Published by and for the Employees of the Water & Sewerage Department VOL. 24, NO. 1 SUMMER 2007 Restoring DWSD’s past

by Michael Daisy Vintage image of Public Affairs gate from DWSD archives The Hurlbut Memorial Gate has been the public face of

DWSD’s Waterworks Park Affairs Public Gomez, Paul by Photo since 1894, when Detroit was Affairs Public Gomez, Paul by Photo known as the Paris of the Midwest and the park was a popular destination for tourists from around the world. The memorial is expected to be restored to its original glory by the end of September when restoration efforts currently in progress are expected to be complete. A crew works on restoring the 103 year-old Hurlbut Gate. Chauncy Hurlbut, the memorial’s namesake, was a member of the Board of Water On his death in 1885, Hurlbut style popular in Victorian picnics, is now locked for Commissioners (BOWC) from bequeathed most of his times. It measures 132-feet security reasons. Two working 1861-63, and 1868-85. He estimated $250,000 estate for wide by 40-feet deep by 50- water fountains in the shape of served as BOWC president for beautification and mainte- feet high, and cost $30,000 to lions’ heads were, at one time most of his second term and nance of the park. build (equivalent to more than situated at either end of the presided over the acquisition $650,000 today). structure. Twin staircases lead of the park’s original 56 acres. The Memorial Gate actually to a second level 12 feet above The park, currently 110 acres, served as a grand entrance to Sadly, the cast iron gate, the ground. A stone eagle has been a continuous source the park when it was open to through which park visitors proudly sits on top of the of high-quality drinking water the public. It is classified as once leisurely strolled on their dome, which rests on columns. for Detroit since 1877. Beaux Arts, an architectural way to band concerts and A bronze bust of Chauncy Hurlbut sat on an Aberdeen granite pedestal beneath the Annual Renaissance Awards Construction is scheduled to dome until 1975, when it was Upper Rouge presentation in June in the begin in 2008 on the $500 stolen by vandals. “Community Relations” and million Upper Rouge Tunnel Tunnel “Direct Mail/Direct Re- Project and take six to seven Project sponse” categories. years to complete. The Inside . . . seven-mile-long tunnel will Recognizing Veterans...... 2 The Renaissance Awards run on a course roughly by Michael Daisy recognize best practices in parallel to the Rouge River. National Arts Pgm...... 4 Public Affairs communication management, It will divert heavy storm marketing, public relations, flow away from the River to Summertime...... 6 DWSD’s Upper Rouge writing and art, and design. the Wastewater Treatment Tunnel Project is receiving The Awards are sponsored by Plant. The Tunnel is ex- Service Award...... 8 honors for excellence even the Detroit chapter of the pected to reduce the number before construction begins. DWSD workers help one of 14,000 member International of annual Combined Sewer their own...... …...... 9 The Department received Association of Business Overflow events to the two awards during the 26th Communicators. Rouge to one from 55. Angels without wings ...... 11

SUMMER 2007 WATER POWER 1 10-N-30 Club winners by Louise Bannerman Marilyn King (WBB) Public Affairs Tracey Mack (JMB) Cheryl Ramcharan (WWTP) Once the smoke cleared after Rebecca Scruggs (FE) City of Detroit the final weigh out in March, Dan Smigels (CSF) Kwame M. Kilpatrick, Mayor there were 12 winners out of Tina Sumner (WBB) Detroit City Council the 26 who weighed in for the Jewell White (WBB) Kenneth V. Cockrel, Jr. spring 2007 edition of the 10- Michelle Wright-Bailey pounds by the time of their President N-30 Club. The lucky 12 (WBB) final weigh-out 30 days later, Monica Conyers were: they split the pot with the President Pro Tem The 10-N-30 Club is a twice- other winners. The size of Sheila M. Cockrel Louise Bannerman (WBB) yearly (spring and fall) shares depends on the number Barbara-Rose Collins Nancy Dorsey (WBB) tradition at DWSD. Entrants of winners. Winners hope to Brenda Jones D’Andre Ford (FE) pay $10 into the pot to weigh take out more than they put Kwame Kenyatta David Hensley (WBB) in. If they lose 10 or more in. Martha Reeves Alberta Tinsley-Talabi JoAnn Watson City Clerk Recognizing Veterans Janice M. Winfrey

There is a very real DWSD recognized for serving connection to Iraq in the their country. The list will form of co-workers and the be published in a future children of our co-workers. Water Power, hopefully That’s why we thought it the fall 2007 edition. Detroit Water & Sewerage Department VOL. 24, NO. 1 SUMMER 2007 would be a good idea to recognize the members of We currently have a few DWSD BOARD OF WATER our DWSD family who are names, but want to do COMMISSIONERS something more complete. honorably serving (or have Mary E. Blackmon served) our country. This is strictly non- President political. We are honoring Marilynn E. Gosling If you served (in Desert individuals. We need Vice-President Storm or Iraqi Freedom), names, photo if available, Jimmy L. Cooper have family members who branch of service, current Kenneth R. Daniels served, or know co-workers job title (or family Hilliard L. Hampton who did, let us know about connection), and seniority Carla Walker-Miller it. We will add the names date – DWSD as well as William G. Westrick to a list of those being city if applicable. • • • Victor M. Mercado Director

PRODUCTION STAFF River update S.R. Boland Quotable Michael Daisy Paul Gomez Barry Jennings “He who Linda Philson The Black Lagoon is no more. there. For many angers you Mary Sevakis In June, the infamous, years, it served as a convenient conquers you.” Gregory Smith polluted corner of the Detroit dumping ground for McLouth – Elizabeth Kenny River in Trenton was renamed Steel, located just upstream. WATER POWER Ellias Cove, for Howard While the plant was closed in is published Ellias, whose family donated 1995, a nine-foot-thick layer “Don’t look quarterly by the the land for the adjoining containing approximately Public Affairs Division Meyer-Ellias Park. 30,000 cubic yards of contami- where you fall, Water Board Building nated sediment remained. but where you 735 Randolph, Suite 1001 The cove’s former disparaging Detroit, MI 48226-2830 moniker came from the color Sediment removal will cost an slipped.” phone: (313) 964-9570 of the oil released into the estimated $9.3 million. – African proverb fax: (313) 964-9580

2 WATER POWER SUMMER 2007 Audiovisual section wins top award by Betsy Spratt an international competition Public Affairs that recognizes outstanding work in the communications The Audiovisual section of the fields for audio, video, and Public Affairs Division print media. The Award of recently received three Excellence is presented to Communicator Awards for professionals who are the best outstanding work in the in their field. The Award of communications field. Two of Distinction recognizes projects the three were Awards of Photo by Paul Gomez, Public Affairs that exceed industry standards. Excellence – for Honorable Mentions are given cinematography and to entrants who meet the high information – for coverage of standards of the industry. the Detroit International Auto Show. The third was an Award As winners of the of Distinction for the “Mayor’s The 2006 ceremony was the time DWSD has garnered the Communicator Awards, the Time” segment that aired on 13th annual presentation of the event’s top honor, the Award Audiovisual section joins an DWSD’s “Division Spotlight” Awards. It was the fourth year of Excellence. exclusive list of video on Detroit Cable TV channel that DWSD has participated in professionals recognized as the 10. the event, and marked the first The Communicator Awards is best in the industry. New masters at DWSD by Suzanne Stapleton The two new graduates Neither Barnett, nor Gaffney Commercial Operations invited their coworkers to a plan to use this noteworthy belated celebration of their accomplishment as an excuse Carolyn Barnett, Customer achievement because, “their to rest on their laurels, Service Representative I of support was instrumental in especially Barnett. Carolyn DWSD’s Customer Phone helping us reach this goal,” continues to be deeply Center, earned a Masters of said Barnett. Singled out for committed to her work at Business Administration and special mention were fellow Greater Apostolic Faith Entrepreneurial Management Customer Service Represen- Temple in Detroit, where she Photo courtesy of Carolyn Barnett Degree from Davenport tatives Alicia Smith, has been appointed to the University in December. She is MBA gratuates Carolyn Barnett & Leslie Gaffney (R) Michelle Walker, Annette board of Directors. Barnett also pictured with Leslie Gaffney, Keith, Tina Regan, Patricia serves on the Executive Board Customer Service Representa- Bowerman-Jackson, and of Ministerial Alliance with tive I, who also graduated in Degree in Strategic Manage- Annie Kuykendall. the title of “Evangelist.” December with a Masters ment.

She’s out of here!

by Suzanne Stapleton Commercial Operations

Janet Romeo, Customer Service Representative II, is flanked by some of her co-workers on June 1, her last day on the job in DWSD’s Customer Service section. Left-to-right: Annie Kuykendall, Carolyn Barnett, Janet Romeo, Anjanette Myers, and Leslie Gaffney. Friends and coworkers gathered to say goodbye and celebrate Romeo’s 19 years of faithful service with a lot of laughter and a few tears. Jan is looking forward to spending a lot of her newfound leisure time with her family, which includes four sons and eight grandchildren!

SUMMER 2007 WATER POWER 3 Third Annual Detroit National Arts Program by Suzanne Stapleton Commercial Operations

This year marked the third annual collaboration of the National Arts Program (NAP) and the Detroit Recreation Department to give city employees and their families the opportunity to display their art and compete for Prize-winning entry - Jesse-Cathline Nichols- Beverly Welch- prizes. The NAP was created in “Padua.” artist proud mom 1983 to give aspiring artists a venue to display their works professionally. Commercial Division’s Welch had an entry of her her works have won prizes in Tammy Keith. own, “St. Thomas,” a photo- local exhibitions. Prize winners were honored at graphic image of the island an awards banquet at the Account Management’s taken during a Caribbean Maria Hensley’s “El in late April. The Beverly Welch is another cruise in 2005. Corazon” and Andres works (more than 50 of them) proud mom. Her daughter – Hensley’s “Totem Pole Guy” were then displayed at the Jesse-Cathline Nichols, who Kay Francis Moore, of were also featured. Maria and Skillman Branch of the Detroit begins her senior year at Cass Commercial Division’s Andres are the wife and son of Public Library throughout Technical High School this fall Collection’s Unit, won David Hensley, Plant May. – won First Place in the Youth Second Place and $200 in the Maintenance Subforman at Division and $100 for her Professional Artists category the Water Board Building. Entries by DWSD employees drawing “Padua.” She plans to for her photograph, “Givemy and family members included study fashion design in New in April.” She spent 10 years an Honorable Mention to York. Her painting, “A at the Detroit Institute of Arts Kenneth Keith II for two Woman’s Delight,” was before coming to DWSD. drawings entered in the featured at the 70th Annual Moore earned her Bachelor’s Amateur Youth division. Detroit Public Schools Student in Fine Arts from Wayne State Kenneth, 11, is a sixth grader Exhibition at The Detroit in 1986, and is disciplined in at University Preparatory Institute of Arts earlier this drawing, painting, sculpture Academy. His proud mother is year. and photography. Several of Big Apple performance

on poems written by by Michael Daisy Her mother, Deborah women who lived Public Affairs Palmer, is a Senior Data from the 11th through Processing Telecommuni- 14th centuries, and Shaunte’ Brown took a bite out cation Technician in the embracing a of the Big Apple in May when Information Systems spectrum of cultural the “Achiever Ladies En- Network Group at diversity: Indian, semble” performed at Carnegie Wastewater. Palmer, a 20- German, and Hall in New York City. The year DWSD veteran, is Japanese. Ensemble is a choral group justifiably proud of her made up of students from the daughter’s achievement. “This was a great Detroit School of Arts High experience for these School (DSA) where she is a Brown and the rest of the young ladies. It’s not Junior. Ensemble performed an often that you hear inspiring rendition of the good things our Shaunte’ (who is shown Stephen Paulus’ “Songs of students are doing in isolated from the other mem- Meditation” with the New the Detroit Public bers of her Ensemble) was part England Symphonic School System. So, of the group shot above, which Ensemble. “Songs of this proud mom was captured outside Carnegie Meditation” is a spiritual wanted to share this Hall on the day of the perfor- suite comprised of six Photo courtesy of Deborah Palmer fantastic news,” said mance. sections, or songs, based Palmer.

4 WATER POWER SUMMER 2007 Connor Creek is honored for excellence Kudos

Doris E. Butler – Customer Service Representative II, The state-of-the-art Connor Commercial Operations – Creek facility became was singled out by one of the operational in 2005, and is Department’s retail customers one of ’s largest for helping her to obtain a final meter reading. Butler went out CSO treatment facilities. It of her way to get the can treat up to 2.2 billion customer’s information during gallons of overflow, and her lunch break, and was eliminated three outfalls to praised for her communication Photo courtesy of Khamis Al-Omari Khamis of courtesy Photo the Detroit River. skills, dedication, and ability to get “the job completed in a A unique feature of this reasonable amount of time.” award-winning location is Louise Bannerman – Office the 76,000 square-foot fish Assistant III, Public Affairs – habitat constructed in helped straighten out a billing nearby Maheras Gentry concern for a Detroit Park, a 52-acre public homeowner mistakenly space abutting the grounds charged for 207 units of water. of the treatment facility. Bannerman brought the issue DWSD’s Mirza Rabbaig and Terry Moore (2nd and 3rd from to the attention of DWSD’s left) are flanked by Khamis Al-Omari (far left), Curt Courter The habitat has added Field Investigation unit, which and Charlie Hocking (far right) of Hazen and Sawyer. immeasurably to the park’s resulted in a credit of nearly recreational utility. $1,000.

by Michael Daisy Mt. Pleasant. The award is DWSD received the Lynnette Boyle of the Sterling Public Affairs presented annually by the Environmental Manage- Group was glad she contacted ment Association’s new Assistant Director American Council of Terrence D. King earlier this Engineering Companies of Environmental Achieve- year after the Detroit DWSD’s Connor Creek Michigan and the Michigan ment Award in 2003 in Downtown Development Combined Sewer Overflow Society of Professional recognition of its efforts to Authority contracted Sterling to (CSO) Control Facility Engineers. It is the highest minimize the impact of resolve some maintenance received the 2007 Honor- honor in the organizations’ dredging operations on the issues on four buildings in able Conceptor Award for Engineering and Surveying Detroit River during Harmonie Park. King, who was construction. Superintendent of Water Engineering during Excellence Awards pro- Systems Maintenance and ceremonies in February in gram. Construction at the time “…responded promptly, professionally and followed through on solving our (water- Life is good related) problems…” by Suzanne Stapleton attraction was immediate. given a surprise shower Gwendolyn Card – There was conversation and organized by a small group of Commercial Operations Commercial Operations Specialist I, Commercial phone numbers were ex- conspirators led by Bethany Operations – helped a Michaela Cleckley – Cus- changed. They learned they Batie, Stephanie Hogue, customer straighten out a tomer Service Representative had much in common, Sylvia Mosby, and Knyiesha billing problem that resulted in III, Commercial Operations – especially a strong faith, love Carroll. There was much a refund of $29,149.56. can’t believe how much her of sports and music of all laughter, a few tears, and Lovette M. Jackson, Pastoral life has turned around. All her types. Suddenly, life was several gifts, both naughty and Assistant/Office Manager for St. Elizabeth R.C. Church on energies had turned inward, imitating art from a song by nice. East Canfield in Detroit said focusing on church, her sons Etta James, “My lonely days the assistance she received and grandchildren since her are over, and life is like a Life is, indeed, good. from Card “made this very acceptance of the widowhood song.” * long process very pleasant” imposed on her by the illness and called her “a wonderful that claimed her husband’s life Their whirlwind courtship was * from “At Last” – by Harry Warren asset to the … Water in 2003. followed by a quiet exchange and Mack Gordon Department.” of nuptials on March 5. Then came that fateful day last November at Eastland Mall Michaela’s co-workers were when she caught the eye of delighted by the news. When Dannell Williamson. The she returned to work she was

SUMMER 2007 WATER POWER 5 It’s Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime… Water Safety Tips Health More than 4,000 people of all services in ages (mostly children) annually lose their lives in Michigan drowning accidents in the Hot Weather Pet Safety United States. Most of these Michigan Go Local is a Don’t forget about the welfare tragedies are preventable. The project launched in of the four-legged members of following tips will help you January 2007. Their Web your family. “The Michigan and your children safely enjoy site provides a comprehen- Humane Society (MHS) your summer: sive listing of health reminds pet guardians to keep services available in their animals’ comfort and · Never leave a child alone Michigan broken down by safety in mind this summer. near water: a bathtub, the county and city. The whole As always, MHS recommends pool, or at the beach. It only health-care enchilada in that pets live indoors with takes seconds for a tragedy to one place. occur. their owners. However, if hours. Be sure to provide · Learn to swim, and swim animals are left outside for plenty of cool water before, The project is a component well. Enroll children over age any length of time, it’s critical during, and after exercise. of a larger initiative called three in swimming lessons. that they have access to shade · Avoid hot concrete or “MedlinePlus Go Local” Don’t forget about older and fresh, cool water. When asphalt surfaces. These can created by the National children. They tend to the weather is especially hot damage or cause discomfort to Library of Medicine and overestimate their swimming and humid, animals should an animal’s paw pads. National Institutes of skills, or underestimate the be brought inside,” said · Do not leave animals in Health to help people depth or speed of water. Nancy Gunnigle, MHS parked cars. Even on a locate health services · Know how to perform CPR. communications manager. relatively mild 85-degree day available in their local If your child is 13-19, make in the shade with the windows communities. sure he or she knows as well. The following tips will help cracked, temperature inside a · When boating, make sure pet owners who keep animals car will reach 120-degrees in The site doesn’t quite every passenger is wearing a outdoors safeguard their pets’ minutes. Your dog’s or cat’s cover the range of avail- U.S. Coast Guard-approved health in summer, especially body can only tolerate the heat able services from A-to-Z flotation device. Store some in extremely hot and/or a short time before it becomes because there’s nothing extra gear aboard in a humid weather: a life or death situation. currently listed for “Z”. watertight container that What is covered for Wayne · Outside pets need plenty of · Your animal’s coat provides floats: flashlight, extra County is A (Abdominal water and ample shade/ protection from both cold and batteries, matches, a map of Pain) to Y (Yoga Programs) shelter. Animals exposed to heat, and helps prevent where you are, flares, sun- with hundreds of listings in extreme temperatures that sunburn. After consulting your block, first-aid kit, and extra between including experience rapid panting and veterinarian, you may want to sunglasses. Alzheimer’s Disease, lethargy may be suffering heat consider shaving the fur of Asthma in Children, Dance exhaustion. Symptoms can thick-coated dogs and cats Sources: Therapy, Faith-based include restlessness, excessive down to one-inch to prevent About dot com Programs, Poison Control, American Academy of Pediatrics thirst, dark tongue, rapid discomfort in hot weather. Thoracic Surgeons, and American Red Cross heartbeat, vomiting, or lack of Some breeds like Siberian much, much more. You can Arizona Department of Health coordination. If you notice Huskies should never be Services even find listings for such symptoms, immerse him shaved. Loyola University Health System health care services in cold water, or pour cold · When camping, hiking or at Mayo Clinic available in other states. National Safety Council water over him, and contact the beach, a nontoxic sun- your veterinarian block containing zinc oxide as University of Missouri Extension Visit http:// immediately. an active ingredient can be migolocal.blogspot.com/. · Avoid exercise or vigorous applied to areas susceptible to Click the “Michigan Go activity with your pet during sunburn, such as light-colored Local” link, then “Services the heat of the day. If an noses, belly, or tips of the ears. by Location”. For local animal’s body temperature services for any one of gets too high, irreparable For more information, visit Michigan’s 83 counties, brain damage or death can www.michiganhumane.org, or locate the county on the occur in a short amount of contact Stephanie Baron at map of Michigan and click time. Limit shared activities (248) 799-7479. on it. It’s easier than it like jogging or long walks to sounds. Check it out. early morning or evening Source: Michigan Humane Society

6 WATER POWER SUMMER 2007 Lead awareness by Greg Smith down the road by making sure Gire el folleto Public Affairs para la traducción en Español. the job is done right. You probably can’t start an EPA’s For more information about argument by walking into a Protect Your lead and lead poisoning, visit crowded bar and announcing Family From the National Safety Council that lead is harmful for Lead In (www.nsc.org), the U.S. children and other living Your Home Environmental Protection things. Most people will and Agency (www.epa.gov/lead/, likely agree with you or, want Keep It Clean: also click the link for “Addi- to know exactly what point An Insider’s Guide To tional Resources”), the you’re trying to make. Lead-Safe Painting And Home Consumer Product Safety Improvement Commission (www.cpsc.org), Lead is especially harmful to or the U.S. Department of children. Lead poisoning can Housing and Urban Develop- cause a long list of problems ment (www.hud.gov). including mental retardation, impaired educational perfor- of homes built when lead in buy? If you live in an older For more information specifi- mance, as well as impaired paint and plumbing fixtures home (or have tenants living cally about HUD technical nerve and muscular develop- was commonplace. in an older home you own) guidelines for evaluation and ment, and the list goes on. For with lead based paint, be control of lead-based paint example, did you know that Renovations careful. If proper precautions hazards in housing, visit the lead poisoning at an early age Are you considering upgrad- aren’t followed when the old following link: http:// can lead to osteoporosis in ing your home by taking windows are removed, you can www.hud.gov/offices/lead/ later life? advantage of one of those end up with lead-based dust guidelines/hudguidelines/ deals where you get one distributed throughout the index.cfm. Lead is a big concern in window free for every home. Avoid consequences Detroit because of the number however many windows you Your Health A cure for makes it harder for blood clots doctor before undertaking any in sensitivity to their surround- Alzheimer’s that can cause heart attacks Aspirin regimen. ings seems to have made them disease? and strokes to form. smarter,” said Dr. James Bibb, Turning off the assistant professor of psychia- Get ready to be inundated by There has been some corrobo- Alzheimer’s gene try at the University of Texas ads about aspirin as a wonder ration of the EJCP study from There’s more potentially good Southwestern Medical Center, drug that wards off researchers who studied brain news thanks to an who headed the study. Alzheimer’s disease. Recent nonsteroidal drug usage by unrelated study published in studies conducted by The more than 3,000 people in the journal Nature Neuro- “It’s pretty rare when you can European Journal of Clinical Utah either developing or science. Scientists successfully make an animal smarter,” he Pharmacology (EJCP) claim diagnosed with full-blown switched off a gene associated said. that people who take a low, dementia. On the other hand, with Alzheimer’s disease in daily “dose of aspirin for findings were questioned by mice bred in the lab giving rise Not only smarter but, better at several years reduce their risk another study of 6,000 older to the likelihood for new drugs tasks based on associated of developing Alzheimer’s by women who took regular and treatments that will control learning. “(That is) the most 13 percent.” doses of 100 milligrams of a disease that robs people of important kind of learning in aspirin. Researchers claim their sense of self. the animal kingdom. It’s how Alzheimer’s disease is caused cognitive skills of those we know where our car is and by inflammation that disrupts women were no better than The gene, Cdk5, is linked to that is our wife or our husband proteins in the brain. Re- participants given a placebo. Alzheimer’s and other diseases and that’s our kids. It’s how searchers believe aspirin and distinguished by a die-off of we connect things,” he said. possibly other nonsteroidal, And the debate goes on. Stay neurons in the brain. anti-inflammatory drugs such tuned. as ibuprofen or Advil can The mice with the turned-off Sources: CNN, The New York disrupt the process. Aspirin has other known side gene appear to be smarter. Times, Cynthia D. Mulrow, MD. effects. It can cause stomach “Everything is more meaning- Aspirin is recognized as a bleeding and ulcers. That’s ful to these mice. The increase blood-thinning agent that why you should consult your

SUMMER 2007 WATER POWER 7 Service Award Recipients

April 2007 May 2007

Recognized for Shajahan, Water Treatment service Chester Plant Operator (30 years). L. Adams, Not present were Ralph Principal McCarty, Field Operations Governmental Supervisor (30 years); Analyst (25 Michael Lewis, Assistant years); Chief of Water and Sewerage Security Administration (25 years); Daniel G. Levi Sr., Service honorees featured in Plant Operator (25 years); . Not pictured: Industrial Wastewater this group shot (L-R) are Not shown: Richard A. Bova, Terry G. Valentine, Head Systems Investigator (25 Richard Nowak, Auto Repair Stores Operations Supervisor Water Plant Operator (25 years); Walter Lockhart, Plant Foreman (25 years); Ernest C. (30 years); Phillip M. Olson, years); Patricia A. Maintenance Mechanic (25 Alix, Water Treatment Plant Engineering Support Specialist Thompson, Customer years); Jarvis Ray Nelson, Manager (30 years); Odia II (30 years); Andrew Whidby, Service Representative III Wastewater Process Hunter, Auto Repair Foreman Head Sewage Plant Operator (25 years); Ricky Dew, Plant Controller (25 years); and (25 years); Harold W. Collins, (25 years); Munshi R. Maintenance Foreman (25 John M. Thomas, Draft Head Sewage Plant Operator Galhotra, Engineer of Water years); and Thycodathu Technician III (25 years). (30 years) and Terrance Moore Systems (25 years). Sr., Assistant Head Sewage

Annual party a hit by Eva M. Hawkins one was up on the dance floor. Jennings, Jacqui Jennings, Security The men and women were Felicia Johnson, Rodney dressed to the nines (do they Johnson, Tashia Kelly, Angel Out of curiosity several still say that?). Mason, Cora Riley, Carol years ago, this writer Rizzo, Chequita Scott, attended DWSD’s Kudos to the committee LaTanya Smith, Danni Retirement Party. responsible for bringing this Stillwell, and Andrew Whidby. That’s what it was event together (coordinators called back then, and it Marilyn Smith, Linda Philson, In closing, Security was on the was held at Cobo Hall. and Tara Danforth-Brown). job and looking smart. Your The event has been Ladies, you did a wonderful reporter can be forgiven for renamed the “Annual job. Everything was posh from displaying a tiny bit of bias Party” and this year’s beginning to end. towards her coworkers, can’t edition lived up to the she? name. It was a Par-Tay! And let’s not forget the volunteers without whom If you have never been to the This year’s party was there would have been no Water Department’s Annual the second in this party: Michael Andrews, Party, you’re missing a writer’s 27 years as an em- received a souvenir bag Louise Bannerman, Harry wonderful evening of safe, ployee of the Water Depart- containing two coffee mugs. Bullard, Rick Dew, Lynwood enjoyable, entertainment. ment. This one was held at The Elmore, Paul Gomez, Aquanda Roostertail, and you better The 36 retirees who attended Green, Loraine Griffin, Benita believe it was good. were honored and then every- Hamilton, Alma Harris, Barry

The room was decorated magnificently. The food was delicious and served buffet style. You could even go back for seconds. And did we mention the dessert table?

For $25, ticket-holders received a meal, two drinks, all the soda, juice, and coffee you could drink, and entertain- ment. There were lots of raffle prizes and, each attendee

8 WATER POWER SUMMER 2007 DWSD workers help one of their own by William Ware renting. Debra is currently OPMA living in temporary housing while she searches for When it comes to helping out something appropriate and one of their own, it’s hard to more permanent, either a beat DWSD employees for house or apartment in Detroit. generosity. They certainly She hopes to find something came through for Debra close to Children’s Hospital Westbrook, an Administrative where Marvin – who has Specialist I in DWSD’s Office Cerebral Palsy, a neurological of Program Management disorder that usually presents Assistance, or OPMA. Debra in early childhood or infancy and her family suddenly found – receives treatment for his themselves out of house and special needs. home in April because of a devastating fire. Debra has spent most of her 28 years with the City of Fortunately, the house was Detroit at Water. Before empty when the fire occurred. coming to OPMA in 1996, Still, all of Westbrook’s she spent time with Contracts belongings, in particular Debra Westbrook, an Administrative Specialist I and Grants, Industrial Waste clothing, was either burned or Control, and Commercial. She damaged by soot, and she was also spent two years at Detroit pretty much left with what she to other needed items, includ- Even though the fire only City Council where she was a had on her back. ing 25 dresses and 15 shirts for destroyed things that can be secretary for Council Member her son, Marvin, 20. She was replaced, the loss of her home Nicholas Hood. Debra’s co-workers pulled “overwhelmed by the generos- was heartbreaking because it together contributions totaling ity of DWSD, and considers it a was newly purchased in 2004 more than $1,000 in addition blessing.” after many long years of

In Loving Memory

LaHoma Sparkman with them at dinner last Romeo Cleofas Cruz March 28, 1939 – February 20, 2007 December. It was May 23, 1943 – March 30, 2007 disappointing to hear that she wasn’t feeling well, Mr. Cruz is a former Anyone who knows any but we didn’t think much DWSD employee who details about Mr. Cruz’ about it since she was worked for the DWSD career is urged her usual upbeat self that department for about to contact Water Power day. So, it was both 10 years. Information editor Mike Daisy at surprising and sad when is incomplete, but we 964-9493 or we learned that she had have been advised [email protected] for the passed in February. that he may have purpose of doing a She will be missed. been assigned to the proper memorial of our There is perfect joy and beauty Wastewater Treatment co-worker. In this everlasting light. Ms. Sparkman worked as Plant as part of (from memorial) a Service Guard. She was assigned to the Engineering. Mr. Cruz You could always depend on Central Services Facility was separated from LaHoma Sparkman to bring at the time of her the department as a homemade chicken and dumplings retirement. result of a disability with her to the annual Security retirement. He is Christmas Dinner. Although Ms. Sparkman was retirement separated her from her preceded in death by her survived by his wife, former co-workers, she was always husband. She is survived Flordeliza Cruz. there for the annual dinner. by two children, a grandchild, and, of Members of Security were course, members of her privileged to have Ms. Sparkman DWSD Security family.

SUMMER 2007 WATER POWER 9 When Water Works Park was in its glory

by Michael Daisy Public Affairs

The silver spoons pictured here are from the col- lection of Cathy Daisy, who began collecting Detroit memorabilia about a year ago. Her collec- tion includes depictions of many locations that, sadly, no longer exist, like the old city hall in Campus Martius, and the stately old post office building.

All of Daisy’s Waterworks Park spoons, as well, focus on lost treasures like old Pumping Station No. 1, and the 185-foot tall standpipe, once the world’s second tallest man-made structure. Still, collectables focusing on the Department’s oldest location serve as proof the park was once not only open to the public, but a popular tourist attrac- tion, as well.

The “souvenir spoon craze” in the U.S. began around 1890 and lasted for around 30 years. The decade of the 1890s is recognized as the golden age of spoon collecting because more patented designs were issued in that one decade than the combined total issued before or since.

Like many American hobbies of the Victorian era, spoon collecting was British inspired. The Brit- ish version dates from around the time of the Crys- tal Palace Exhibition in London in 1851. Mar- keters created then willingly fed the demand for souvenir spoons that travelers purchased as me- mentos of their visits to noteworthy destinations.

Two American silversmiths – M.W. Galt of Wash- ington, DC, and Seth F. Low of Salem, MA – are credited with transplanting the European “fad” to the U.S.

Of course, the real question remains unanswered. Who first thought that fancy flatware would be a good way to memorialize a visit to a tourist at- traction?

Source: Antiques and Art Around Florida

10 WATER POWER SUMMER 2007 Angels without wings by Eva Hawkins Security eyes began saving my life. They are my rolling back in heroes. God always has an Angels and heroes aren’t my head when angel around!” always easy to recognize, but Johnny put his some of them work for arms around Barney said he was on his DWSD. Just ask Valerie me and way to the vending machines Wilks, who works for ABM performed the to get a juice to go with his Janitorial Services at the Heimlich lunch when he saw Virgona Central Services Facility. maneuver. He and Wilks. She was coughing squeezed so and crying. “Her eyes had Never mind, let her tell you photo by Paul Gomez, Public Affairs what happened in the Photo by Paul Gomez, Public Affairs hard he lifted rolled back in her head. I lunchroom in April: me off the knew something was floor. The pill Johnny Barney, Valerie Wilks, and Tony seriously wrong,” he said, “So “I wasn’t feeling well, so I Virgona share a bond. popped out. I performed the Heimlich took some medication. I put a procedure I had seen pill in my mouth, but it got “It took me a performed on television. stuck in my throat. I tried to “About this time Johnny few minutes before I could push it down with my finger, Barney (Water Systems breathe normally, but when I “It was several minutes before with no luck. I started losing Repair Worker) came into was able I couldn’t thank she could breathe normally my breath. Tony Virgona the room. I was unable to talk them both enough. If they and talk but,” he said, “when (Electrician) was nearby and so I gestured with my hands. hadn’t been there I might she did she kept calling Tony saw my distress. He tried to Tears were running down my have died. and me her heroes and that help me by hitting me on the face and I was losing it. That’s God had sent her angels.” back several times, but still when Johnny hit my back, but “I would like to thank Johnny the pill stayed stuck. he was also unsuccessful. My Barney and Tony Virgona for

A wonderful gift

Not long ago, Chuck Jackson Jackson, who began giving III received a wonderful gift blood in the 1970s, about the similar to the one given to time he came to DWSD, George Bailey in the 1946 donates four or five times a holiday classic It’s a Wonder- year. “I love giving,” he said, ful Life. Like George, Jackson “I think I’m on my fourth or was given the opportunity to fifth gallon of blood.” see how his life affects others. Sickle Cell Anemia is so

Jackson, a General Auto named because of the shape of photo by Paul Gomez, Public Affairs Mechanic assigned to DWSD’s the red blood cells that West Yard garage, met Preston distribute oxygen in the body. Robinson, 13, at “Meet Your Match,” an event sponsored by Normal red blood cells are Children’s Hospital, and the round and move freely. Sickle American Red Cross at the cells are banana or crescent has become “a normal child” Qualified blood donors must Charles H. Wright Museum of shaped. They tend to get stuck, since he began receiving be in general good health, African American History in restricting blood flow and monthly transfusions about weigh at least 110 pounds, and February. oxygen to extremities and three years ago, according to at least 17 years of age. For organs. The reduced flow can his mother, Melisa Robinson. more information, call 1-800- Preston has Sickle Cell cause severe pain, organ GIVE-LIFE or visit Anemia, a debilitating disease damage, anemia, and, in severe Jackson, who has been www.givelife.org. that affects one of every 12 cases, stroke. Roughly two involved in department blood African Americans, as well as million Americans have the drives for years, said, “I love people of Mediterranean and disease. knowing that out of one pint Middle Eastern descent. of blood, which is about 20 Jackson is one of Preston’s Once bedridden and plagued minutes to give, you can save regular donors. by migraine headaches, Preston four lives.”

SUMMER 2007 WATER POWER 11 Bitz ‘n’ Pieces

Off into the Wild Blue Yonder Chaneita Wilson graduated from Crockett Vocational School in June. Chaneita’s parents are Annette Wilson-Stoudemire of DWSD Security, and Lamar Stoudemire, Water Systems Repairman. Chaneita’s graduation included a certificate for Pharmacy Technician. She is currently waiting for her photo courtesy of Annette photo by Paul Gomez, Public Affairs photo by Paul Gomez, Public Affairs Wilson-Stoudemire departure date for enlistment in the U.S. Air Force. And the winner is Elected Jeanette Fitts – Senior Voucher Felicia Johnson – Audit Clerk, Accounts Payable Messenger, Document Graduate and Mother – won a new DVD player at the Management – was elected Nicole J. Brown – daughter of Patricia vendor fair at the Water Board Trustee for AFSCME Local Moy-Jennings, Office Assistant III Building in June. Jeanette’s name 2920 in March. The two-year at WWTP – graduated from Baker was selected from those who term ends in 2009. The 12- College in June with a Bachelor’s entered the drawing sponsored by year DWSD veteran (1990 Degree in Business Leadership. Nicole Lyons Financial Group, a financial City of Detroit seniority) has will be continuing her educational advisor. Fitts has worked for the been an active union member career at Wayne State University City of Detroit, most of it with for the last 10 years, part of where she plans to earn a Master’s Water. Before coming to DWSD in which she served as a chief Degree in Instructional Technology. the ‘80s, she worked for the steward involved in union photo courtesy of Patricia- Nicole and her husband of 10 years, Moy Jennings Finance, Assessors and Public organizing training. Johnson is Michael, have two lovely daughters; Works Departments. a graduate of the College of Alexis, 9, and Niah, 4. Patricia is very Urban, Labor and Metropolitan proud of Nicole’s ability to hold down a full-time job, be a full-time Selected Affairs at Wayne State Mom, loving wife and excellent student while keeping a very level University, also known as head on her shoulders and maintaining a sense of self. You go, girl! Andreia Johnson – Office Management Assistant, Water “The Labor School.” She Supply Operations Group – was recently took part in a year- selected in May for membership to long program of anti-racist With Honors the Alpha Sigma Lambda National and diversity training Darlene King – Office Assistant II, Honor Society at Wayne State sponsored by the Arab Office of Program Management University’s College of Liberal Community Center for Assistance – accumulated a 3.84 Arts, and Sciences. The Society is Economic and Social Services grade point average to graduate summa nationally recognized as a group (ACCESS). cum laude with an Associate’s Degree of students beyond traditional from Wayne County Community College college age who have excelled in By the way, Felicia’s in June. She decided to return to school continuing education programs daughter, India Johnson, is a in 2001 to enhance her promotion through scholarship and member of “Switch Play TV,” prospects, and chose criminal justice leadership. “…Andreia has a local comedy troupe. photo courtesy of Darlene King because of the opportunity it afforded exemplified the kind of employee- for her to work with young people. The student-citizen of whom we can be 10-year DWSD veteran said the hardest proud,” said Marsha Richmond – Contributors to this part of her return to academia was working every day and Acting Chair of the Department of edition’s Bits ‘n’ attending classes at night. She plans to attend Wayne State in the Interdisciplinary Studies at the Pieces include: fall to begin earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. College of Liberal Arts, and Suzanne Stapleton, Prior to coming to OPMA in 2006, King worked at the Operations Sciences. Commercial; and lab at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. William Ware, OPMA.

Honored for Academic Excellence Jetaun C. Coleman – Customer leads U.S. Service Supervisor, Commercial Operations, was presented with the in giving “Dean’s Award for Distinguished Academic Performance” from the According to Charity Navigator – an University of Detroit Mercy in March. independent charity evaluator – Detroit Coleman, a Junior, is working on her Bachelors Degree with a double major leads the nation in overall charitable

in Arts & Science and Sociology. photo by Paul Gomez, giving for the second straight year. Public Affairs

12 WATER POWER SUMMER 2007