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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT FACILITIES & FLEET MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR LEN DUFKIS
WHEREAS, on December 30, 2016, Len Dufkis will complete his 38 year distinguished career as Facilities and Fleet Maintenance Supervisor for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis throughout his career has been highly respected working his way through the ranks from a Laborer to a Supervisor dedicating his life’s work to government public service; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis supervised a diverse staff that was responsible for the routine maintenance, repairs, renovations and services that are necessary to properly maintain the Preserves’ facilities, infrastructures, roadways, parking lots, sewers, basins and picnic tables; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis strove to utilize the latest energy efficient technologies, to improve productivity and responsiveness, and served as a member of the Preserves “Green Team” which introduced green cleaning materials, recycling, LED lighting and other sustainable initiatives to the Preserves; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis was a remarkably dedicated employee with a “can-do” attitude, whose calm demeanor and responsiveness proved invaluable in any crisis situation; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis embraced collaboration and partners and worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as well as other agencies, to leverage resources and share expertise for the benefit of the Preserves and the people of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis worked with leadership and other senior staff to honor the Preserves’ Centennial by refining the Mission, Vision and Values of the Preserves and contributed to the successful development and implementation of the Next Century Conservation Plan; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis made himself available over the course of two years to WYCC PBS Chicago, Juneteenth Production Company and Preserve staff in the production of the Emmy winning documentary film, Chicago’s True Nature: The Forest Preserves of Cook County. He shared his wide range of expertise and knowledge of the Preserves’ natural and cultural assets with the film team and provided them with unique views of the Preserves, guided them through land and water trails, and gave the cameraman and team a rare glimpse of nesting bald eagles and other Preserve highlights; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis delighted in the Preserves’ history and was generous in sharing his knowledge of the Preserve founders Jens Jensen and Dwight Perkins, the significance of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ projects that built bridges, shelters, and other infrastructure that continues to serve the public today; and
WHEREAS, Len Dufkis’ has worked tirelessly to protect the Forest Preserves’ plants and animals and to ensure that the remarkable nature of the Preserves thrives for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, his colleagues at the Forest Preserves and partner agencies will miss his knowledge, kindness, and sense of humor; and
WHEREAS, the residents of Cook County have benefitted greatly from his years of outstanding service to the Forest Preserves, one of the oldest and largest conservation districts in the country; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Board of Commissioners of Cook County and General Superintendent Arnold Randall do hereby extend their thanks to Len Dufkis for his dedication, contributions, leadership and outstanding service and wish him continued good health, happiness and success in all of his future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Len Dufkis as a token of appreciation for his service to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County residents.
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