Department of Housing and Community Development

Matt Munski “was a professional from the very beginning.”

          “He was well prepared, pleasant, and most importantly, knowledgeable about the material he presented.  He specifically tailored his presentation for my group and I could tell he sincerely wanted to help.  He is an invaluable employee and should be commended for his time and effort in assisting our department.” 

Felecia Mack, Julie Odlum and Barbara Canseco “are very professional and caring to those of us needing housing assistance.  Felecia has a wonderful ability to handle any questions and concerns of mine.  Barbara and Julie are also very professional and sweet.  You should be honored to have these ladies on your staff.”

During one of the Veteran Affairs Supporting Housing (VASH) meetings the department received this comment:

“This has been a very professional and outstanding meeting.  I would like to thank the County of San Diego and HCD staff for their quality service in caring for the community.”

B.J. Gloudon received an email of appreciation that included the following text:

          “I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your help.  I thank you for all the information you gave me and your genuine concern about my situation and the added encouragement.  You scolded me but did not belittle me.  After my meeting with you, I felt like I was heard and that an action would take place.  I can say with confidence that I will consider Section 8 participants as renters again.”

Kesone Luangvannasy “deserves to be recognized and congratulated for the time she put into helping me.”

          “Unique is the word to describe her professionalism in explaining my housing options and the available services that are generously provided by your department.  She had everlasting patience with my barrage of questions, concerns and phone calls.  I want to thank her for everything she has done.”

Todd Hudson “was a wonderful case worker.”

          “He was always devoted to his job and dedicated to helping his clients in any way that he could.  He was always available to answer my questions and he had a kind and courteous manner about him.  He worked within the system to  make sure his clients were compliant to the rules and regulations of HUD.  He is truly an asset to the County and it showed in his honesty, integrity and compassion.  There is an Irish saying that there are angels disguised as humans that walk on this earth.  I truly believe Mr. Todd Hudson is one of them!”

Nancy Syzonenko (Agriculture, Weights and Measures)

Nancy Syzonenko (Agriculture, Weights & Measures) was thanked by the owner of one of San Diego’s largest farm & garden supply businesses.

          “I really appreciate the help that Nancy has given us in regards to label interpretation and how to determine if a use is compatible for a specific customer.  We have a lot of customers that we send to the Ag Department in order to obtain an operator ID or other required certification.  Nancy and your staff are very helpful and take the time to explain the regulations to them.  I wanted to say how much we appreciate her and that she deserves kudos from your department.”

Randall Taylor (Calfornia Children Services)

Randall Taylor (California Children Services) “is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful therapists we’ve ever had.”

          “Randall is always quick to research and offer helpful suggestions, even providing us with informational printouts.  In this age of so much technology his knowledge is truly such a valuable asset.  Randall is very patient and kind and always makes our son feel at ease throughout the visit.  I feel he goes above and beyond his normal duties, not only for us, but for all his families.  He is well loved in the community.

          “In the years we have been coming to CCS, I must say that the Escondido Medical Therapy Unit is truly superior when it comes to expert care and treating patients with respect and dignity.  We are honored to be one of your patients and grateful for all the good service and warm care that we always receive from all of you!

KUDOS to the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office

Denise Olson “handled the problem I had in a matter of minutes.  This was a great relief.”

          “While I am sure Denise and those who have the same position with the County deal with a lot of individuals who are less then enjoyable and appreciative of their efforts, I can assure you there are a lot of us out here who do appreciate Denise’s efforts and those in her position with the County.”

Kim Dinh “is a credit to your department.”

          “Congratulations on the wonderful service provided by your employee Kim.  She has a wonderfully patient and pleasant attitude when dealing with the public, not to mention complete and proper information.”

Alan Reddick received a sweet thank you note:   

“I want to thank you so kindly for your help with my questions.  It was such a pleasure and you were so very efficient and nice.  I wish you all the success in your future.”

P.S. “I am a little old lady and I needed all the help that I could get!”

KUDOS to the Staff of Department of Child Support Services

Rebecca Rider, Misty Ortiz and Julie Beckholm “have been very helpful and courteous in handling a complex case.  Their efforts and follow-through have made my experience at DCSS a positive one.  All three individuals have helped strengthen and promote the positive attributes of DCSS/FSD.  They have gone above and beyond and their helpful attitudes are commendable.”

Vince Lopez “was helpful, direct and very polite.  His research of the facts in my support case was really well done.”

Zenaida Jimenez “made my visit easier and helped me learn my way through the court system (and some math too!)  She was calm, patient and very nice.  She walked through the steps with me and taught me a lot.”

Theresa Morales- McNut “was very fair and understanding; helpful, professional and friendly.  She is a great asset to your department."

"I am very happy with the service I received from the staff at DCSS.  It’s a hard job and they do it well; each person I met through the process.”



Karen Tolliver (Housing & Community Development)

Tolliver receives excellent customer service evaluations for consistently “doing a great job.”

“Ms. Tolliver has kept landlords and participants well informed throughout the entire inspection process.”  “She has been extremely professional, prompt, polite, friendly, nice, very accommodating and helpful.”

Nancy Varshay (Housing & Community Development)

Varshay was thanked for “all of her attention and support.”

“You are by far the most competent and thoughtful person I have dealt with so far.  I am so grateful for you.  Because of you, I have a better state of mental health.  There is no price to put on that.”

Bob Atkins (Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer)

Atkins was thanked for his participation at the State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting in Sacramento.

“Without the resources, dedication and personnel that you provide to protect California agriculture – our agricultural landscape would be much different.  Your continued efforts at the local level provide critical services to support California farmers and ranchers while ensuring fairness within the marketplace.”

Tess Surmillion (Health & Human Services)

Surmillion “is a great employee and a true asset to your team.”

“I had the pleasure of meeting Tess one week ago when I came into the office.  My son’s Medical had accidentally expired and his in home supportive services were going to be canceled.  Tess took the time to make sure my application was correctly filled out with the proper backup and she followed through and made sure his services would not be cancelled.  I am very grateful for her assistance and dedication.”

Todd McCracken (Assessor’s Office)

McCracken “routinely went out of his way to ensure that I was treated fairly, professionally, and with compassion.”

 “I have had the pleasure to work with one of your employees, Mr. Todd McCracken, for the past few weeks and he has been nothing short of outstanding.  I am a U.S. service member serving overseas and I often deal with misplaced mail and companies that refuse to accept the restraints and constraints service members have these days.  The quality and professionalism of Mr. McCracken ranks VERY HIGH in all of my business dealings around the world.”

Barbara Hensley, Vanessa Alden and Toi Bradley (California Children Services)

The trio received a great thank you from a grateful parent.

“I was frustrated and tired and you took the time to listen and gave me the first piece of good advice.  You and your fellow co-workers have given me the information to actually get me where I need to be to get the proper care for my daughter.  It is nice and refreshing to get good advice and instruction.  I have literally taken any instruction the three of you have given me and ran with it and have made progress.”

KUDOS to the Staff of the North Central Family Resource Center

Theresa Drager received several letters from her clients for “going the extra mile.”

"Theresa helped me so much!  No other worker has given me so much information and answered every question I had.  She was friendly, courteous and very helpful…”

“I wanted to tell you just how much help Ms. Drager was today.  I have been struggling this past year and my situation is complicated.  Ms. Drager has been able to guide me both personally and for my business.  She certainly knows how all the forms work and what information is required.  She worked very quickly and diligently in getting my caser in order.”

Michael Lehman “is professional, courteous and kind. Michael resolved my share of cost issues.  It was a matter of life and death for me.  I’m a liver transplant recipient and my meds are $5,000 a month.”

Judy Baker “made my day!”

“I have rarely had such a pleasurable experience doing something so emotionally stressing as this.  I was treated with the utmost respect.  I commend this agency for hiring her and wish all companies had such an asset.”

One of their clients wrote that she wanted Miriam Brilliante-Hudson, Linda Perry, Lucy Vincente and Bridget Jenkins to “all receive Kudos.”

“I have had many visits to this office and there is not a one of your staff who has not been friendly, courteous, informed and helpful.”

Mokhala Vongsavath was recognized for the “patient and courteous manner” in which he handled one of her cases.

“As you can appreciate, over and above having to deal with a parent or relative who has suffered a long term care event and, in our mother’s case, is a victim of the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease, it is equally horrendous preparing the endless paperwork needed to resolve the status for approvals.”

“Your total assistance through this entire ordeal has been wonderful, helpful, warm and sensitive, and to that end, we would like your supervisors as well as the Executive Office of Health & Human Services to know of your unique management of our affairs.  Our sincere appreciation to you and the County’s Department of Health & Human Services.”

Peggy Hobson, Tyrone Dennison, (DPLU) Tom Lambert and Danny Collins (DEH)

These employees saved a prospective buyer “from making a mistake that would have been expensive and unfair to me as the purchaser.”

“I want to thank you for your kind assistance in my search for a property in San Diego County.  You spent a considerable amount of time explaining the issues of each property that a buyer should understand.  I appreciate the maps you supplied and the other information which helped in making a decision as to the right property for me. I now understand that there are complex issues that enter into building a house that buyers generally are not informed about.  I am most grateful to all of you for your good service and the information you have supplied as I continue to search for a property I would like to buy and build on.  The system you have for gathering information is very efficient.  You provide a valuable service to the public.”

Roberto Garcia (ACCESS/HHSA)

Garcia “went above and beyond to help me.”

“Today I called for help and was assisted by Mr. Roberto.  He showed great patience assisting me with my problem.  He took care of my issues, gave me pertinent information for the future and was very helpful.  Roberto took the time to understand and answered all of my questions.  He should be commended!”

Pat Nolan (Agricultural Scientist/AWM)

Nolan was thanked by the Unified Port of San Diego Integrated Pest Management Committee for her presentation at the 2010 Landscape Professionals Meeting.

“Your presentation was enjoyed by over 120 people.  The audience included landscapers, college instructors and governmental agency staff as well as private companies, pest control advisors and applicators.  The evaluations for the meeting were quite good.  Thanks again for making this meeting a success.”

Rufina Cruz, Northeast FRC/HHSA

Cruz “may have saved both mine and my children’s lives.”

“I would like to thank Ms. Rufina for her assistance in protecting my address and our ‘where-abouts’ from my children’s abusive father.  In moving to a new county it is extremely vital that my location information remain confidential to ensure the safety of both my children and myself.  Upon receiving the public assistance investigators report to verify my residence, Ms. Rufina noticed the notation for suppression of my address and called me immediately.  She was concerned that my physical address may have been compromised and requested that l provide proof of being ‘Safe at Home’.  She promptly removed the physical address that was mistakenly placed in the system and replaced it with my ‘Safe at Home’ address.”

Northeast FRC/HHSA

“The female employee that issued my card was so sweet, friendly, effective and efficient.  The people at the windows and on the 866 line, along with the person receiving my paperwork were all well versed in their job knowledge and efficiency.  This has helped my child and me in ways that are immeasurable.  God bless and may thanks.”

Mercedes Jones (Housing & Community Development)

Jones was thanked “for all of the help extended to our family over the years.”

“It is with great pleasure that I ask you to rescind any financial support you are giving us with respect to the rent immediately.  I will be paying my own way from now on.  It is a painstaking decision but I hope that your program can apply these newly acquired funds to another family in need of the same care and support you have extended to mine while we got on our feet.  We will continue to look forward and work hard to achieve our goals.  Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.”

Solita Medina (California Children Services)

Medina received a nice note from a grateful mother.

“Thank you for providing CCS services for my daughter for all of these years.  She is the healthiest she has ever been, now at age 15.  Without your help with the open heart surgery and other things she might have died by now.  Your services have helped our family.”

Jean Weber (North Inland FRC/HHSA)

Weber “gave me the strength to move on with my life.”

“Never would I imagine that I would be here applying for help.  I felt like a person who had lost their dignity.  Jean was incredible!  She was professional, and yet kind.  This wonderful, caring and compassionate woman let me know that it’s ok to ask for help if you need it.”