Open letter to Poway residents

As many of you know, on June 6, I officially retired from the Poway City Council. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to represent you and your families over the past 10 years. It has been one of my greatest honors.

Over the past decade, I served with three mayors, nine council members, and three city managers. I represented Poway on the Metropolitan Transit Board serving on the executive board and as the chair of the safety and budget committees. I also served on the San Dieguito River Park Board, where I was honored to have been the first chair to ever hike the entire 72-miles Coast to Crest Trail.

I was extremely fortunate to have worked with the best staff in the world. Each and every employee works so hard and so diligently for the City of Poway. I was also fortunate to have worked closely with our city’s firefighters, who are among the most dedicated and talented firefighting force I have ever been associated with throughout my career.

I would like to thank my friends in the community that I have been so blessed to work with on incredible projects that we championed together. The Elks, VFW, Fleet Reserve, American Legion and the Military Officers Association, along with incredible assistance and support from the city, all banded together with me to finally build one of our nation’s most honorable Veterans Parks right here in Poway.

I would also like to thank the soccer, lacrosse, football, baseball clubs, hikers, skateboarders and other groups who advocated with me for, and saw the building of, new and improved sports fields, parks, and trails throughout our city; the special needs community and their incredible hearts and souls and for helping welcome the International Special Olympics Ecuador team to Poway; the incredible volunteers and contributors who assisted our Community Services Department to create Poway’s signature “Winterfest” event, bringing snow, sledding, skating and thousands of smiles to kids and families each and every year. Finally, thanks to our faith community for their guidance and counsel during Poway’s difficult times. It will forever make me a better person for having interacted with their leaders and congregations.

That fact that I could go on and on thanking individuals and groups confirms how lucky I am for this incredible honor that the community bestowed upon me as their Councilman. For that, I am eternally grateful. My only hope is that I have left Poway a bit better than it was when I started my service in 2008. If I have accomplished that, I leave with my head up, shoulders back, and a big smile on my face.

Please help celebrate my time on council and this extraordinary community at my open house retirement party on from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 23 at the Poway Elks Lodge.

Email: editor@pomeradonews.com