Our Backgrounds
Nelly Ibanez - President
Executive Asst. Office
I came to the United States from Colombia at the age of 10 years old and
like many before and after me I believe in the American Dream. I had the
opportunity to get an education and started working for the Department
of Sanitation in 1981.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members and their
families for their support in our endeavor to continue to move forward and
take this organization to the next level of achievement.
I'm grateful for all the efforts, dedication, and sacrifice everyone has put
forth to get the organization off the ground and believing in making a
difference.
Let's continue to be the driving force that will make a difference as members
of this organization and the great Department of Sanitation.
PA'LANTE Always!!!!
RICHARD ORTEGA - Vice President
Bronx Enforcement Unit
Nancy Colon - Treasurer
Operations Management Division
Alice Zayas - Secretary
Cleaning Office
Edgar Soto - Historian
Supervisor Man-08
Leticia Smith D\S BkN-05
Brooklyn North Representative
RAFAEL "MAX" GUTIERREZ SUPV.
Bureau Waste Disposal Representative
Roberto Cruz Sanitation Worker
Brooklyn North 05 Garage
Hóla hermanos, Soy, Roberto Cruz Sanitation Worker from Bkn5, and I am your Latino Brooklyn North Director. Soy Aguadillano/Boricua from Ellery street in WillyB from way back when. I left Brooklyn for 4 years to study at the University of Miami.
Life's many turns brought me back and like all of you, I am now a proud member of NY's Strongest. It's great to belong to an "all inclusive" fraternal organization "de los nuestros y por los nuestros" We are a young group, but our potential has no boundaries except those that we impose on ourselves.
We need your help and your ideas so that we can make the Sanitation Association De Latinos a proud and constructive force within the department and our barrios. Sin nada mas. Bienvenidos and I'm looking forward to meeting you all in one of our many functions.
Jose Garcia - Deputy Chief (Retired)
Trustee
Jose Garcia was the Deputy Chief (ABS) of the Manhattan Borough Office. He founded the Association more than a year ago. With his hard work and dedication this Association has become a huge success. At the first annual Dinner Dance, held this past October. His message to all those present at our first Dinner Dance was as follows:
"The commitment to endless hours of intense labor associated with the planning, organizing and running of this historical first Sanitation Association de Latinos dinner dance, demonstrate the true and genuine dedication that the board members of this fraternal organization hold for their members and supporters who have been there from the very start. Stepping forward and facing the challanges placed before this organization has been a tough uphill battle, and yet no one lost focus of its goals...Allow me, as your President to say Thank you, to all who believe that we can make a difference in bringing together an atmosphere where the Latino pride can make a contribution to this great department. Our name will continue to be Sanitation Association de Latinos and our slogan Pa'Lante.....The driving force that will make a difference!"
Robert "Bobby O" Oliveras Supervisor (Retired)
Trustee
Born 1953 at Bellevue Hospital IN Manhattan. I grew up both in the Lower East Side and South Bronx. In 1970 at 17 years of age I enlisted in the U.S. Army infantry and was promoted to 101 Airborne Division during the Vietnam conflict. I was awarded several medals and citations. While in Okinawa, Japan I enrolled in the Martial Arts(Karate Do, JiuJitsu,and stick fighting) to enhance my military defense. Years after in New York, I opened a martial art school - U.S.A. Martial Arts School.
I did a stint with N.Y.S. Dept of Corrections until D.S.N.Y. called which I embraced in 1989. I worked at my first 8 years in the Bronx (Bx 2, Bx 3A, Bx 5, Bx 7). I then transfered to MW7 where I became Wrecker man / GU extrodinare. Just got the job done! I worked there 6 1/2 years then was promoted to Supervisor at M9. I did 3 years at M10 and currently back again at M9. I've covered every district in Manhattan during which time I saw a lack of representation for Latinos.
I noticed that all other groups had representation to guide and lead them so they could grow in the dept. At this time I corroborated with another two Supervisors which shared my views. I pestered Deputy Chief Garcia and District Chief Vergera to help us.They also felt the need to help and lead Latinos to advance as they had - advancement with pride and guideance. We are still young compared to the other organizations but we can stand proud that from 3 members in 2006, along with the Commisioner's blessing, we have grown to approximately 400 members in just 3 years.
We have made our presence known especially with all our functions and our barbecue and also the help we give to our communities and it's people. As always I am proud we are finally moving PALANTE.