Today, we introduce a few of the nominees who have already made New York a better place through their selfless actions and unflagging dedication.

Michael Martinez, his wife and three children were strolling home after the lights fizzled 10 days ago and he heard the helpless honking at a gridlocked Queens intersection. There was no doubt about his next step - he just went out and directed traffic.

"I figured I was lucky enough to have my kids with me and other people were trying to get home to their own kids to make sure they were safe," said Martinez, 30.

So he stood smack in the middle of Metropolitan Avenue and Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood and waved traffic along from 4:30 p.m. to nearly 7 p.m. until two auxiliary cops arrived and took over.

Martinez, a foreman in the maintenance department of a Manhattan accounting firm, had taken that day off to celebrate his son Michael's 11th birthday.

After Martinez began directing traffic, his two sons and daughter spent much of the afternoon proudly watching from a bench outside a florist's.

"One person said, 'You're a saint.' Others said, 'You're the man' and 'God bless you,' " said Martinez, adding that one driver wouldn't move on and held up traffic until he accepted $20.

"He kept them safe," said Elizabeth Martinez, who nominated her husband for a Liberty Community Medal. On his way home, Martinez was able to buy his son a birthday cake. He also found a candle and the family gathered to celebrate.

"As soon as we started singing, everyone sitting outside on the whole block kicked in and sang 'Happy Birthday,' " Martinez said. "My son said it was his best birthday ever."