REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – The Delaware Recreation and Parks Society presented the prestigious Legislative Award to New Castle County Executive Thomas P. Gordon at the organization’s annual conference held in Sussex County last week.
During his remarks, County Executive Gordon told the society members he was honored to receive the award, which reminded him of how parks and recreation were vital ingredients for a municipality’s quality of life. He also noted the advice of a consultant years ago to maintain beautiful parks to help make Delaware a tourist destination in the advent of lost manufacturing and other industries.
“I think we’ve all made Delaware one of the most beautiful locations, with the most beautiful parks in the country,” County Executive Gordon said. “The people in this room did that, and I thank you.”
The Executive also thanked the County’s Department of Community Services and Department of Special Services for their work in tandem to maintain County parks and to run quality, family-oriented events at the parks.
County Executive Gordon was nominated for the Legislative Award for his vision and dedication in maintaining parks and recreation, history, and green spaces for current and future County residents and visitors. The award recognized his work, not just from his return to office in November 2012, but for his previous two terms as County Executive from 1997 to 2004.
In addition, Achievement Awards were awarded to New Castle County’s Jane Rattenni, an administrator within Community Services, and Paul Johnson, with Special Services, and their respective staffs. Mr. Johnson and his crew were honored for their work to build and maintain 135 playgrounds in County parks. Ms. Rattenni and her staff were honored for their commitment to creating quality, recreational, educational, cultural, and accessible programs and events for county residents. Both administrators expressed appreciation for the County Executive’s unwavering support for parks and recreation.
In addition to Ms. Rattenni and Mr. Johnson, County Executive Gordon was accompanied at the awards banquet by Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Samuel Guy, Community Services General Manager Sophia Hanson, Special Services administrators Mike Svaby and Jonathan Husband, and several other county employees.
For more information about the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society, please visit http://www.derps.org.
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