Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Paul Halfmann, in my opinion, is the absolute perfect
example of a public servant. Paul cares about all of the
populations that he serves. He cares as much about
a prisoner who doesn't have soap or adequate sanitation
safeguards in their cell, as much as he cares about a
local public health person who feels overwhelmed and
needs help in understanding the housing code or some
other enforcement issue.
Well, community sanitation is involved and responsible
for several different things. First of all, our main charge
is to support local boards of health in their efforts to
enforce the state's sanitary code. Housing, swimming
pools, recreational camps for children, campgrounds,
anything along those lines. Our direct staff will
inspect state-owned properties, which are correctional
facilities, DYS detention centers, local police lock-ups,
and then the state owns swimming pools and
campgrounds. I really enjoy the job. It's always
different. You never know when the phone rings what's
going to happen, because when we deal with
approximately 12 to 13 regulations, a phone call
could involve any one or any combination of those.
So I don't think you really consider yourself someone
who's going to get an award like this. But it really is
quite an honor when you think about the number of
people, being able to represent your bureau - it really
is an honor.