Brooklyn courts show the love for Charmaine Johnson at retirement party
Members of the Kings County Supreme Court held a retirement party for Charmaine Johnson, who is leaving after nearly three decades working in the court. Pictured from left: Hon. Lawrence Knipel, administrative judge, Civil Term; Hon. Robin Sheares; Charmaine Johnson; Charles Small and Daniel Alessandrino.
Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese
Employees of the Kings County Supreme Court packed into the ceremonial courtroom on Thursday to say goodbye to Charmaine Johnson, who is retiring from the court after nearly 30 years of service.
“It’s a great pleasure to be here today to mark the retirement of Charmaine Johnson and to celebrate all of the remarkable contributions she has made to our court and our court family,” said Hon. Lawrence Knipel, administrative judge of the Supreme Court, Civil Term.
“No matter what she has undertaken, she exhibited hard work, dedication, professional commitment and a wealth of knowledge.”
Hon. Deborah Dowling could not attend the party so she prerecorded a brief video message for Charmaine.
Johnson first came to the court system to work for Judge Salvatore DeMatteo and held various positions over the years. She also helped out on numerous committees including the Bring Your Child to Work Committee, the Black History Month Culinary Committee, the Caribbean Heritage Month Committee and the Employee of the Year Committee.
What really made Johnson stand out was the work she did with the Summer Youth Employment Program that she took over when Izetta Johnson (no relation) retired.
I’ve had the real pleasure of working very closely with Charmaine,” said Chief Clerk Charles Small. “When Izetta’s position came up, there were many people that we discussed, but when we talked about Charmaine, she really felt like the right person, with the passion and love for kids. She has not disappointed.”
The court interns became such a big part of Johnson’s life that when it came time for her to speak at the retirement party, she only did so after calling all of the past and current court interns up to the podium to stand with her. She said that leading that program was one of the most fulfilling things that she had done in her life.
“When I came here, I did not know what to expect,” Johnson said. “I was scared, nervous and I did not know the ins and outs of a courthouse. Everything I knew was negative. The most I knew was that this was a place where you came to get judged, and you could end up in jail.
I knew that when the interns came here, they could be scared. It was up to me and the supervisors to assure them that this was a place where they could learn.”
The party to say goodbye was truly a celebration. Run by Hon. Robin Sheares with the help of many including Lissette Morales and Betty Matondo-John, plus Hon. Deborah Dowling, who couldn’t be there, but pre-recorded a goodbye message that was played for everyone to enjoy.
A handful of people gave short speeches including Justice Knipel; Chief Clerks Charles Small and Daniel Alessandrino, who brought a message from Hon. Matthew D’Emic with him; and Fausto Sabatino, president of Local 1070, DC37, who also presented Johnson with a plaque.
From left: Hon. Robin Sheares, David Polk, Charmaine Johnson, Leah Richardson and Xavier Carr.
Jazmin Rose Gordon, Michael McFarlane, Iris Gordon, Charmaine Johnson, Son Newman, Sandra Gordon and C.O. Osland Souvenir.
From left: Hon. Dena Douglas, Hon. Derefim Bernadette Neckles and Mireille Mccrimon.
Fausto Sabatino (third from left) and members of Local 1070, DC37, present Charmaine Johnson with a plaque to commemorate her service to the courts.
Members of the Kings County Supreme Court held a retirement party for Charmaine Johnson, who is leaving after nearly three decades working in the court. Pictured from left: Hon. Lawrence Knipel, administrative judge, Civil Term; Hon. Robin Sheares; Charmaine Johnson; Charles Small and Daniel Alessandrino.
Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese
From left: Jennifer Joly, Karime Aguilar, Tyler Byfield, Charmaine Johnson, Cyncere Richardson, Jonathan Forsythe, Ethan Brown and Erik Moore.
Charmaine’s mother Iris Gordon.
The party committee.
Hon. Robin Sheares, Betty Matondo-John and Lissette Morales.
Hon. Deborah Dowling could not attend the party so she prerecorded a brief video message for Charmaine.
From left: Charles Small, Hon. Lawrence Knipel, Hon. Robin Sheares, Daniel Alessandrino and Leah Richardson.
Daniel Alessandrino and Hon. Ruth Shillingford.
Hon. Larry Martin (left) with Charmaine Johnson and Hon. Genine Edwards (right).
John Coakley and Charmaine Johnson.
Charmaine Johnson with Shirley Paul.
Shauntina Jones (left) and Ingrid Layne.
From left: Shirley Paul, Marie Nyman, John Rodriguez, Paulina Ellis, Betty Matondo-John and Grace Machuca.
From left: Antoinette Anderson, Raymi Ramseur, Leah Richardson and Tashia McKnight.
From left: Hon. Robin Sheares, Iris Gordon, Charmaine Johnson and Hon. Bert Bunyan.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
The court interns became such a big part of Johnson’s life that when it came time for her to speak at the retirement party, she only did so after calling all of the past and current court interns up to the podium to stand with her. She said that leading that program was one of the most fulfilling things that she had done in her life.
A handful of people gave short speeches including Justice Knipel; Chief Clerks Charles Small and Daniel Alessandrino, who brought a message from Hon. Matthew D’Emic with him; and Fausto Sabatino, president of Local 1070, DC37, who also presented Johnson with a plaque.
