MARYSVILLE Congratulations to Parks Maintenance Manager Mike Robinson, a vigilant graffiti crime fighter who was named city of Marysville Employee of the Month for January 2008.
Robinson, a 19-year veteran in the Marysville Parks and Recreation Department, has made a significant contribution to the citys efforts to manage the spread of graffiti and vandalism in the Greater Marysville area. He has spent countless additional hours studying current trends and areas of high activity. As a result, he has single-handedly apprehended several individuals in the act or immediately following a crime.
Additionally, Robinson has saved city forces and citizens significant general fund dollars in his efforts. Costs to remove graffiti and related vandalism can run into five digit figures in Marysville. As a result of the graffiti busters collaboration with law enforcement and community development, the city has recorded 550 incidents since August 2007.
Mayor Kendall said in an award presentation at a recent Council meeting, We are pleased to recognize an employee who deserves special recognition for his efforts that have made not only Marysvilles parks a safer and more visibly attractive place to recreate; he has carried that philosophy community-wide.
City Councilmember Jeff Vaughan, Graffiti Task Force, commented on Robinsons humbled approach to the job he does: He says he sees things that dont look right, and he checks it out.
Robinson has been an outstanding representative of the city and has earned praise from the Snohomish County Sheriff, Marysville Crime Prevention and former Chief John Turner, as well as our current Police Chief, Rick Smith.
Mike has spent many weekend evenings of his own time patrolling the citys parks in an effort to maintain a presence in our system. That level of caring and vigilance for the community in which he lives goes well above and beyond the definition of what we would define as a model citizen.
Consider the fact that the time he has been dedicated to his community is time that could have otherwise been spent with his family.
Among his other achievements while employed at the city, Robinson has:
nDeveloped the master plan for the multi-million dollar renovation of Cedarcrest Golf Course;
nPlayed a significant role in the citys park facilities development;
nWas instrumental in development of the Marysville Skate Park; and
nCoordinated the departments volunteer program that provided our community with hundreds of hours of project support and accomplishment we will enjoy for years. Deering Wildflower Acres Park is one example. For another more colorful example closer to home, just look at the tulips and daffodils this spring that will accentuate some of the citys parks and gateways, all done by the hands of volunteers coordinated by Robinson.
Robinson and wife, Vicky, have two children, Jeff and Jennifer, and are grandparents of three children.