Municipal Court held their 17th annual Employee of the Year Award luncheon on April 29 at the Doubletree Hotel. Judges, Administrators, and staff employees were among the 175 attendees. Jacqueline Lee, Chairperson, Employee of the Year Committee, opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks and recognition of the efforts of committee members. Judge Ronald B. Merriweather gave the invocation and Administrative Judge Robert S. Blasi offered a moment of silence for Peggie Lapergola and Connie McHugh in remembrance of their passing. President Judge Alan K. Silberstein served as emcee and presenter of the awards.

Municipal Court Employee of the Year Margaret Solomon (r) with Deputy Court Administrator Kathy Rapone. photo by Frank Talent

Nominees for the Employee of the Year Award included Howard Jetter, Rita McDonough, Peggy McMonagle, Richard McSorley, Maggie Meehan and Margaret Solomon, each of whom were individually honored. Two Special Service Awards were given this year for diligent assistance to Municipal Court. This year's recipients from the Office of the FJD Court Administrator were Programming Manager Michael Kilgallon of Data Processing and Duplicating and Microfilm Supervisor Robert Smith.

While all Employee of the Year nominating petitions contained laudatory remarks about the nominees, the comments about the hard work and dedication of one stood out. Based on the comments of co-workers and Bail Commissioners, the Committee named Margaret Solomon, a Legal Clerk in Preliminary Arraignments, the Municipal Court Employee of the Year.