DARRIN GREEN

PRESIDENT

NASSAU COUNTY SHERIFF GUARDIANS

PHONE 516 909 3864

GUARDIANS HOTLINE 1 800 935 3640 EMAIL DGREEN36@HOTMAIL.COM

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER KELLY PRESIDE OVER GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR 1,519 NEW POLICE OFFICERS

Largest Class Since 2005; Recruits Come From 58 Countries and Speak 65 Foreign Languages

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today presided over a graduation ceremony for 1,519 new police officers at Madison Square Garden. The graduates recently completed over six months of intensive training at the Police Academy and will be assigned to Operation Impact, the program that pairs rookie officers with experienced supervisors and deploys them to targeted high-crime areas.

“It’s been another unforgettable year for the NYPD: two terrorist plots foiled, a smooth handling of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 amid significant security threats, and a massive mobilization to help evacuate citizens during Hurricane Irene,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Despite all those challenges, the department still succeeded in keeping New York City the safest big city in the country. Today’s graduates will build on that success. Earlier this month, we were tragically reminded of the bravery required to join the NYPD and the kind of heroes that make up the department. Good luck, and congratulations again to you and your families. May God bless and protect each of you and may God continue to bless the NYPD.”

“Members of this class were born in 58 countries, and speak 65 different foreign languages,” said Commissioner Kelly. “In their enthusiasm for this city and this country, these new officers have chosen to contribute to civic life. They are joining an outstanding team. Their fellow officers have driven crime down by 35 percent in the past ten years, and in the past twenty years, they’ve achieved what’s been deemed a Guinness Book of World Records crime reduction.”

There are 136 members of the class who have prepared for their careers by serving in other positions within the New York City Police Department. Of them, 72 served in the Police Cadet Corps, 32 were School Safety Agents, 29 served as Traffic Enforcement Agents and three were Police Communication Technicians. In addition, 134 served in the military. Approximately 24 percent of the graduates are Hispanic, 13 percent are black, 8 percent are Asian and 54 percent are white. Approximately 13 percent of the graduates are female.

Mayor Bloomberg presented the Mayor’s Award to Police Officer Eric W. Levy, for earning the highest overall average in today’s class. In addition, Police Officer Robert J. Miller received the Police Commissioner’s Award for earning the second-highest overall average, and Police Officer Alexander A. Bustamante received the First Deputy Commissioner’s Award for earning the highest academic average. Police Officers Kevin J. Brabazon and Megan A. Mayrose received the Chief of Department’s Award for earning the highest physical fitness runoff average. Police Officer Adam G. Geslak received the Deputy Commissioner of Training Award for earning the highest firearms proficiency average. Police Officers Ethan T. Clyde and Michael A. Gammone received the Commanding Officer’s Award for exceptional police duty. Police Officer Earl J. Morgan received the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Award as outstanding company sergeant. Police Officer Donald L. Daal received the New York City Police Foundation Award for exceptional community service.

Out of the class, 64 of the candidates speak one of 65 different foreign languages and 265 of the candidates were born outside the United States, in 57 different countries:

December 23, 2011

MAYOR BLOOMBERG DELIVERS EULOGY FOR SANITATION WORKER THOMAS LERMAND

The following are Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s remarks as prepared for delivery at the Guarino Funeral Home in Brooklyn:

“Thank you, Monsignor. This morning, at public buildings all across the five boroughs, New Yorkers will see flags flying at half-staff. If they ask you why that’s so, tell them that it’s a tribute to one of New York City’s Strongest – who happened to be one of our kindest, too. The man we’re here to honor today: Tommy Lermand.

“So Barbara, Kelly, Karen, Loretta, Richard: like you, we’re all saddened to lose Tommy. And speaking on behalf of 8.4 million New Yorkers, we’re also incredibly grateful for the 16 years of dedicated service he gave to the greatest city in the world.

“For the people who mattered most to him, Tommy went all out. That included everyone he worked with on the early shift at Garage BK 18 – the guys he invariably greeted with a smile at each morning roll call. They’ll tell you that Tommy was always giving – never taking.

“If you pulled into the garage parking lot with your car brakes squealing, Tommy was right there with his toolkit, saying, ‘Hey, let’s change the pads; you don’t need to pay a mechanic.’ And he was always generous with his seemingly bottomless supply of store and restaurant coupons. A tireless bargain-hunter – and maybe a bit of packrat, too – he had a real thing about coupons. He kept stacks of them everywhere: in his car; in his day bag; in his locker. A good guy to know during the holiday shopping season – or any time of year.

“But coupons weren’t all you’d see in Tommy’s locker. Pride of place there, and in his wallet, went to his photos of you, Barbara. And of you, Karen and Kelly. And in recent years, of the little granddaughter that he doted on too: you, Mia.

“The women in his life meant a lot to him. How much? Well, Tommy had an allergy: cat hair. If any of you suffer from that allergy, you know it’s really no fun. But Barbara loves having cats. So Tommy took allergy medication and shots, without complaints so she could have the pets she adores.

“And he always closed out his end-of-the-shift phone calls to her with these words: ‘I love you, baby.’ One of the guys overheard that once, and then asked Tommy: ‘How come you never tell us that?’ Well, he did care about you all – just not that way.

“Tommy was loyal to his friends and loving to his family. But there was one thing that he was truly head-over-heels about: model trains. They were a childhood passion that he was lucky enough never to outgrow.

“He collected them, and traded them, in all sizes and models. He read up on them in magazines, and while browsing the internet. If there was a model train convention in town, you’d find Tommy there. No holiday season would be complete without a trip to the Bronx to see the fantastic model train show at the New York Botanical Garden. And when he got in the mood, he’d run some of his own trains on the tracks he would set up through his home in Holliswood.

“He loved his models – and he also dreamed even bigger. Recently, Ray Holloway, his longtime truck partner, showed him an old photo. Ray was eight years old, and sitting in a train cab, engineer’s cap planted on his head, next to his dad, a railroad fireman who was letting Ray ‘drive.’ Tommy’s eyes got as big as saucers. And it wasn’t too long before Tommy started planning a vacation at a train ‘fantasy camp,’ where he could make his own dreams of driving the real thing come true. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it – not in this lifetime, anyway. But if there’s any justice, then in his next life, Tommy will be barreling down the tracks somewhere soon, with a big grin on his face.

“Those are some of the things that we’ll remember about this good and decent man. And let me add this as well. Long before dawn on this December morning, Sanitation crews were out on our City streets, making them cleaner and safer for us all – just as Tommy did for 16 years. The work that he did so well – and that many of you do, too – is hard and demanding. And it makes a huge difference for our city. It enables the rest of us to enjoy everything New York has to offer.

“Sometimes, it’s taken for granted; people don’t remember often enough what an important job it is. But I want you to know that I’ll always respect everyone who’s part of the best Sanitation Department anywhere. So may God bless the memory of one of our Strongest, Tommy Lermand. And may God bless and protect you all.”

NYCD CORRECTION

BRING "WE CARE GIFTS" TO PATIENTS AT

BRONX-LEBANON HOSPITAL CENTER

December 2011 News Story by Ralph E. Smith- Reporter Guardian Chronicle.Com

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Holiday

January 17, 2011

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others."
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength in Love