11 honored for Boston public service
The Boston Municipal Research Bureau will honor 11 of Boston’s best at the Henry L. Shattuck Public Service Awards this week, highlighting their unwavering commitment to public service.
The Shattuck awards are named for Henry Lee Shattuck, a former city councilor, lawyer and businessman who founded the research bureau in 1932. The event honors nine city employees and two “City Champions.” The award winners are:
• Ramdassie (Dassie) Bheecham, office manager for the City Clerk’s office, for always going out of her way to better serve Boston residents. She was the first person to use a computer at City Hall.
• Martha Boisselle, ESL/ SEI teacher, leader, Brighton High School, for teaching with a passion and being there for her immigrant students.
• Alicia Carey, third-grade teacher, Perry K-8 School, for refusing to let children fail and only stopping when kids see success.
• Donna Gavin, lieutenant, Human Trafficking Unit, Boston Police Department, for fighting for justice and caring for victims in need of a champion.
• Daniel Humphreys, sergeant detective, Commander Auto Theft Unit, Boston Police Department, for reducing auto theft in Boston by 19 percent in two years, and pushing for a solution to rampant and dangerous dirt bike riding on city streets.
• Theodore Loska, teacher, swim instructor, Hennigan Elementary School, for teaching thousands of inner-city kids to swim and leading an effort to introduce synchronized swimming.
• Michelle McCourt, human resource manager, Boston Fire Department, for creating a BFD recruitment program designed to increase diversity and create educational programs for Boston high school students.
• John Meaney, assistant commissioner, Inspectional Services Department, for tackling rodent and insect infestations with vigor, along with his work to educate homeowners and business owners.
• David Rosario, shipping supervisor, Boston Public Library, for coordinating thousands of books, CDs and other library items every day, even as the central branch underwent two years of renovations.
• James W. Hunt Jr., president and chief executive officer, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, for being willing to explore new options and take risks in the name of improving health care options in Boston.
• Ronald M. Druker, president, The Druker Company, Ltd., for spearheading real estate development that guides Boston’s building boom without losing culture and community.
The awards, now in their 31st year, will be held Tuesday at the Seaport Hotel.