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Honoring Barry Bessler, on the occasion of his retirement as Director of Policy and Compliance for the Department of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and recognizing his 40 years of service to the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Barry was born and raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Northeast High School in 1975 and then went on to attain his Bachelor of Sciences from Pennsylvania State University in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Following his graduation from Penn State, Barry started working as a Park Manager for the Fairmount Park Commission; and
WHEREAS, Barry would take on many different roles and responsibilities with the Fairmount Park Commission from Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, to Chief of Staff to the Executive Director. Barry was a leader within the organization and held the institutional knowledge necessary to oversee operations and lend support to each department; and
WHEREAS, When the Fairmount Park Commission became the Department of Parks and Recreation, Barry was an integral piece to a smooth transition using his institutional knowledge to adapt and adjust; and
WHEREAS, After the Department of Parks and Recreation was established, Barry would hold the position of Chief of Staff to the Deputy Commissioner and then Director of Policy and Compliance; and
WHEREAS, In this position Barry supervised the Special Events unit, acted as the Department's liaison with the City Solicitor's office and Risk management on all legal matters and claims, oversaw the wildlife management programs, managed departmental telecommunications, and held the role of Open Records Officer; and
WHEREAS, Barry has also been a Board member for the Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy since 2007; and
WHEREAS, His leadership extends outside of City government, as Barry is in Holy Ghost Preparatory School's Hall of Fame as one of their long-time Junior Varsity basketball coaches; and
WHEREAS, Barry has been the liaison for the success of many Council o...
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