Environmental Department Awards Three Employees with Environmental Accolades

Friday, 05 September 2008

The Environmental Department presented three employees with environmental awards at the September 2 Board of Port Commissioners meeting. Harbor Police Sergeant Gary Leeson, building maintenance coordinator Craig Sweeting and Director of Procurement Services Dave Thompson were recognized for their environmental achievements.

Sergeant Gary Leeson was honored for renovating the Harbor Police Department's dog run by installing artificial grass. This eliminated the need for watering and the use of fertilizer. In addition, the artificial grass requires no maintenance which cuts out noisy lawn equipment. Sergeant Leeson was also recognized for retrofitting the air conditioning system in the Port vehicles that transport K-9 units. When the K-9s are in the vehicles, the temperature must always remain comfortable. Sgt. Leeson's retrofit eliminated the need to keep the vehicle engines running to power up the air conditioning.

Craig Sweeting has been instrumental in several energy-conserving projects at the Port. Craig works with the Port's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the Administration building. His innovative energy saving techniques and diligence have resulted in a 23 percent reduction in energy at the Administration building. In addition, Craig spearheaded the Port's gardening program. Craig and other employees tend to the garden on their own time. He also started a program to compost food waste from Café Ole.

Dave Thompson was honored for initiating a new program that allows the Port to buy products it uses in its operations that are both environmentally safe and the most cost effective.

The Port congratulates these exemplary employees on their leadership and environmental accomplishments.