New Albany city gardener
The city of Albany announced today that Jessica Morgan, an 8-year DGS employee, is the new city gardener. She follows the much-admired Judy Stacey, who retired earlier this year. What's the big deal about the city gardener? She's the person who heads the city's planting of 200,000+ tulips each year. (press release pasted after jump)
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I am very happy to announce Jessica Morgan as my appointment to the position of City Gardner. Jessica has been with the department for over 8 years starting as a seasonal employee on the gardening crew progressing to an equipment operator and at times an acting supervisor.
Her record as a DGS employee has been outstanding. Her positive attitude, known leadership qualities and ability to work with others are just some of the reasons why she was selected. One of her greatest qualities I have witnessed over the years is her love for the city and our beautification efforts in which she has had a critical role in.
I believe with all of these qualities she will make an outstanding City Gardner and I am proud to have her as part of my management team.
Thank you
Nick D'Antonio
Commissioner
Department of General Service
City of Albany
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Comments
She's got big shoes to fill!
... said Ron on Oct 20, 2011 at 8:33 AM | link
While I think it's great to promote from within organizations, I wonder if this position was advertised in any public way. As a civil service job, was this open competitive?
My thought on the role of the City Gardener for the 21st Century is that it go beyond beautification (though that is important, especially the Tulip Festival) to include some outreach to encourage "urban farming." The community gardens (24 sites in Albany under the oversight of Capital District Community Gardens) are not big enough for all the Albany residents who want to grow some of their own food. But many people have back yards, window boxes, and front stoops for container gardening and the City Gardener could provide education to help people utilize these spaces to grow food.
... said chrisck on Oct 20, 2011 at 11:58 AM | link
JULIA MORGAN's title deserves capitalization (City Gardner)!!! Our accidental encounter with her made Tulip Festival an awesome event in the steady drizzle Friday when she graciously shared her vast knowledge of horticulture, city landscaping and human nature with ordinary folks hungry for beauty and peace..
... said Nancy Harrigan on May 8, 2016 at 11:44 AM | link
I have to chime in and say the 2016 tulip beds in Washington Park are the best I have seen! Ms. Morgan and her crew deserve a lot of praise for their work on them.
... said Paula on May 9, 2016 at 7:49 AM | link