NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Friday, December 2, 2005

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INCIDENTS

Blue Ridge Parkway

Reported Armed Robbery

On Sunday, November 27th, rangers received a report of an armed robbery that had occurred in the Afton Mountain Overlook at mile post 0 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rangers interviewed the victim, a 50 year old man who had suffered a broken arm during the incident. According to his statement, he had just gotten out of his vehicle at the overlook between 4:30 and 5:00 pm when a man from another vehicle pointed a handgun at him. A second individual took his wallet and pushed him to the ground. Both suspects then left the area in a green sedan. There were no other witnesses. Rangers are continuing the investigation with the assistance of an NPS special agent and local agencies. [Bruce Bytnar, District Ranger]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

George Washington Memorial Parkway

GS-025 14/15 Superintendent

The superintendent of the parkway manages national park lands in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia adjacent to the Potomac River. In addition to serving as a gateway to the federal city, the park includes diverse resources such as Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial, Clara Barton National Historic Site, Great Falls Park, Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove, Glen Echo Park, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, Fort Hunt, and the U.S. Marine Corp War Memorial (Iwo Jima). This assignment offers extensive opportunities in the areas of partnerships, planning, development, and construction, as well as traditional skills such as resource management, concessions management and visitor services. The announcement closes on December 14th. For a copy, click on “More Information” below.

HYPERLINK "http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=36446838&AVSDM=2005%2D11%2D14+23%3A23%3A14&Logo=0&q=Superintendent,+George+Washington+Memorial+Parkway&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&SUBMIT1.x=0&SUBMIT1.y=0" http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=36446838&AVSDM=2005%2D11%2D14+23%3A23%3A14&Logo=0&q=Superintendent,+George+Washington+Memorial+Parkway&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y&SUBMIT1.x=0&SUBMIT1.y=0

[Bill Line, NCRO]

Lake Roosevelt NRA

Marlene Igo To Retire

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will soon be loosing its management assistant/administrative officer. After nearly 31 years of federal service, Marlene Igo will be able to join Mark (who has been retired for six years) and enjoy some long motor home trips that they have planned. Marlene's retirement date is January 7th - a potluck farewell is planned for Tuesday, December 13th, at park headquarters.

“I have had an interesting government career, most of it with the NPS,” says Marlene, “but have also worked for the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service, US Border Patrol, and the Social Security Administration.

Marlene has worked/lived in the following NPS areas: Big Bend NP, Amistad NRA, Glen Canyon NRA (in Page, Arizona), Curecanti NRA, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, a return assignment to Glen Canyon NRA (Uplake District), Pinnacles NM, two details to Yosemite NP, and, for the past six years, Lake Roosevelt NRA.

Marlene and Mark will be maintaining their Washington state residence and may be contacted at 607 Birch St., Coulee Dam, WA 99116 (phone: 509-633-8339, cell phone: 509-641-2002).

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my years with NPS and I'm sure several of you will be seeing us as we come through your areas,” she says. “Thanks for the great memories!”

Canyon de Chelly NM

Passing of Caleb Wilson

Canyon de Chelly National Monument is sad to report the loss of one of the park's exotic plant/fire team crew members. Caleb Wilson, a local resident born and raised near the monument, passed away on the weekend of November 27th. Caleb was best known for his dedication to the park - especially the removal of exotic species. He worked tirelessly throughout the year and just recently returned from assisting Everglades National Park in Hurricane Wilma relief efforts. Caleb's brother told the park that "nothing made Caleb more proud in the last year than to be a National Park Service employee and to help on the watershed project". The family has requested that the team escort Caleb's body, dressed in their green and yellow field uniforms, during the funeral procession. The memorial is scheduled for Saturday morning at 10.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Del Muerto. Caleb and his enthusiasm, smile, and dedication will be greatly missed. (Elaine Leslie, Assistant Superintendent)

Grand Canyon NP

Sherrie Collins Retiring

Sherrie Collins, deputy chief ranger at Grand Canyon NP, will be retiring this coming April. She has already physically left the NPS to work for Coconino County in Arizona. We are starting to plan festivities for her departure from NPS - stay tuned for party date, location, etc. In the meanwhile, we need your assistance. We are putting together a quilt (surprise) for Sherrie. If you are interested in donating a square, please send them to Jen Flynn at the address listed below. Each square should be 12” square (finished) and should represent Sherrie. Please stick with the hunter green, maroon, navy blue and cream colors but the design is up to you (appliqué, pieced, cross-stitched, etc). All squares must be sent to Jen by January 31st. Her address: Jen Flynn, 121 Cottontail Drive, Ranson WV 25438. In addition, a memory album will be put together for Sherrie - please send stories, photos, antidotes, etc to Jenny Dems via email or to 7322 South Miller Street, Littleton, CO 80127. [Jenny Dems]

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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