For Immmediate Release

For Immmediate Release

February 24, 2004

Contact: Cathy Lada, Communications Vice President

Jaycees Honor Five Outstanding Young Alexandrians

Alexandria, VA -- February 23, 2004. More than seventy City employees and their families and friends, along with members of the Alexandria Jaycees, gathered at the Hilton Old Town Alexandria to recognize five young City employees whose work and commitment to bettering the community has truly made a difference in the lives of ordinary citizens, at the Alexandria Jaycees' annual Community Appreciation Night on February 23.

Detective Ed Milner, Angela V. Lynch, Jeannine Robinson, Leslie Peterson, and David G. Holcomb were each honored by their respective City department heads as they received a commemorative plaque to celebrate their leadership. Characteristic of their selfless service to the City, each expressed surprise and gratitude for being nominated and selected for the award.

"The Junior Chamber International organization, or Jaycees, believe that service to humanity is the best work of life, said Alicia Auerswald, 2004 President. "The recipients of the Community Appreciation awards embody this belief. They have given of themselves for the good of those around them. In essence, they represent the Jaycee ideals."

Thanking the Alexandria Jaycees, Mayor William Euille noted, "This is an organization that has been around a long time, done some great work…and produced some great leaders," garnering some chuckles from the group as he referenced not only the five award winners, but his own status as one of those leaders - a former Alexandria Jaycee recognized with its highest membership honor as an Alexandria Jaycees Keyman. "I'm proud of all the city employees for the hard work that they do each and every day," he concluded.

2003 Award Recipients:

• Leslie Peterson, Director of Budget & Finance, Alexandria City Public Schools - The George Talmadge Webber Award
• Detective Ed Milner, Alexandria Police Department - The Charles W. Hill Award
• Angela Veney Lynch, Solid Waste Inspector for the City of Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services - The E. Judith Krasnow Award
• Deputy Sheriff David G. Holcomb, Office of the Sheriff - The William G. Truesdale Award
• Jeannine Robinson, Emergency Rescue Technician, Alexandria Fire Department, The James E. Shortt Award

Descriptions of each award recipient's accomplishments appear at the end of this press release.

The Alexandria Jaycees, part of Junior Chamber International, is a leadership training and community service organization for Alexandrians aged 21-39. For more details or for membership information, call the Jaycees' 24-hour recorded event line: (703) 866-7171 or go to

Award recipients, Seated L-R: Charles W. Hill Award winner Detective Ed Milner of the Alexandria Police Department, E. Judith Krasnow Award winner Angela Veney Lynch of the Solid Waste Division of the Dept. of Transportation and Environmental Services, James E. Shortt Award winner Jeannine Robinson of the Alexandria Fire Department, George Talmadge Webber Award winner Leslie Peterson of the Alexandria City Public Schools, and William G. Truesdale Award winner Deputy Sheriff David G. Holcomb from the Office of the Sheriff.

Standing, L-R: City councilman and Alexandria Jaycee, Rob Krupicka; Mayor and Alexandria Jaycee Keyman William Euille; Alicia Auerswald, 2004 Alexandria Jaycees President; and City councilman Paul Smedberg.

2003 Award Recipients

The George Talmadge Webber Award
Very few educators in the Alexandria public school system have been as loved and respected as George Talmadge Webber. An American government instructor with T.C.WilliamsHigh School since 1965, Mr. Webber was committed to inspiring and motivating youth regardless of race, creed, or color.

The sheer force of his personality and commitment to education had an extraordinary impact on others. He encouraged his students to make the most of their opportunities, to strive for excellence, to respect the dignity of their fellow men, to tolerate differences, to understand human frailties, and to respond to challenges.

During the course of Mr. Webber's career, he educated hundreds of students, including former President Ford's children when the president's family resided in Alexandria. Mr. Webber received numerous civic and teaching awards, including a Joint Resolution from the Virginia General Assembly for outstanding contributions to education. He was a past president of the Durant Civic Association and Alexandria PTA Council, a retired member of the Alexandria Mental Health Board, and a member of the NAACP, Urban League, and Alpha Phi Alpha.

Leslie Peterson, 2003 Award Recipient
Leslie Peterson is the director of budget and finance for the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). In this position, she is responsible for the operating and capital improvement budgets, finance, purchasing, and enrollment forecasting. Leslie began her tenure with ACPS in January 1992 as a budget management analyst and was promoted to several positions before she assumed her current position in May 2003.

Prior to joining ACPS, Leslie worked for nine years at a savings bank where she began her career as a teller and advanced to branch manager of two branches. Leslie holds a master's degree in business administration from GeorgeMasonUniversity and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Virginia. She is a member of the Association of School Business Officials International and the Virginia Association of School Business Officials where she currently holds the office of Treasurer. Leslie is also the president of the Vienna Theatre Company. She and her husband Alan are the proud parents of a daughter, Caroline.

The Charles W. Hill Award
Corporal Charles W. Hill was killed in the line of duty during a hostage/shoot-out tragedy on March 22, 1989. Throughout his career with the Alexandria Police Dept., which began in 1976, he served in numerous capacities, including patrol officer in Field Operations, and Identification Technician, a Field Training Officer, and a firearms instructor. At the time of his death, Corporal Hill was serving as a member of the Special Operations Team, which responds as needed to potentially dangerous situations.

Corporal Hill received 23 letters of commendation from, among others, the City Manager, the Chief of Police, the Sheriff, and the U.S. Army for his numerous leadership roles and the support he offered to civic organizations around Alexandria.

Detective Ed Milner, 2003 Award Recipient
Detective Milner is a 7-year veteran of the Alexandria Police Department who transferred from the Alexandria Sheriff's office in 1996. He spent six years at the rank of patrol officer before competing for and being selected as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Section in April of 2003.

He is currently assigned to the Property Recovery Unit, where his duties include recovering stolen property, and regulating pawn shops and second hand merchandise dealers. In less than a year, he has recovered over $225,000 worth of stolen property, cash and other merchandise. This amount includes the confiscation of $125,000 worth of counterfeit compact discs that he seized after an undercover investigation conducted in conjunction with the Recording Industry of America Association.

Tonight marks the second time that Detective Milner has received the Charles W. Hill Award (he first won in the year 2000). In the past decade, no other City employee has twice won a Jaycee Community Appreciation Night award. Detective Milner is the married father of three.

The E. Judith Krasnow Award
For 34 years, E. Judith (Judy) Krasnow worked with the AlexandriaMentalHealthCenter. First joining the center in 1962, she served as Dir. of Prevention and Training. From 1978-94, she was the Center Director. Ms. Krasnow had an extraordinary understanding of community mental health. She worked equally well with a single mother, a pregnant teenager, a homeless man, or a mentally ill drug abuser. Judy was an expert in establishing a therapeutic relationship with each person. She imbued staff and students alike with the same sense of commitment to all Alexandrians in need of mental health services.

During her 16 years as Center Director, Judy obtained a CMHC federal grant, enabling Alexandria's MentalHealthCenter to expand its programs and establish a 24-hour emergency training service. In addition, she initiated the first community-based mental health training program for daycare and preschool staff in the city. Judy was always at the forefront of mental health services delivery; for example, she saw the implementation of services to jail inmates, home-based mental health services to high risk families, community-based residential and vocational services to persons with serious and persistent mental illness, and intensive case management to the homeless.

Angela Veney Lynch, 2003 Award Recipient
Angela Veney Lynch, Solid Waste Inspector, works for the City of Alexandria's Dept. of Transportation and Environmental Services, Solid Waste Division, where she is responsible for enforcing the City Ordinance for Solid Waste, maintaining the distribution and repair of refuse carts and recycling bins. From the day she began with the Division in Dec. 2002, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to customer service and professional competence.

Born and raised in Alexandria, Ms. Lynch attended Alexandria public schools and graduated from T.C. Williams H.S. in 1982. She now lives in FairfaxCounty, but her heart still belongs to the City of Alexandria.

Ms. Lynch was first employed by the City part-time in 1986 with the Dept. of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. At the ChinquapinRecreationCenter, she worked as an Assistant Food Service Specialist. In 1998, she became a Recreation Leader III at the LeeCenter, with responsibility for managing after school and summer youth recreational programs. During this time, she invariably demonstrated a selfless attitude and willingness to expend her effort to achieve high quality service results. Angela balances numerous responsibilities, including family, career, volunteerism, and commitment to excellence in government.

The William G. Truesdale Award
On January 27, 1981, Deputy Sheriff William G. Truesdale sacrificed his life trying to prevent the escape of a dangerous prisoner. Truesdale began his law enforcement career while in the Navy as a Shore Patrolman. He was employed with the Fairmount Heights Police Dept. and the D.C. Dept. of Corrections before starting his career with the Alex. Office of the Sheriff in 1973. During his tenure with the Sheriff's office, he received many letters of commendation from the community as well as from co-workers. He was a devoted employee, husband and father.

In 1985, the Alexandria City Council passed a resolution honoring the late Deputy Sheriff William G. Truesdale. During the opening ceremonies for the new PublicSafetyCenter, an entrance roadway to the new Public Safety Complex was officially dedicated as Truesdale Drive.

Deputy Sheriff David G. Holcomb, 2003 Award Recipient
When Deputy Holcomb first came to the Office of Sheriff, his fellow employees quickly noticed that he was a serious minded individual who truly wanted to make a difference. Today, his dedication has even surpassed those initial impressions. Deputy Holcomb consistently "steps up" whenever there is a need. A self-starter who resolves issues without being prodded, he is even-tempered and a positive influence on his peers. Deputy Holcomb is a solid team player and is always willing to assist others in achieving their goals. He provides his peers with excellent feedback and has been known to coach staff on professionalism. Deputy Holcomb is well respected by his supervisors and commanders.

One of the best Field Training Deputies in the Office, Deputy Holcomb motivates his recruits and encourages them to succeed and reach beyond their set goals. His recruits always complete their assigned training with an air of accomplishment.

Deputy Holcomb was hired as a Deputy Sheriff I in March, 2000 and was elevated to Deputy Sheriff II in July, 2002. A member of the Sheriff's Honor Guard and a Field Training Deputy, he is assigned to the DetentionCenter and has performed the function of a Special Management Deputy, in which he works with inmates who require additional services because of their mental health or substance abuse needs.

Before coming to the Office of Sheriff, Deputy Holcomb served the U.S. Army in both "Desert Storm" and "Desert Shield." He is a dedicated husband and father who finds time to coach little league baseball and soccer. His "can do" attitude, coupled with his tireless efforts to helping others, qualifies him as an exemplary public servant.

The James E. Shortt Award
Although James Edward Shortt was born in Gastonia, NC, he spent most of his life in Alexandria. In the late 1950's, after serving the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Forrestal, Mr. Shortt joined the Alexandria Fire Department. He left after a year, but then returned for another year and a half. Again, he left to pursue another field. Finally realizing that "I like the [fire department] work and have found from experience I am not satisfied in any other vocation," he returned to the Fire Dept. permanently in April 1961.

In 1964, James Shortt was promoted to Fire Prevention Inspector. He soon became widely known throughout the building and construction community as a tough, but fair, public servant. Never would he allow a safety issue to slide because it seemed unimportant. The safety of others was his prime consideration and the word "compromise" was not in his vocabulary when it came to preventing fires and providing a safe environment for those he had chosen to protect. He rose to the rank of Deputy Fire Marshal, which is the rank he held when he retired on December 1, 1993. He died just a few days later.

Jeannine Robinson, 2003 Award Recipient
According to the Alexandria Fire Department, "Jeannine Robinson believes that the best way to make a difference in one's community, be it at work or where you live, is to get involved." In her ten years as an Emergency Rescue Technician with the City, Ms. Robinson has not sought the limelight, but has been a steady and constant force for good in the Alexandria community, volunteering for Christmas in April and playing on the Fire Dept. basketball team to raise the funds for the event.

She has also been part of the Black Professional Fire Service Employees' Christmas Toy Drive and Party for over five years. But it may be her less public actions that will in the long term have a greater impact on the quality of life for the children and other residents of Alexandria. Paramedic Robinson is well known for her up-front approach in dealing with issues involving her young patients. She uses the little time she has with them to teach, mentor, counsel, or just listen to their issues. The majority of these encounters with Alexandria youth are potentially life altering, and she makes sure that by the time her patients leave the back of the medic unit, they have learned something of substance for dealing with life.

She has been married to Darren Robinson for 13 years, and they have two children, Darren, Jr., age 7, and three-year-old Jeané. Describing herself, Ms. Robinson says that she's pretty laid-back and cares about what she does. Helping others is one of her priorities. She is a leader who likes setting a good example for her children.

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