b"\x02Brian MiddendorfNYCHA, Assistant SuperintendentIn his own wordsI was a maintenance worker at Jacob Riis Houses. I was given a toilet stoppage work ticket. I went to the apartmentand proceeded to the bathroom. I attempted to clear the stoppage for about fifteen minutes. I could not clear the stop-page and lifted the bowl. I turned the bowl upside down in the bathtub and found chicken legs all stuck together. Thetenant came to the bathroom door and I said to her, I know what you had for supper. I told her chicken legs. She said,Oh, my God! I left them for my husband and he must have flushed them down the toilet. We both laughed. I put thebowl back and left the apartment.\x02Raul BetancourtNYCHA, Environmental InspectorMember since 1986In his own wordsOn this morning in 1985, I reported to the unemployment office on 14th St. as required by the Department of Labor forformal unemployment benefits. I was also informed that a Citywide exam was about to be given for maintenance workers forall New York City agencies. Having a handyman and superintendent background in the private sector should work for me. I took the exam and passed it!! When I asked one of the workers which agency would be best to work for if I'm looking for advancement, they said New York City Housing Authority is the place to go. I was shortly notified by different agencies, andthen I was informed to report and fill out paperwork and prepare for work duty at that time. I wasn't ready at the time. However, in1986,NYCHA notified me that it was going to drop my name from their list. I was instructed to report to 250 Broadway-Personnel Dept. At that time, they informed me that the only available maintenance position they were hiring for was a task force for Child Safety Guard installers for the five boroughs and that is where it all started.That was the first time I metMr. J. Arecchiwho was to be one of my many mentors in NYCHA. He was one of the superintendents in charge of the security and hardware department. Work started withAssistant Superintendent Mr. E.Cruzat Jefferson houses in Manhattan. This program lasted approximately 5 years within all five boroughs. During thistime, I was also the acting supervisor for Mr. Arecchi (thank you for your confidence and support!).Best of all, I was votedthe Shop Steward for our unit. This gave me an up-close-and-personal view of our Union. Our goal was to have each andevery development at 100 percent Child Safety Guard in place.On or about 1991, Mr. Arecchi went over to 250 Broadway to meet with Chief A. DeBlasio andSuperintendent Mr. M.McCaffreywho were in charge of the environmental program. He informed them that I would be a major asset to the unit.I was transferred right there on the spot.Mr. McCaffreywas also to become one of my many mentors.Then, between 1991- 1992 while I was still a maintenance worker, I proceeded to take exams to become certified asan asbestos worker on the survey crew. Just like myself and other housing workers, we never heard of an asbestos unitwithin NYCHA. We were required by law to be certified, to be able to do asbestos bulk sampling and for being able towear a HEPA filter face mask.211 "