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  GOLD -  Rachél Lather, Department of Public Works
As the Senior Civil Engineer in the Sanitation Division, Rachél worked with the County's consultant to bring in more than $6.5 million in grants to fund significant projects which have protected the environment and improved the quality of life for residents in our community. Among the projects made possible by this funding are the Aptos Transmission Line Replacement Project, the Aptos Esplanade and Capitola Esplanade Sewer Projects, the Davenport Water Treatment Project, the Davenport Water Main Project, and the Rolling Woods Project. While each of these projects is significant, the Davenport Water Treatment Project represents the culmination of eight years of work to improve the water treatment system for Davenport residents. With an award of $600,000 in Proposition 50 funding and $1.62 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a contract was awarded in August, 2009, to construct this project, which is expected to be complete by June, 2010. Rachél is an outstanding employee and is deserving of recognition for her hard work and dedication on behalf of County government and the residents of our community.

  SILVER -  Cristina James - Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services Department

Cristina was hired as a Park Planner in February, 2008, and since that time has demonstrated an extraordinary willingness and ability to tackle any project and see it through to completion. She achieved significant milestones with several projects this past year that involved numerous design, permitting and construction issues. Among these projects are the Pinto Lake Children's Playground and Accessible Pathway Project, the Anna Jean Cummings Park embankment slide project and parking lot expansion project, the Freedom Lake Restoration Project, Moran Lake Park Renovation, and the new McGregor Park in Seacliff. With the significant financial constraints facing local government, Cristina is active in pursuing grant funding to help move projects forward, demonstrating time and again her willingness to explore every funding option to improve local park facilities. Cristina has consistently displayed an ability to multi-task and build vital partnerships to advance park improvement projects, and her efforts warrant public recognition.

  BRONZE - Ray Travers of the Agricultural Commissioner's Office
As a Vector Control Specialist with the Mosquito Abatement and Vector Control District, Ray has applied and adapted innovative computer application tools that improve the function of the geographic information system, allowing staff to better analyze mosquito breeding locations to ensure the greatest efficiency in identifying appropriate treatment options. Ray generously shares his ideas, sets up work stations, and then patiently trains co-workers and other vector control staff to use this technology. In addition, he created a program function button that links mapped breeding sites with treatment records. This new feature has increased the department's ability to interrupt the mosquito breeding cycle, diminish the impacts that mosquitoes have on the community, reduce the threat of West Nile Virus, and increase staff efficiency. Ray was also asked to use a PowerPoint presentation he developed to share his expertise in mosquito control-related geographic systems technology with other mosquito control districts at a continuing education workshop. Ray deserves recognition for his willingness to develop new technology, share his knowledge with co-workers and peers, increase the effectiveness of staff, and reduce pesticide use in our community.