The City celebrated some of its own as “Core Values Champions” – employees who go above-and-beyond for our community and their colleagues – during a special ceremony Friday evening. 

For the second straight year, citizens and City staff members nominated individuals who go the extra mile and exemplify Milton’s core values of service, teamwork, rural heritage, ownership, and leadership. The 2023 edition was more challenging than the previous one for a great reason, since there were about three times as many nominations. (Note that anyone and any time – including you and now! – can nominate a City employee for recognition at www.miltonga.gov/i-want-to/honor-a-city-employee/.)

A group of employees from various City departments, including Police and Fire, sifted through all the nominations and – noticing so many deserving candidates – recommended handing out significantly more awards this year. While a few honorees couldn’t attend Friday’s private City staff event (with family invited) at Milton City Park and Preserve, those who did went home with a framed certificate, City of Milton “challenge coin,” and voucher for Milton-branded swag of their choice.

Here is a list of honorees, divided by their Core Values category.

LEADERSHIP

• SGT. SCOTT LAPPIN, who a citizen described as “a role model for community-focused policing” and lauded by an Milton Police colleague as a positive force who always steps up, boosts others’ spirits, and does whatever it takes for Milton and his fellow officers.
• EMILY SALERNO, Milton’s Community Outreach Manager and the person behind most Milton City events whose strong work ethic, excellent organization, and innate charisma makes her someone who people eagerly follow (and the City is all the better for it).

OWNERSHIP

• OFFICER CHARLES FANNON, a passionate member of Milton Police’s traffic unit who spearheads the Alive at 25 youth driver education program, works patiently with Milton Court, and expertly handles the good, bad, and everything in between while on the streets of Milton.
• DEREK HOFMANN, a hard-working, innovative, engaging firefighter who has helped Milton Fires CARES – the Fire-Rescue department’s thriving community paramedicine program -- flourish through any valuable initiatives, like CPR training for Milton-affiliated coaches.
• TRICIA WOLF, Records Clerk behind the counter at Milton Police nominated because she “always looks for ways to help others,” be they colleagues and citizens, and steps up to tackle problems head-on and, after doing so, delivers results.

RURAL HERITAGE

• MICHAEL CARDAMON, Senior Planner with Community Development commended by a citizen for having gone “over and above” in understanding Milton’s nuances, especially as they relate to farms and its rural heritage, as a patient, diligent coordinator with City committees.
• EMILY GROTH, Milton’s Environmental Program Manager who oversees the city’s sustainability, recycling, ‘Greenprint’ and other efforts and was described as a “dream employee [who is] professional, caring, hard-working, visionary” who always the City’s best interests in mind.

SERVICE

• JEANETTE CITTA, better known as JC, formerly with the Milton Police and now a Permit Technician with the Community Development Department who routinely goes out of her way to serve citizens and colleagues (like helping decorate Station 42 on her own weekends).
• DAVE FRIZZELL, the City’s IT Manager who for years has been a reliably positive, responsive, and beloved team members who provides critical service to people across City government by doing whatever it takes to address a variety of ever-changing technological issues.
• ANGIE KAPIJIMPANGA, the Customer Service Coordinator for Public Works – a role in which she patiently listens to citizens’ reported issues and works closely with the Public Works team to resolve them in an efficient, effective manner.
• WENDY LEE, Milton’s Deputy Court Clerk (and its only full-time Court employee) who shows patience, empathy, attention to detail, and understanding of her and the Court’s role everyday
• RODDY MOTES, the Public Works Manager and an institution in Milton who has worked with many HOA leaders and other citizens to kindly and effectively produce positive results for many years in Milton.
• SGT. SCOTT MULVEY with the Milton Police, where he manages the Department’s vehicle fleet, equipment, and buildings in addition to countless other tasks – “constantly doing whatever is necessary to complete goals.”

TEAMWORK

• DAVID BERGMAIER, Milton’s Facilities Manager (overseeing buildings like City Hall and more) who, according to his nominators, “never fails to impress with his responsiveness and willingness to help” on tasks big and small.
• ANITA JUPIN, the City’s Economic Engagement Manager who received nominations from people all across Milton’s business and non-profit spectrum for building partnerships, offering above-and-beyond assistance, and much more.
• ROBYN MacDONALD, Milton’s Zoning Manager with an unmatched understanding of City Code who has fostered strong relationships across the city, with one citizen writing, “I honestly don’t know if the City could operate without Robyn.”

Congratulations to all of this year’s Core Value Champions in the City of Milton!