PA NEWS - Port Authority Retirees Association, Inc.

Celebrating Sustainability at SWF
Stewart International Airport got a
jump on Earth Day this week with
an exhibition of the Port Authority’s
various sustainability initiatives at the
airport and sustainability programs in
the community. It included hands-on
displays of solar energy, electric cars,
and porous pavement, which the PA
used in adding more than 800 spaces
to SWF’s main parking lot. It allows
rainwater to be collected for reuse
in landscaping. Thirteen regional
organizations provided information
on green achievements at the airport
and in the community. On hand for the event (front row, from left): Aviation’s
Ed Knoesel, Derek Martin, and Greg Reszka, (back row) Evan Stankunas of AvPORTS,
James Taylor of Taylor BioMass, Rubi Rajbanshi of the PA’s Office of Environmental and
Energy Programs, Aviation’s Arlyn Purcell, and OEEP’s Christine Weydig and Mike Hyams.
Earth Day is April 22.
Employee Profile: Mark Mackey
Title: Crew
Chief/Senior Tunnel
and Bridge Agent,
Lincoln Tunnel.
Residence:
Rockaway, NJ.
Joined the Port
Authority: September
1979.
First job: “I started
as a toll collector,
then became a
Facility Operations Agent, which is
now Tunnel and Bridge Agent, then
Airport Operations Agent, then Senior
TBA.”
Duties: “Responding to vehicular
stoppages, assisting customers, and
operating emergency equipment at
the tunnel and bridge facilities.
I’m the Crew Chief at emergency
situations inside the tunnel and the
highways leading to our facilities.
I'm responsible for the operation of
the emergency equipment, the tow
trucks that also carry our vehicle
firefighting system, and the emergency
response vehicle, which carries
the vehicle extrication tools, airbags,
and hazmat kits, as well as all our
medical equipment, such as the
2 PA News / April 21, 2011
automated external
defibrillator, oxygen,
and other life-saving
devices.”
Most challenging
aspects:
“Implementing our
extensive training at a
scene under, at times,
stressful conditions.
It is very challenging
dealing with people
trapped and seriously
hurt in motor vehicle accidents. Also,
driving into the tunnel with very heavy
smoke because of a fully involved
vehicle fire. You have to trust your
instincts. Also, stopping a fire from
either spreading to other vehicles or
damaging the tunnel.”
James Calabrese
Personal interests: “Fishing –
and I was just introduced to skeet
shooting. And the Yankees.”
Thoughts about the job:
“It is just amazing to see all the men
and women in the TBA units come
together at a very big accident. Also,
all the different things that happen,
from delivering babies to wrangling
horses from those hansom carriages
running through the tunnel.”
Barry Henck
Calendar
Shomrim Meeting
The Port Authority Shomrim Society
will meet on Wednesday, May 4, 6 p.m.,
at Broadway Jerusalem 2 Pizza, 1375
Broadway between 37th and 38th streets
in Manhattan.
If you plan to attend, RSVP to Shomrim
Society Secretary Betty Astrizky by May 2
and mention any topics you’d like to
discuss.
PA Employe Golf Outing
The 45th Annual Port Authority
Employee Golf Outing is set for Monday,
June 6, at LaTourette Golf Course on
Staten Island.
Registration and box lunch at noon,
shotgun start at 1:30, dinner and prizes
after the golf. See Employee Bulletins for
more details.
NBE Fundraiser
The Port Authority Network of Black
Employees will hold its Carl Creque
Scholarship Fundraiser at the Culinary
Conference Center in Jersey City on Friday,
April 29, 6 to 10 p.m. RSVP by April 22.
See Employee Bulletins for details.
Retired Engineers Meet
The Long Island PA Retired Engineers
Luncheon will be held at noon on Thursday,
May 5, at the Pompei Restaurant in West
Hempstead.
For more information, contact Mike
D’Angelo at mike11803@hotmail.com
by April 28.
Bike for Cause
Voices of September 11th – a charity
that provides information, support services,
and annual commemorative events for
9/11 families, rescue workers, and survivors
– is looking for riders to participate on its
behalf in the upcoming TD 5 Boro Bike
Tour on May 1.
The tour covers 42 miles through the
five boroughs, taking in views of iconic city
landmarks.
Visit voicesofseptember11.org/dev/
events/2011/fiveborobiketour.html to register.
Last Wednesday
The Last Wednesday of the Month Club
of PA retirees will meet at noon on April 27
at In Napoli Restaurant in Fort Lee. Active
employees are welcome. Contact Bob
Parisi at bobp106@optonline.net for
more information.