To Trava Alston, Code Enforcement Inspector, on the
loss of his brother-in-law
WELCOME BACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To Al Basore, Parks Service Technician II, on the loss of
his mother
Brett Jennings, Gas Technician I,
Clearwater Gas
Courtney Schultz, Recreation Leader,
Parks & Recreation
Jennifer Stokes, Aide, Marine & Aviation
Ethan Winger, Marine Facility Operator,
Marine & Aviation
PROMOTIONS (cont.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tim Hulburt, Arborist, Parks &
Recreation
To the family, friends and colleagues of Christine
Favazza, Accountant, who passed away March 6
Tammy Whitham, Fire Medic, Fire &
Rescue
Bob Barry, Courier, Public
Communications
Janet Dorrough, Controller,
Clearwater Gas
To Azzilene Byrd, Transfer Station/Scales Operator, on
the loss of her uncle
To Darian Dublin, Transfer Station/Scales Operator, on
the loss of his brother
Kurt Rodriguez, Police Officer, Police
Kenneth Smith, Stormwater
Technician II, Engineering
Tanya Smith, Police Service
Technician, Police
Shawn Stafford, Station Manager,
Public Communications
Charles ‘Eric’ Wilson, Parking
Manager, Engineering
25 YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To Vicki Fletcher, Code Enforcement Inspector, on the
loss of her grandmother and aunt; and to Brandon
Fletcher, Solid Waste Worker, on the loss of his greatgrandmother and great-aunt
Thomas Mahony, Geographic
Technology Manager, Engineering
To Dan Hollingsworth, Utilities Mechanic, on the loss
of his grandfather
William Brown, Parks Service
Technician II, Parks & Recreation
Allen Tucker, Gas Technician III,
Clearwater Gas
To Kevin O’Neill, Fire Assistant Chief, on the loss of his
brother
Edward Tumber, Librarian III, Library
Kimberly Turner, Senior Police
Communications Operator, Police
To Terrance Scott, Solid Waste Equipment Operator,
on the loss of his mother; and to Rodgerick Scott,
Solid Waste Equipment Operator, on the loss of his
grandmother
Nicole Vitadamo, Senior Police
Communications Operator, Police
To Tim Simecek, Systems Analyst, on the loss of his
mother
Brittany Whitelock, Senior Beach
Lifeguard, Parks & Recreation
To Jean Strandlie, former Account Clerk III in Utilities,
on the loss of her mother
Kyle Wilson, Water Plant Operator C,
Public Utilities
To Erick Swinton, Solid Waste Supervisor II, on the loss
of his step-mother
Larry Williams, Assistant Chief, Fire &
Rescue
To Tom Wiggins, Parks Service Supervisor I, on the loss
of his brother
30 YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Linda Ratcliffe, Library Assistant,
Library
William Valveri, Police Major, Police
35 YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donald Melone, Engineering
Specialist I, Engineering
Nancy Scott, Senior Staff Assistant,
Planning & Development
Mark Smyth, Fire Lieutenant, Fire &
Rescue
Connection, May/June 2016 5
Police Officer Makes a New Friend
By Rob Shaw
Nursing Moms Get a Break, Private Space to Pump
By Heather Parsons
Nursing mothers who work in the Municipal Services Building now have a private,
quiet place to tend to their maternal duties while on the job.
The office previously occupied by Stacy Lambert, the city’s onsite Cigna
representative, is now the MSB’s new nursing room. If you’ve nursed your baby
and need to pump at work, you know how important it is to find a quiet place to
pump. If a new mother is able to pump regularly at work, her chances of making it
to the one-year mark (or more) are much higher.
By law, employers are required to provide a reasonable break time for a new
mother to express milk, as well as the employer must provide a location, other
than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and intrusion from coworkers and
the public.
“Although we have been meeting this requirement for years, we never had a
permanent location at the MSB for this purpose,” said Michelle Kutch, Human
Resources Manager. “Over the years, the room location has changed several times.
We now have a permanent place, solely dedicated to nursing moms, where it is
comfortable, private and is not used for any other reason. All nursing mothers
throughout the city should be afforded the same type of room at their work
location.” You can contact Michelle if you need assistance designating an area at
your work location as a nursing room.
The room also includes nursing and parenting books to read while pumping,
lactation services information and breastfeeding resources through BayCare.
An accident scene can be a scary place for kids,
especially when their grandmother is involved.
But it’s made a lot more bearable when Sgt.
Dan Devol is on the case.
That’s what 4-year-old Gabriel Boos learned
recently when Sgt. Devol and the youngster
crossed paths after a three-car accident at
Belcher Road and Drew Street.
Gabriel’s grandmother was involved in the
crash and had to be taken to the hospital. The
child could not ride in the ambulance with his
grandmother, so Sgt. Devol had to keep him
company until his father could get there to pick
him up.
Sgt. Devol decided it was best to get Gabriel
away from the wreckage, commotion and
gawkers at the accident scene, so he took him
inside the nearby Achieva Credit Union. With
the help of the branch manager, Sgt. Devol
hung out with Gabriel, drew pictures and shared
hot chocolate until the boy’s father arrived.
New mothers also have resources available to them through Cigna. For example,
you can get a free breast pump through Cigna. If you’re pregnant, make sure to
request yours at least two months before your due date, as it takes two to four
weeks to receive it.
If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, you might want to
know about Cigna’s Healthy Pregnancy and Healthy Babies, an incentive awards
program. If you sign up by the end of your first trimester, you receive a $150 gift
card at the end of your pregnancy or a $75 gift card if you register in your second
trimester. A nurse will call you throughout your pregnancy, ask health-related
questions, and answer any questions you may have related to your pregnancy.
Cigna can also help you find a pediatrician in the network, and there are online
tools at mycigna.com to help you track your pregnancy week by week.
If you have questions about the room or available resources for pregnant or
nursing moms, call Human Resources at 562-4870 or Stacy Lambert at 562-4503.
Well@Work Nutrition Series
By Regina Novak
Coming up throughout the summer,
the Well@Work Nutrition Series:
It’s safe to say that both made a new friend that
day.
Fast Food at Home: Looking for fresh ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and
snacks that are healthier and are super quick? Then you will love this session!
The photo and post on the police department’s
Facebook page reached more than 27,000
people; dozens commented on the great
gesture by the police sergeant.
Healthy Eating on the Go: This is perfect for those who travel on the job,
spend evenings at the ball field, or who simply love to eat out.
“You are a great person and police officer,” wrote
one. “Thank you for everything you do.”
“Glad he could comfort the boy in a time of
need,” wrote another. “Those look like genuine
smiles.”
6 Connection, May/June 2016
How to Get More Veggies: Learn how to include more veggies in our daily
diet, as well as the importance of antioxidants to protect our health.
Raising a Healthy Eater: How you can do this given the environment we
live in? This talk will give you useful and encouraging answers.
Mindful Eating: Learn about what mindful eating is and how to apply it.
Lunch will be provided for all lectures. Dates and locations to be announced.
For more information, contact Regina Novak at 793-2339 ext. 238 or email
regina.novak@myclearwater.com.
Downtown Bike Outreach Team wins
Team of the Year Award
EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to the Clearwater Police
Department’s Downtown Bike Outreach Team
that was awarded the Team of the Year award at
an employee recognition luncheon on April 27.
Two days before Thanksgiving 2014, the
Downtown Bike Outreach Team was contacted
about a woman who had been living in her car
outside of the library. The team found out that
the 70-year-old woman lost her home in May. The
team made phone calls to get her out of her car
and into some place safe temporarily, while they
continued to find her a permanent home.
They helped her fill out forms for senior housing
and Section 8 housing. In December, the library
staff saw this woman again and she looked
fabulous, thanks to the efforts of this wonderful
team.
Team members included John Connor, Justin
Howard, Rodney Johnson, Jason Jones,
Shannon Kasparek, Ryan McMullen, Jesse
Myers, Lesa Phillips, Chris Pranschke and Brian
Whitehead. Congratulations to the team!
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
Tim Ferlanie
Water Plant Operator B
Public Utilities
Timothy Downes
Sergeant
Police
David Pearson
Library Technology Specialist
Library
TEAM AWARDS
MARCH/APRIL 2016
Ft. Pierce Response Team, Clearwater Gas
Achievement Awards Luncheon
The annual Achievement Awards recognition
luncheon was held April 27 at the Clearwater Sailing
Center. Employees who won awards throughout
2015 were recognized, and the employee and team
of the year were announced.
Team members include:
Andrew Biscardi, Chris Brown, Kyle Cresci, Dennis Coley,
Creighton Harvey, Donnie Packer, Bill Robinson and Kyle Smith
MAY/JUNE 2016
Splash Team, Solid Waste
Team members include: Mike Helm and Harold Davis
Connection, May/June 2016 7
10,000 Steps Walking Challenge Kick-off
More than 300 employees participated in the American Heart Association’s National
Walking Day on April 6. The walk kicked off the city’s annual 10K Steps Challenge.
Many employees took part in the crazy hat/crazy hair theme.
Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
is produced bi-monthly by the Public
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Joelle Castelli Executive Editor
Krystie Epperson
Editor/Designer
CONNECTION
P.O. BOX 4748 • CLEARWATER, FL • 33758-4748
727.562.4681
George N. Cretekos, Mayor
Doreen Caudell, Councilmember
Dr. Bob Cundiff, Councilmember
Hoyt Hamilton, Councilmember
Bill Jonson, Councilmember
Bill Horne, City Manager
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