Ricky Melendez named Elaine Bisbee Award winner

The City of Lewes recently named Ricardo "Ricky" Melendez the recipient of the 2014 Elaine Bisbee Award. The award is handed out each March to a city employee who displays dedication, dependability, reliability and excellent work habits, and who is team-oriented and committed to providing quality service.

Melendez works as the assistant foreman in the city's streets department. He has worked for the city for nearly 15 years. He also won the award in 2011.

He thanked streets department foreman Fred Slater for hiring him as well as city council, city hall staff and his fellow employees.

"The guys who work for me who are always out there doing work, they're the ones who make me look good," he said. "I'm up here because of them."

The award's namesake Elaine Bisbee worked with city of Lewes for 35 years, working her way from secretary to city manager, a position she held for 22 years before retiring in March 2006.

Fellow city employees nominate candidates, which are reviewed by City Manager Paul Eckrich. The final decision on a recipient is determined by mayor and city council.

Past award winners include Carol Richardson (2013), Alice Erickson (2012), Melendez (2011), Ellen Lorraine McCabe (2010), Lenora Dillinger (2009), Gilbert Holt Jr. (2008), James "Bear" McLean (2007) and Jennifer Murphy (2006).