For Immediate Release: Monday, May 13, 2002
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today paid tribute to people who support alternative transportation – including a group of third graders from East Silver Spring Elementary School -- at the County’s 17th Annual Transportation Awards Ceremony. The event honors employers and individuals who have excelled in promoting the use of transit, vanpools, and other alternatives to single occupancy vehicles.
Duncan and Maryland Delegate William Bronrott (D-District 16) accompanied the third graders on a walk to the ceremony, where Duncan presented the children with a special award for their efforts to reduce traffic congestion by proposing walking as the official exercise for the state of Maryland.
“I am delighted to honor these third graders who have suggested that walking can help us combat some of our traffic problems,” said Duncan. “I’m also proud to recognize the dedicated community and business leaders who have been at the forefront of transit and commuter initiatives and who are making great strides in enhancing the quality of life for our residents, employees and visitors. Providing traffic congestion relief is one of my highest priorities, and public transit is an essential part of my plan to relieve our crowded roadways and give residents better access to jobs.”
Terry Drabant, President of Lockheed Martin Mission Systems, presented the keynote address at this year’s ceremony.
Awards presented at the ceremony were made in the following categories:
Newly Developed Program of the Year: ADP Integrated Medical Solutions (Rockville) offers employees Fare Share and other alternatives to driving alone, and Chevy Chase Bank (Bethesda) provides a financial incentive program for its employees, preferred parking for carpools, and information for using public transportation for getting to and from work.
Ongoing Program of the Year: Equals Three Communications (Bethesda) offers Super Fare Share benefits and flextime. The company was awarded the “Workplace Excellence” Seal of Approval by the Montgomery County Work/Life Alliance. Other award winners were Marriott International (North Bethesda) and CityNet Telecommunications, Inc. (Silver Spring).
Transportation Benefits Coordinator of the Year: Dana Williams, Social & Scientific Systems (Silver Spring) coordinates the company’s transportation benefits, compressed work week and telework programs, and worked hard to get her company into Super Fare Share. Janet Ernst, Eagle Design and Management (Bethesda), works to create a customized transit route for every employee, reserves preferred vanpool parking spaces, and offers walking shoes to employees who have been with the company for two years and walk to work.
Special Transportation Award: In addition to the special award for the Third Grade Class of East Silver Spring Elementary School, the Bethesda Transportation Solutions (BTS) was honored for its sponsorship and development of the “Bethesda ATE” Evening that celebrated the extension of the Bethesda 8 Free Shuttle hours. BTS successfully worked with 15 restaurants to promote this new transit initiative.
Best of the Best Transit Operator/Coordinator Awards: Bea Stapleton, Ride On Bus Operator, was honored for her exceptional customer relations skills and professionalism. Also recognized were Robert James, a 21-year Ride On Bus Operator with outstanding ratings for his professionalism and customer service skills; James Lehman, Ride On Coordinator, who also coordinates the recycling and environmental programs for the bus system; and Linda Jones, Metrobus Operator, who is a dedicated employee and a WMATA Ambassador for her work with school children.
Transportation Award: William Calloway, Metrorail Operator, was commended for his professionalism, extensive knowledge of safety rules and procedures, excellent attendance record, and training of new operators.
Vanpool Driver of the Year: James Preston helped form 14 vanpools in less than a year.
Transit Rider of the Year: Karin Dietz has been a bus rider since 1962.
Biker of the Year: State Senator Brian Frosh (District 16, Chevy Chase) has been a biker for many years, biking from his home to his law office when he is not required to commute to Annapolis.
Taxi Driver of the Year Awards: Aden Osman, Montgomery Taxicab Company, has received many commendations for his service and assists visually impaired passengers to their destinations. Also honored was Parkinson St. Jules, Barwood Transportation, who provides excellent customer service and ensures that other drivers follow procedures.
Keep Montgomery County Moving Awards: This year’s recipients represent excellence in public service, corporate life, and the media. The National Council of the Arts received an award for Achievement in Managing Transportation for its Live Near Your Work Program. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority received the Innovation in Transportation Award for expanding the transportation network through the Car Sharing Program. The Graham J. Norton Award for Achievement in Increasing Community Livability was awarded to the 2002 Wheaton Quality Community Project. Ken Muir, Cable Channel 21, and Monika Samtani, Channel 9, received awards for their Achievement in Public Information in Television. The Carmen S. Turner Award for Achievement in Community Service went to the Blue Ribbon Panel on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, and a Special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Edward A. Daniel.
For more information of the Transportation Awards Ceremony or commuter services in Montgomery County, call 301-770-POOL.