Bill Text: NY J00832 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating James J. Piccola, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after 38 years of distinguished service to the New York State Department of Transportation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-02 - ADOPTED [J00832 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J00832-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 832

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        CONGRATULATING  James  J.  Piccola,  Jr.  upon the
        occasion  of  his  retirement  after  38  years   of
        distinguished   service   to   the  New  York  State
        Department of Transportation

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
honor  those  distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the  best  interests  of  their
community and the needs of its residents; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern  and  in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
congratulate  James  J. Piccola, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement
after 38 years of distinguished service to the New York State Department
of Transportation; and

  WHEREAS, James J. Piccola, Jr.  earned  an  Associate  of  Arts  and
Sciences  degree  in Building Construction Technology from SUNY Delhi in
1987, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction  Management  from
Utica College in 2003; and

  WHEREAS, James J. Piccola, Jr. began his illustrious career with the
New  York  State  Department  of  Transportation  (NYSDOT)  in 1985 as a
seasonal Transportation Construction Inspector in Region 2 before  being
appointed  to  a full-time Engineering Technician position in the Design
Survey Unit in October of 1990; and

  WHEREAS, Over  the  next  16  years,  James  J.  Piccola,  Jr.  held
progressively  higher  engineering  technician titles while serving as a
Construction  Materials  Inspector,  CADD  Drafter,  Assistant  Regional
Utility Engineer, and Regional Utility Engineer; and

  WHEREAS,  In November of 2006, James J. Piccola, Jr. was promoted to
a Civil Engineer  1  position  in  the  Regional  Planning  and  Program
Management  Group  where  he  served  as  the  Local Project Manager for
Hamilton, Fulton, and Montgomery Counties for seven years; and

  WHEREAS,  James  J.  Piccola,  Jr.  became   the   Regional   Public
Information  Officer (PIO) in 2013, while continuing to serve as a Local
Project Manager; two  years  later,  while  remaining  as  the  PIO,  he
transitioned  to  the Construction Group to be an inspector on the Utica
North South Arterial Project, the esteemed position from which  he  will
officially retire on April 27, 2023; and

  WHEREAS,   James  J.  Piccola,  Jr.  has  continuously  demonstrated
exceptional leadership, teamwork, and work ethic in his role  as  Region
2's  Public  Information  Officer; his efforts have been instrumental in
establishing NYSDOT as a transparent and trustworthy State agency in the
Mohawk Valley Region; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, he is a trusted source of accurate information
for numerous  media  outlets,  elected  officials,  and  the  public  in
general; and


  WHEREAS, Throughout his extraordinary career, which traversed nearly
four  decades,  James J. Piccola, Jr. has served as a vital link between
what is happening on  site  and  with  the  public  with  his  detailed,
consistent  updates,  including  traffic  pattern  changes  that  affect
thousands of motorists every day;  such  transparency  has  made  for  a
smoother process for both contractor and constituent; and

  WHEREAS,  A  longtime  engaged  member and supporter of the New York
State  Association  of  Transportation  Engineers  (NYSATE),  James   J.
Piccola,  Jr.    has  been  a  member  of  Section 2 since 1990, and has
participated in numerous Sectional events and fundraisers; and

  WHEREAS, James J. Piccola, Jr. was the proud recipient of  the  2021
Commissioner's  Meritorious  Achievement  Award  by  NYSDOT,  the second
highest  employee  award,  for  his  substantial  contributions  to  the
department's mission; and

  WHEREAS,   With   a  steadfast  and  unwavering  commitment  to  his
community, James J. Piccola, Jr. has served as an AYSO soccer coach  and
Little  League  baseball coach; his dedication to mentoring young people
was recognized by the Oneida-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES School  and  Business
Alliance; and

  WHEREAS,  In  his  spare time, James J. Piccola, Jr. enjoys cooking,
hiking the Adirondacks, and spending time with family and friends; and

  WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 30 years,  Kathy,
and their two children, Ryan and Marissa, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of his life and rejoice in his many achievements; and

  WHEREAS,  Rare  indeed  is  the  occurrence  of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership,  intellect,  and  commitment  as  that
demonstrated  by  James J. Piccola, Jr. over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  James J. Piccola, Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement,
and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to James J. Piccola, Jr.