Fire, Police have promotion ceremonies

02/09/2007

By: Tristram DeRoma , Bard Editor

The Fire Department recently had an official swearing-in ceremony for the new Chief, John Cybart, who took over a few months ago after then Chief Ron Nattrass retired.

Cybart said at the ceremony he's honored by the promotion to the top rank, glad by "the trust and confidence the mayor (James Miron) has placed in me and my staff."

With the promotion of the chief, others in the department moved on up as well, including: James Mecozzi, Matthew Morse and Brian Ruskin who were promoted to the rank of lieutenant; Ellen Howley, who was promoted to assistant fire chief and Michael Hostetter, who was promoted who takes Cybart's former place as deputy fire chief.

The Fire Department wasn't the only emergency services department that had a promotional ceremony; Stratford's Police Department had one also.

The ceremony included 28 promotions and 18 awards as well as the retirement of six officers.

Promotions included Victor Velez making corporal; Jennifer Farinella and David Gugliotti becoming making detective; Robert Sampson, Shawn Farmer, Fred Wilcoxson, Melissa Niemic and Curtis Eller making sergeant; David Salik, Orlando Soto, Patrick Freer, James Heffernan making lieutenant; Kenneth Bakalar, Thomas Rodia and Chris Marino made captain and Joseph LoShiavo made deputy chief. Mike Imbro is still police chief but he recently accepted a retirement package from the town.

New officers include Adam Mulkern, Justin and Joseph LoShiavo, Paul Fressola, Christopher Goode, Lawrence Castelot, Jason Creatore and Rachel Solviera as Stratford's newest animal control officer.

The Stratford Police Department also retired six officers, including: Capt. Harvey Maxwell, and Capt. Gene Vedock,; Deputy Chief Paul Aurelia, Capt. Andrew Knapp, Detective John Walton and Animal Control Officer Michael Griffin.

There was also an awards presentation at the ceremony, where 13 officers and one civilian received awards.

Adorno Sampher received the department's "Civilian Award;" officers Brian Hamm and Sean Gallagher received the "Military Service Award": Officer Sarah Patrick and Detective Peter Grinrod received the "Criminal Investigation Award;" Officers John Steedley, Douglas O'Meara, Jason DeLauri, Lt. Al Wilcoxson and Sgt. Frank Eannotti each received the "Excellent Arrest Award;" Detective David Gugliotti and Officer John Therina each received the "Lifesaving Award," Corp. Brian Norko and officers John Steedley, Shaun Martinez, Bob Burroughs, Len Rosati, and Jeffrey Nattrass each received Distinguished Service Medals and Lt. Ron Jersey (retired) received a "Medal of Valor."

Commendation certificates from the Polish Government were also given out to Sgt. Jerry Pinto and officers John Policiano and Jaime Rivera.