JANUARY 30, 2013
Scottsdale honors its employees
SCOTTSDALE – Fire Engineer Ray Morris was named the 2012 recipient of the Herbert R. Drinkwater Award and Scottsdale’s Fire Marshall, Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ford was named the recipient of the Bill Donaldson Award at the city’s annual awards ceremony today.
The Drinkwater award, in its 15th year, goes annually to a Scottsdale city employee or employees who set an outstanding example through their volunteerism and dedication to serving others.
Morris has made an impact by volunteering and advocating for fathers who have children with special needs through an organization he created in 2001. Morris has a child with special needs, and as a parent, recognized the need for strength, mutual support and shared wisdom, but noted a distinct lack of community resources. This led Morris to form Dads 4 Special Kids.
Through his selfless dedication, Morris offers support groups, one-on-one support, training programs, workshops and family resources in the belief that no one should raise a child with special needs alone.
“This employee fully embraces the values of the Herb Drinkwater Award,” said Mayor Jim Lane in presenting the award. “He truly cares about making a positive impact within our community and is a wonderful role model for the fathers and families he helps and supports.”
The Drinkwater Award is named in honor of the city’s former mayor, who served four terms and became one of the most popular elected officials in the state. Drinkwater retired in 1996. He died of cancer in 1997.
Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ford received this year’s Donaldson Award, named after a former city manager. The award is given annually by the Scottsdale city manager to an employee or group of employees who show great vision and innovation, help others through humanitarian efforts and work as team-builders.
“Jim Ford is an individual who defines ‘public servant,’ representing a group that is one of the core functions of city government,” said Acting City Manager Dan Worth. “His pioneering research and advocacy on behalf of mandatory sprinkler systems has established Scottsdale as a national and international leader in fire safety.”
Scottsdale Acting City Manager Dan Worth and the city’s executive staff presented the following awards to individuals for exhibiting traits embodied in the eight Employee Values. The recipients were:
• “Be Accountable and Act with Integrity” – Court Efficiency Team: Carron Close, Julie Dybas, Jeffrey Landrum, Angela Rose and Janet Wraspir.
• “Collaborate as a Team” – Enhanced Public Safety and Communications Team: Anthony Brewer, Steven Cerqua, Milan Dobras, Joseph Gallina, Jennifer Jensen, Kevin Kilday, Eric Lawrence, Christopher McDowell, Thomas Melton, Steven Muhle, Steven Powell, Kevin Sonoda and Carey Tolle.
• “Focus on Quality Customer Service” – Plumbing Maintenance Team: Miles Bublik, John McKeever and Louie Rabago.
• “Learn and Grow Continuously” – Paiute Early Childhood Team: Julia Bautista, Leslie Matus, Marie Raymond, Norma Saldana and Ana Valadez.
• “Listen, Communicate, Take Action” – Downtown Maintenance Team: George Bouzanquet, Bernardo Corrales, Hayden Lancaster, Jody Peters, Steven Petryszyn, Christopher Walsmann and Jose Zazueta.
• “Plan and Innovate” – Library Planning Team: Dana Braccia, Kathy Coster, Carol Damaso, Aimee Fifarek and Cheryl Thomsen.
• “Respect the Individual” – Sheila Williams
• “Show Caring and Compassion” – Joanne Meierdirks
