On Wednesday, July 7th, New York City honored its Essential Workers with a Hometown Heroes Ticker Tape Parade! In the toughest of times, essential workers, like our health care heroes, first responders, educators, city workers, and so many more, saw us through the COVID-19 crisis, and we couldn’t be more thankful.
Six HPD staff marched in the parade to represent the hundreds of amazing frontline workers that helped our agency keep up its essential services throughout the pandemic:
Aider Abliamitov
Housing Inspector, Division of Code Enforcement
Aider represents HPD’s support of City-wide COVID Business Inspections. 90 HPD inspectors stepped out during the pandemic to inspect businesses for issues such as employees not wearing masks, maximum capacity requirements, alcohol consumed at bars, and other safety measures aimed at restricting the spread of COVID-19.
“The whole experience for the last year is very special to me, and I feel very happy that I did this job at this time. I hope that what we did helped to bring this to an end (or at least helped safely get there), and I am very glad that the pandemic is coming to an end.”
Leslie Camacho
Building Evaluator, Division of Neighborhood Preservation
During the pandemic, Leslie stepped up and volunteered to return to the office in order to help manage calls from tenants and landlords relating to code violations. Leslie reached out to owners to discuss emergency violations on their building and mediated repairs between tenants and landlords at a time when so many New Yorkers needed a safe place to shelter at home. Thank you, Leslie!
Gary Desellier
Alternative Enforcement Program Coordinator, Division of Special Enforcement
Gary worked in the office full-time throughout pandemic. The fact that he was there 5 days a week was a huge help to not only to the Alternative Enforcement Program but also to the entire Division since he would help with any Division of Special Enforcement issue that was asked of him. A true team player. Thank you for stepping up to be in the office to help keep up our critical services!
“It’s a great privilege to represent so many of my colleagues who worked through the pandemic serving our fellow New Yorkers.”
Sundar Iyer
Environmental Hazards Unit Director, Emergency Operations Division
Throughout the pandemic, Sundar, played vital role in managing priority projects for the Emergency Operations Division. The Environmental Hazards Unit completes asbestos investigations necessary for emergency repair and demolition work as well as lead abatement and clearance work. As Director, Sundar’s work during the pandemic help keep countless New Yorkers, including young children with respect to lead-based paint, safe from environmental and other hazardous conditions.
“Our daily work activities in HPD’s Emergency Operations Division is customer-focused and goal-oriented to serve New Yorkers in a timely manner. During pandemic and combined with heat season, our Environmental Hazards Unit helped HPD vendors address restoration of heat and hot water with asbestos investigations and also played a major role in Lead Free NYC by addressing both Code and Department of Health violations.”
Karen Riddick
Queens Office Manager, Division of Code Enforcement
Karen reported to the office every day during the height of the pandemic. Until very recently, the Queens Code Office did not have a Chief Inspector on board. Karen was our primary contact for all Queens issues and she was able to maintain the office, including inspectorial work, at a very high level. Thank you, Karen, for rising to meet an immense challenge at such a crucial time.
Mohammed Uddin
Supervisor, Emergency Operations Division
In the midst of the pandemic, Mohammed played a significant role in facilitating emergency repairs within privately owned residential apartments. In addition to leading a team of field staff responsible for inspecting, scoping, and monitoring work necessary to repair hazardous conditions, Mohammed was the go to person for performing research and preparing reports associated with high profile repairs.
“I am honored and proud to march for our unsung heroes who contributed to keep our city up and running during a turbulent time. I am grateful to all heroes and their brave acts during a deadly pandemic. My salute and heartfelt thanks to the heroes and their families for their dedication and sacrifice to keep us safe.”
