City Commission Honors Three Community Leaders

Three people who play vital roles in the community were honored for their services at the City Commission meeting on Monday night.

Safety Harbor firefighter/paramedic Captain Chris Palmieri was named the Outstanding City Employee of 2012 for his many contributions to the community, including helping to develop a fire hydrant mapping system.

Palmieri, a 12-year veteran of the department, was given a plaque in honor of his service by Mayor Andy Steingold, who praised his tireless commitment to the city.

And two individuals, Gisela Bennie and Joe Caisse, were chosen to be leaders of the holiday festivities this year, which include the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 7 and the holiday parade on Dec. 15.

In approving the selections, Steingold said he always sees Bennie working on projects around town, and he admitted that Caisse has almost single-handedly tried to eradicate the air potato problem in Safety Harbor himself.

NOTE: Chris Palmieri was named Outstanding Employee for the Fall quarter of 2012, not the entire year. There are four outstanding employees named every year. Thanks to City Manager Matt Spoor for clarifying the error.