Delaware Association for Public Administration 2011 DAPA Annual Awards Dinner
On December 8, 2011, the Deerfied Golf Club (Newark, Del.) provided a sophisticated holiday backdrop for the Delaware Association for Public Administration (DAPA) 2011 Annual Awards Dinner. The evening began at 5:30 p.m. with networking and social time and brought together professionals and students working in the public administration field in Delaware.
DAPA President Jonathan Justice served as emcee for the evening and welcomed the group on behalf of DAPA. Jonathan briefly thanked everyone for attending the event and thanked the event organizers—Julia O’Hanlon, Kim Gomes, and Kathy Wian and University of Delaware School of Public Policy & Administration students Corrine O’Connor and Cimone Philpotts. Jonathan noted that DAPA has grown to over 80 members and held a series of exciting events in 2011, including the Blue Rocks social and a speed-networking event. Events tentatively scheduled for 2012 include a downtown Newark development tour (hosted by DAPA Council member Kyle Sonnenberg) and student networking opportunities. Jonathan’s remarks were followed by a delicious dinner. After dinner, DAPA conducted its organizational business, announced its election results, and proceeded with the awards portion of the evening. The following are the officers elected for the 2012-2013 term:
- Jonathan Kirch, 2nd Vice President
- Martin Wollaston, Treasurer
- Kelly Sherretz, Council
- David Bird, Council
After the business portion of the meeting, awardees were introduced and each gave an address before receiving his/her award. Unlike the past, when only one award was given, this year DAPA honored two very deserving public servants for the DAPA Public Service Award—Roy Lopata and Kim Book. This award is given annually to an individual who displays accomplishments in leadership in public service, shows commitment and dedication to public service, is responsive to current issues, and demonstrates innovation and/or creativity.
Kyle Sonnenberg, DAPA Council member and Newark’s City Manager, introduced colleague Roy Lopata. Lopata is the longtime Planning and Development Director for the City of Newark, Delaware. Sonnenberg described the extensive impact Lopata’s dedication and commitment to the City has had on residents and employees of the City of Newark.
Lopata opened his remarks by giving thanks to the hard work and dedication of his fellow City staff and Newark’s council members attending the event. Roy admitted that he accidentally fell into his work with the city while looking for a teaching job at the University of Delaware. He described his first assignment—reviewing records for a personnel grievance—and said that it set him up for the rest of his career— conducting research on important issues and working to serve the needs of the city. He stated that every day for the past 37 years his assignments have reflected the needs of the community and he has enjoyed seeing the fruits of his labor. He remarked he has had an extremely rewarding career, has enjoyed the adventure, and is excited to soon let others “enjoy the ride.”
Kathy Wian, DAPA’s 1st Vice President, introduced Kim Book. Book is the founder and executive director of Victims’ Voices Heard, a nonprofit organization that gives victims of crime the opportunity to meet with their incarcerated offender.
Book described the circumstance that drove her to lead the life she lives today. She is a victim of a violent crime; however, rather than choose to be angry or dwell on her misfortune, she has chosen to take action and take control. The murder of Book’s daughter awakened her need to help others, and since then she has worked tirelessly to help victims allow their voices to be heard. It is Book’s life’s mission to help both the victim and the incarcerated. She actively chooses joy and asked the audience not to feel sorry for her but to support her efforts in honoring her daughter by helping her improve our criminal-justice system and end violence in our state.
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| Kim Book, Kathy Wian, Jonathan Justice, Roy Lopata, and Kyle Sonnenberg |
Both award recipients have devoted themselves to public service and improving the community in which we live. Honoring these efforts, DAPA member Albert Shields, who works for Delaware Congressman John Carney, delivered a tribute from the State Senate to each award recipient for their hard work and dedication. The state of Delaware is a better place because of the efforts of Roy Lopata and Kim Book.
The evening concluded with additional social networking.
> See additional photos on DAPA’s Facebook photo album.
—by Martha Corrozi Narvaez
photos by Mark Deshon