The Meeting
 
Our annual gathering to honor our towns finest took place in a typically orderly fashion starting with our soon to be ex-President Len Bonilla.  He quickly call the meeting to order and introduced our dignitaries and there were many there to either get an award, give an award, celebrate the giving and getting of a reward, or get a free meal.
 
He introduced some of our own leaders in the room lead by Fire Chief Kevin Smith, and the Lady in Red, Laura Gabel.  Kevin is always great at this event and I enjoy the playful banter between himself and our Chief of Police.
 
Laura was exquisite.  We don't get a chance to see her run a meeting, unless we go to the School Board meetings.  She is the President.  She is usually part of our good nature d banter in our Rotary meetings -- just having fun with the rest of us kids.   But, she put on her business hat and ran the meeting and did a great job.  Nice going Laura.
 
So who was there.  First of all the Honorees.  The U.S. Postal Employee of the Year was Brandon Jones.  More on Brandon later.
 
The Firefighter of the Year was Kenneth Schultz.  Kevin gave him a great atta boy speech and then he got to walk through dignitary row and received thanks and certificates to put on his wall, and remember when he is old and tired, yet still proud that someone, some group, took the time to say … Thanks.
 
The Police Officer of the Year was Luke Muir.  He was there with his young wife and his boss.  Hard to believe he was a cop.  He had humility written all over him.  He was cool.
 
Teacher of the Year was introduced by our Substitute Principle.  She was a graduate of Vasser, had lots of credentialed and looked very smart.
 
 Our Mayor was  there, the Mayor pro tem, Councilman Atkinson, families of the honorees, and someone representing each of our government agencies.  They do this all the time, and know each other well.  It was a nice day.
 
My favorite part was Brandon Jones who seems to be the perfect employee.  He was so perfect that this would be his last month in the South Bay, he was being promoted and going to the Beverly Hills Branch.  He attributed his success to his dads being a great role model and coach and his dad spoke briefly on what a great son he had.  His son was going to be the best man in his upcoming wedding.  It was touching.