Port Authority and PATH Employees December 12, 2014/Volume 13/Number 49 the Ernesto L
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PA NEWS Published weekly for Port Authority and PATH employees December 12, 2014/Volume 13/Number 49 The Ernesto L. Butcher EOC Is Dedicated he Port Authority this week dedicated its Emergency Operations Center to its longtime Chief Operating Officer Tand 41-year career public servant, the late Ernesto L. Butcher. A plaque to honor his memory was placed at the EOC at the PA Technical Center and another in the Board Room at 4 World Trade Center. During the December 8 ceremony, Chairman John Degnan Mike Dombrowski lauded Mr. Butcher’s service to the agency, including his efforts to rally his colleagues and reopen key transportation facilities following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Mr. Butcher died in May, two years after retiring from the PA. Chairman Degnan said, “Today’s dedication will ensure that Ernesto Butcher is forever remembered as one of the most Unveiling the plaque at the dedication ceremony at PATC on December 8 are (from left) Mr. Butcher’s daughter, Mijha dedicated, exemplary public servants in the Port Authority’s storied Godfrey, and his wife, Kristen Peck Butcher. Chairman John history. His mastery of Port Authority operations was second to Degnan is at right. none, but perhaps more remarkable was his ability to lead with extraordinary poise and grace under extremely trying and difficult circumstances. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on.” Vice Chairman Scott Rechler said, “Ernesto truly embodied the spirit and determination of the thousands of men and women who work day in and day out to operate our facilities and keep this region moving. Today’s dedication will ensure that Ernesto’s spirit and determination will never be forgotten.” Mr. Butcher’s widow, Kristen Peck Butcher, spoke in acknowledgement of the memorial to her husband, and one of his Continued on page 5 CSO to Retire Board Authorizes Port Cargo Volume 2015 Budget On Record Pace he Board of Commissioners he Port of New York and New this week adopted a fiscally Jersey set a new record for responsible $2.9 billion monthly cargo volume in October, Alan Hicks T T operating budget and a $3.6 surpassing the previous monthly billion capital budget that funds record of 306,051 shipping containers critical infrastructure at the agency’s handled in August 2013. The October Joe Dunne was honored at the December trade and transportation facilities. volume of 306,805 containers also 10 Board meeting for his honor, integrity, Including debt service, the 2015 keeps the port on pace for a record- and exemplary leadership skills. budget totals $7.8 billion. breaking year in 2014. The operating budget continues to The increase was driven by a hike oseph Dunne – the Port hold expense growth at 1.8 percent in import loaded containers, up 1 Authority’s first Chief Security – below the rate of inflation – and percent over the previous best month JOfficer who formed its first reflects continued fiscal discipline on record. centralized Security Department to while allowing for increased Port Commerce Director Richard enhance public safety at the agency’s investments in several critical areas, Larrabee said, “While the improved transportation facilities – will retire including facility maintenance economic conditions across the country effective January 9. and initiatives to enhance the play a large part in our success story, competitiveness of PA facilities. we’re equally pleased that the entire Continued on page 4 Continued on page 5 Continued on page 3 PATH Weekend Prince and Duchess Visit the WTC Service To Resume ritain’s Prince William and his ATH weekend service on the wife, Catherine, Newark-to-World Trade Center B laid flowers this week at Pline will resume with the the National September reopening of the WTC and Exchange 11 Memorial at the World Place stations starting December 20- Trade Center. Alan Hicks 21, following nearly a year of intensive Accompanied cleanup and work to install new by Chairman John computerized signals. Degnan, Deputy Chief Since February, about 280,000 of Capital Planning/WTC square feet of metal tunnel surfaces Construction Director At One World Trade Center (from left), Chairman Degnan, and equipment were power washed Steven Plate, WTC Mr. Plate, Mr. Guzi, Prince William, and Catherine, of salt residue left by Superstorm Duchess of Cambridge. Redevelopment’s Glenn Sandy floodwaters, corroded metal was replaced, and thousands of feet Guzi, and Memorial & Museum President and CEO Joe Daniels, the couple of new cables were placed for the crossed Memorial Plaza in pouring rain and wind and laid a bouquet at one of signal system. the two reflecting pools built in the footprints of the twin towers. Sixty-seven PATH Director/General Manager British citizens were killed at the site on 9/11, the most of any foreign country. Stephen Kingsberry said, “These After paying their respects at the southern pool, they spent half an hour repairs and upgrades, while viewing the exhibits at the 9/11 Museum, as well as its Memorial Hall, with tremendously inconvenient for our its wall of blue tiles representing all the 9/11 victims and those who died in riders, are absolutely vital to ensuring the 1993 bombing. In the nearby “In Memoriam” exhibit, where visitors can a state of good repair, undoing the leave a message or signature with a stylus on an electronic tablet, both signed, corrosive damage from Sandy, and writing “Catherine” and “William” in script. making critical safety upgrades to the Before leaving, the Duke and Duchess also visited One WTC, where they PATH system.” admired its soaring lobby. Mr. Kingsberry praised the dedication and sacrifice of PATH employees and consultants, who put Board Honors Bob Sudman in long hours since last winter helping to rebuild the rail system. he Port Authority Board The PA, like other mass-transit of Commissioners paid systems around the nation, is working Ttribute on Wednesday to to meet a federal mandate to install Audit Director Robert Sudman a Positive Train Control system to in recognition of his more than help reduce human or mechanical 35 years of “dedicated and distinguished service” to the Port errors and provide added safety. PTC Alan Hicks is an enhanced signal technology that Authority. automatically applies a train’s brakes if “We congratulate Bob Sudman an accident appears likely. on his upcoming retirement, the Board tribute said. “Since Floodwaters in Sandy’s aftermath Bob Sudman (right) is honored by the Board at destroyed much of the substantial joining the Port Authority in Wednesday’s meeting. He is retiring from the work PATH had completed on the July 1979, Bob has been a agency on January 2. PTC system, requiring replacement of strong leader and consummate those components and significantly professional, having served in setting back the agency’s schedule numerous financial positions throughout his career, including Deputy and and budget. The Federal Transit Acting Comptroller, prior to being appointed Director of the Audit Department Administration helped the Port in November 2010. Bob leads by example, and he holds himself and his staff Authority recoup those financial losses. to the highest standards of excellence in the management of the agency’s More work remains and is expected audit function. As Director of Audit, he has improved the effectiveness of to be done during additional weekend internal controls to limit agency risk and protect agency assets. Bob’s friendly outages in the second half of 2015 demeanor, which enables him to motivate those around him, will truly be on the Journal Square-33rd-Street-via- missed. It is with sincere gratitude that we recognize and honor Bob Sudman Hoboken line, along with completion today for his 35 years of dedicated public service to this agency and the of remaining work on the Newark-WTC region it serves.” line. Visit www.panynj.gov/press-room to read more. PA News / December 12, 2014 2 JFK TAS Thanks PA Officers Get the Message Out ort Authority Police Officers Nancy Its Volunteers Farrell and Danny Perez recorded Psecurity awareness radio spots in English and Spanish at a recording studio in Photos: Connie Nardella Manhattan last month. The spots are running on various stations through January 1. Robbyn Stewart The script: “This is Officer Nancy Farrell of the Port Authority Police Department asking you not to let your guard down this holiday season. Whether you’re riding PATH, traveling through a terminal, crossing the Hudson, or catching a plane, here are some safety tips: FK’s Travelers Aid Services Keep your wallet in an inside coat pocket hosted its Annual Volunteer and never leave your bags unattended. And JRecognition Luncheon on remember to scan your surroundings. If you December 4 at Lumix Restaurant see anything suspicious, tell a Port Authority in Lynbrook, where nearly all of the Police Officer or call 800 828-7273. Thank 100 volunteers attended. you, and happy holidays.” TAS Program Manager Jane Funding for the ads was provided by Mrosko performed her now- grants from the U.S. Department of traditional feat of announcing Homeland Security. the names of each and every attendee, including (from left) TAS International President Dave Asselin, JFK Airport Operations Manager PATH Has a Winner April Gasparri, and JFK Landside ersey City eighth grader Services Manager Sean Porter. Tiffany Fahmy was Travelers Aid volunteers help Jnamed the winner of passengers who have limited or no PATH’s annual Holiday Poster funds, become separated from family Contest on Tuesday for her or friends, or have immigration issues artwork depicting flags of the or language barriers. world on a holiday ornament. Mike Dombrowski The P.S. 11 student’s poster will be installed and Port Cargo Volume displayed in PATH stations and on rail cars throughout On Record Pace the holiday season.