ANOTHER Great Day!

SPECIAL EVENT TODAY
This morning, beginning at 11:00 a.m., the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, The Orange County MarketPlace and the Orange County Fair and Event Center hosted the Public Safety Recognition BBQ event at the Fairgrounds.

SAYING THANKS...
This annual event is one small way for the community to say "Thank You" to those men and women who provide Fire, Police and 911 Communication service to our community.  I was honored to attend, and to have the chance to tell those folks how grateful I am for their contributions.  It was a nearly perfect event... more on that blemish later.

OCC CHEER SQUAD
There was food, entertainment, enthusiastic cheerleading by the Orange Coast College Cheer Squad - there were young bodies flying everywhere! - raffles and just the right number of short speeches.

PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFERS
Many firefighters, police officers and 911 staffers attended, both on duty and off.

BEAUTY
Miss American Beauty, 2014 attended and certainly did brighten up the place.

FAWCETT'S LAST HURRAH

Chamber of Commerce President Ed Fawcett made a brief, moving speech at what will be his final such event.  He's leaving the job before the next one.

ONLY LEECE SHOWED
The current City Council was represented only by Wendy Leece, shown here being greated by Officer Kha Bao, our most decorated DUI enforcer.  I guess I'm not surprised that none of the men from the City Council failed to show up.  Mayor Righeimer and Mayor Pro Tem Mensinger certainly may have felt a little uneasy in the presence of the men and women they are suing.  And, of course, Gary Monahan was pulling beer taps.

THE WADDLING BLEMISH
Time to mention that only blemish - in the person of Planning Commission Chairman and Riganista sycophant, Jim Fitzpatrick.  He came waddling in well after the event began, snatched a plate of food, then bent the ear of the lovely representative from Southern California Edison for fifteen minutes before seating himself with fellow Riganista, Mesa Water District President Jim Fisler - shown below apparently playing a game with Police Captain Rob Sharpnack.  Please remind me of this image the next time he refers to me as "Potbelly"... :-)

FORMER (AND FUTURE) ELECTED LEADERS
Candidates for City Council Katrina Foley and Jay Humphrey attended and made it a point to mingle and thank the public safety folks for their service.  Former mayor Mary Hornbuckle - presently the President of the Coast Community College District Board - attended.  This image of her speaking with Humphrey certainly did make me long for the good old days, when the adults were in charge of the City, and the priorities were what was best for the city, not developer buddies.

HATCHLESS
City CEO Tom Hatch was not present, but his Assistant, Rick Francis, attended.

TWO CHIEFS
Fire Chief Dan Stefano and Police Chief Tom Gazsi both attended and helped participate in the short recognition of the VanEs and DeFluiter families for the recent difficulties their families have faced.  Special recognition will be provided to them.

GREAT EVENT, GREAT PEOPLE
This was another terrific event, at which the strong ties among those who provide us with public safety services were evident.  Thanks to all those who participated today to make this such an outstanding event, and a very special thank you to the men and women who work hard every day of the year to keep our community safe.  I had a chance to chat with many long-service staffers and some of the new folks, as well.  We are very lucky to have such a wonderful cadre of public safety professionals working on our behalf.  Too bad the elected leadership can't seem to recognize it.