City Testimonials: "I hope that you have received 500 calls saying THANK YOU for the new playground at Bonforte Park! It is a terrific neighborhood park and we so appreciate the improvements. I walk by every day and see so many children and parents enjoying themselves." -Citizen Comment "The crew from Engine 15A were professional, knowledgeable, courteous, and extremely helpful, not only did this group of professionals represent the Fire Department in a positive light, they also speak to a city government that is responsive and courteous to the public."- Citizen Comment "We've found with projects we're doing, the City seems to be as proactive as they possibly can be." -Real Estate CEO "Grateful for the progress made by CSPD to curb shoplifting." -Business Loss Prevention Manager "Not only was my concern addressed in a professional and timely manner, but Finance Planning & Analysis Manager Leslie Hickey took the time to let me know that changes were on the way. This is the direct opposite of some folks' perception of local government." -Citizen Comment "Thank you very much for fixing the potholes on the round about for Squirrel Tail and Brainard as well as the divot by the water outlet on Squirrel Tail towards Musgrave. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -Citizen Comment "Accounts Payable Supervisor Patti McFarland was true to her word, she called me back within days to give a status report. Then she called again to update me. Then, she called today to let me know she had been able to contact the unreachable tow company, received an invoice, and would be reimbursing the portion the business manager agreed to pay! I know that it was a sustained effort because I tried for several months and got nowhere. I can't express my overwhelming gratitude to Patti and your office for their work in this matter. We run a service-based business and try to learn from other organizations whenever we can. I will bring up this instance at our weekly meeting as an example of good service to be commended and followed.Thanks to you and Patti for the surprisingly positive experience I had with your office." -Local Small Business Owner "Thanks to Traffic Technician Pete Doyle, his community attitude to work with the residents is commendable. Thank you once again." -Citizen Comment "Streets Operations Manager Bard Lower has provided me superb customer service, above and beyond what could reasonably be expected. I know that this has been a priority for your administration, and I felt it important to let you know that it is working. Mr. Lower and his associates deserve kudos for their proactive, thorough handling of this five-year-old snow plowing issue and I am grateful to you as well for making the City more responsive to citizen requests." -Citizen Comment "As a new resident of Colorado Springs, it’s apparent that the City really does excel in taking care of its residents and treats its citizens more like neighbors and friends than just customers on a long “to-do” list. Thank you for all your exceptional service." -Citizen Comment

Deerfield Hills Neighborhood Revitalization

May 13, 2012 By

Cool blustery weather did not keep determined and dedicated volunteers from sprucing up one Colorado Springs neighborhood in need of some TLC.  The City of Colorado Springs, Rebuilding Together Colorado Springs and the Energy Resource Center partnered to revitalize the Deerfield Hills neighborhood. Volunteers put in a full day on Saturday, May 12 to help improve the living conditions for the residents, eliminate the blight in the neighborhood, and preserve the affordable housing stock.

Twelve homes were rehabilitated with the help of volunteers. The work included home repairs, accessibility improvements, energy efficiency, landscaping, exterior painting, fence replacement and safety additions. The Deerfield Hills Community Center was painted by Honeywell volunteers.  Concrete Couch coordinated the painting of a mural on the center by Turman Elementary School students.

Funding for the revitalization project came from the City’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program (funded by the Community Block Grant Program (CDBG) and HOME program)  grants and $128,000 in donations from our community.  Other organizations involved in this important community event included Home Depot, Sears, Booz Allen Hamilton, Honeywell, Sherwin Williams, El Paso County Housing Authority, Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs,  American Society of Landscape Architects Southern Colorado, the Mayor’s Streetscape Solutions Team, Concrete Couch, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 113, Waste Management, Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Service Technicians Local Union #58, Denali Stone USA and many more.

Deerfield Hills is a neighborhood located in the Southeast part of Colorado Springs. The street boundaries are Academy to the west, Drennan to the south and Hancock Expressway to the north and east.

 

                            

Share
Filed Under: Business, Community Relations, Employee Relations, Spirit of the Springs, Spirit of the Springs Events

What Newly Promoted Officers Say about Serving Colorado Springs

May 8, 2012 By
While formal fanfare has died down a bit since Mayor Bach swore in eight from the CSPD, the pride they feel about helping people in the Colorado Springs community continues to grow.

In their own words, here are a few comments from some of those public safety leaders. If you support them, then please share this post and thank them for their service when you see them at work.

Q: Can you tell us how you feel about your work and the impact of your recent promotion?

“I am very excited to be afforded this opportunity. It is a real honor and I must give credit to the fine people that I work for, the people I work with, and those that work for me. They are the ones that helped me get here. I will be staying at the Gold Hill Division and I have already begun to establish strong working relationships with a variety of community members. There is a real passion about the quality of life in the neighborhoods that the Gold Hill Division services and I hope to be a part of making it an even better place to live by ensuring that public safety needs are met. I understand that the Colorado Springs Police Department is very reliant on the strong support we receive from the citizens in the community. I want to continue to build this support and trust. I am a native of Colorado Springs and I can’t imagine a better place to live!” –Commander Pat Rigdon

“I am extremely excited to serve in my new capacity as a lieutenant for the Colorado Springs Police Department.  Even though I have taken on a new rank one of my main goals is to remember I am a public servant first and foremost.  I received excellent advice in the past regarding leadership decisions:  Take care of your people but remember the needs of our community come before the needs of our department, the needs of our department come before the needs of our unit and the needs of our unit come before our individual needs.  I plan on following this advice to the best of my ability.”  –Lieutenant Hugh M. Velasquez

“As a Deputy Chief on the Colorado Springs Police Department, I look forward to serving our community as well as the men and women on our Department. I hope I can make thoughtful and informed decisions that will positively impact our employees.  I will continue to support our mission of providing police services with integrity and with the spirit of excellence, in partnership with our community, to promote the quality of life in Colorado Springs.  I will diligently work toward fulfilling our vision statement of ‘Safeguarding our Community as our Family.’  We all look forward to the bright future we have with Chief Carey and Mayor Bach.”  –Deputy Chief Vince Niski

“I am truly honored to be able to continue to serve our community in my new capacity. I look forward to learning the new responsibilities associated with my position while still being able to work with officers on the street. Having been fortunate to work for some truly great leaders on our department, I hope that I can come close to being able to lead as they have. We live in a great city and a great area and I hope to do my part to keep it as safe as possible.” –Sergeant Rick Bubacz

Share
Filed Under: Community Relations, Employee Relations, Leadership, Public Safety Tagged With: , ,

Mayor Bach Promotes Eight From Colorado Springs Police Department

April 13, 2012 By

There couldn’t have been a more beautiful setting in which to hold a promotion ceremony for Colorado Springs finest. In the Garden Pavilion behind the historic Penrose House, Mayor Bach swore in eight officers to their new positions. It was an important occasion and also a joyful one! 

 Those promoted include: Deputy Chief Vince Niski, Deputy Chief Mark Smith, Commander Pat Rigdon, Commander Kirk Wilson, Lieutenant Bob Weber, Lieutenant Mike Velasquez, Sergeant Joe Matiatos and Sergeant Patrick Bubacz.

Chief Pete Carey stressed the importance of the work being done by all public safety officers, as well as those who were promoted.

Mayor Bach agreed. “We are so proud of our police force as well as the sworn officers being promoted here today. The City thanks you and our citizens thank you for your service. You help make Colorado Springs the kind of city where people want to live and do business.”

Family members were also proud to see loved ones rewarded for their hard work.

 

Thanks to those who wear the uniform and their families who support them in their service to the Colorado Springs community!

—————————————————–

COMMENTS:

Commander Pat Rigdon said, “I am very excited to be afforded this opportunity. It is a real honor and I must give credit to the fine people that I work for, the people I work with, and those that work for me. They are the ones that helped me get here. I will be staying at the Gold Hill Division and I have already begun to establish strong working relationships with a variety of community members. There is a real passion about the quality of life in the neighborhoods that the Gold Hill Division services and I hope to be a part of making it an even better place to live by ensuring that public safety needs are met. I understand that the Colorado Springs Police Department is very reliant on the strong support we receive from the citizens in the community. I want to continue to build this support and trust. I am a native of Colorado Springs and I can’t imagine a better place to live!”

Share
Filed Under: Employee Relations, Leadership, Mayor Bach News, Public Safety Tagged With: , ,

Fleet Employees Recognized at Mayor Bach Brown Bag

March 15, 2012 By

Taking care of the vehicles and equipment is a job the City’s Fleet Division team does very well. They also go above and beyond to assist local and federal law enforcement. Mayor Steve Bach recognized four Fleet employees with an “Above and Beyond” Service Award for helping the FBI on January 10, 2012.

(Shown Above: Tom Monarco, Mayor Bach, Dennis Cross, Robert Gish, Tim Hodur, Matt Mendenhall)

The FBI needed help to extract more than 500 pounds of marijuana stashed in metal containers inside a vehicle. The U.S. Department of Justice also sent a letter of thanks to Fleet for their assistance in this case where the suspect was federally indicted.

Mayor Bach took the opportunity to present the Award at one of his monthly Brown Bag Meetings with City employees. At this event, Laura Neumann, Chief of Staff/Chief Administrative Officer, and Steve Cox, Chief, Econominc Vitality and Innovation also attended.

 

Following the awards and lunch, Fleet Manager Tom Monarco took Mayor Bach and Laura Neumann on a tour of the facility.

 

Fleet Employees have an optimistic, “can do” attitude, no matter how large or small the task!

 

Share
Filed Under: Customer Service, Employee Relations, Mayor Bach News Tagged With: , ,