An Honor That Requires Comment

I WASN'T REALLY KIDDING...
Remember a couple months ago when I posted what I told you was, after more than 3,400 entries,  my final blog post?  You know, the one where I told you that retirement and health issues had required me to reconsider my lifestyle, and that it would seldom, if ever, include more posts here?  Well, today something happened that requires me to return - if only for today.  Besides, I really do miss y'all...

FOOD?  DID YOU SAY FOOD?
Today my sweet and very patient wife and I were hosted by a dozen or so employees of the City of Costa Mesa - members of the Costa Mesa Police Association, the Costa Mesa Fire Association and the Costa Mesa City Employees Association - at a lovely lunch at The Newport Rib Company -  one of our favorite restaurants in town.  Thanks to John Ursini and the staff for a very special event.  As an aside, the photo below was BEFORE the BBQ was served and, yes, those men in white shirts managed to keep the sauce off their clothes.

CAUGHT ME OFFGUARD...
The purpose of this lunch was for them to say thank you to me for my support over all these years and, I must tell you, that was very strange, because it really should have been ME saying thanks, again, to them.

A HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE!
I was overwhelmed by this wonderful event.  It is truly one of the highlights of my life!  I will be forever grateful to those who attended this lunch today, and to those they were representing.  It's hard to see the screen on my computer right now - there's some mist on my eyes - just as there was when this beautiful plaque was presented to me today.

 I'M AN ADMIRER
As most of you know who have been reading this blog over the past dozen years, I am a great admirer of the Costa Mesa employees - those folks who have had to endure so much for the past more than a decade - every since Jim Righeimer dragged his carpetbagging rear-end across the border from Fountain Valley and began to systematically destroy one of the finest city government organizations in the county.  I wrote about him HERE. Together we've watched the decimation of complete organizations, we've seen the impact of the toxic workplace created by the Righeimer-led majority, with senior, experienced employees leaving much earlier than they anticipated.  But, we've seen those employees who endured become stronger and more resilient and even more dedicated to our city.  For that I, for one, will be eternally grateful.

BETTER, BUT A WAYS TO GO...
Things are better now, but far from perfect.

• We have a Police Department with a staffing level that is at least 20% below the numbers necessary to properly provide law enforcement coverage of our city, particularly with the impact of sober living homes and the homeless folks wandering our streets.   Chief Rob Sharpnack has said repeatedly in the recent past that it will take at least until the end of 2018 to be fully staffed - and he based that on the current authorized number, not the number we actually need.   Although we're doing a good job of recruiting and capturing the cream of the crop, we can't hire faster and couldn't train them if we had them.  
• Under the guidance of Chief Dan Stefano we have a Fire Department that, while permitted to finally hire sufficient staff to man our stations and equipment, still suffers from the lack of a new contract for five years and no pay increases for a decade.  This is unconscionable!  
• The CMCEA group finally has a new contract, so there's a chance to get staffed-up in critical areas like Planning and Engineering and related areas and cease relying on contract employees.  And, the anti-employee bias on the dais has been muted since the last election.  We certainly hope that continues in the next one in 2018, but the whole "district-voting with directly-elected mayor" scheme that Righeimer imposed on us makes that problematic and will require very significant citizen attention and participation.                                                                                                     

THANKS TO ALL
So, today, I want to fully express my gratitude to Detective David Sevilla and all the others  responsible for this wonderful recognition, and to encourage the employees of this fine city to continue to work hard and keep the faith that things will continue to improve.  Many of you have become my friends over these many years - something for which I'm very grateful.  You have solid leaders in place in most areas that should be getting much more support - and less micromanaging - from the elected leaders.

GRATEFULLY
Until next time... Thanks... that hardly seems enough, so...

A Very Proud Costa Mesa Event

REMARKABLE PINNING CEREMONY FRIDAY
The Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department held a pinning ceremony Friday, May 5th in City Council Chambers at 10:00 a.m. and it was a truly wonderful event!

SIX PROMOTIONS, ONE PROBATION COMPLETION AND 13 NEW FIREFIGHTERS
Chief Dan Stefano, aided by Division Chief Jason Pyle and Battalion Chiefs Kevin Diamond, Bill Kershaw and Tim Vasin, made the presentations.  Captain Chris Coates guided the special presentation to the thirteen (13) new firefighters who were introduced to the audience with one day left on their training schedule.  By the time you read this they will be folded into the deployment schedule and will be out there saving our lives.

WITH GREAT PRIDE...
So, without many more words, here are my visual memories of that wonderful day - one EVERY single Costa Mesan should view with great pride.

13 rookies chillin' before the ceremony

Retired Deputy Chief Fred Seguin Arrives For The Ceremony

Honor Guard

 Chief Dan Stefano

Division Chief Jason Pyle

 Chaplain Mike Decker presented the invocation

 Mayor Katrina Foley Addresses the Crowd

 The crowd

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Video Presentation

 Captain Chris Coates Addresses The Cadre of Trainers

The Cadre 

The Rookies and Cadre

Chief Stefano Presents Firefighter Corey Brean

Firefighter Corey Brean Pinned By His Mother

Chief Pyle Presents Engineer Dan Bangle

Engineer Bangle Pinned By His Wife

Chief Pile Presents Engineer Kevin Reddy 

 Engineer Reddy Pinned By His Wife

Chief Pyle Presents Engineer Travis Johnson (absent)

Chief Diamond Presents Captain Justin Horner

 Captain Horner Is Pinned By His Wife

Chief Kershaw Presents Captain Gary Lilly

Captain Lilly Is Pinned By His Daughter

Chief Vasin Presented Captain Chuck Torres

Captain Torres Is Pinned By His Wife With Children Attending

City Clerk Brenda Green Swears-in All Members

PHOTOS, FOOD AND FESTIVITIES

Following the ceremonies photos were taken in council chambers and the crowd and participants adjourned to the porch where refreshments and camaraderie awaited.  Here are a few images of those few minutes.

The Mayor And Chiefs With New Captains And Engineers

Rookies chillin' after the ceremony

Former Interim Chief Tom Arnold Schmoozing (above and below)

A VERY INSPIRING EVENT

I must say that this was one of the most inspiring events I've attended in our city.  To see brave men moving forward in their careers, and more than a dozen rookies ready to put their lives on the line for us as they begin their careers was very moving.  At least a couple of the men receiving recognition Friday were second-generation firefighters, carrying on a family tradition.

 LIFE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

As each person being promoted was presented their life story was explained.  We learned how long and hard they had worked to achieve this step in their career, and learned much more about the public service orientation it takes to fill these roles.  We learned they all focused on their target and, despite some very formidable obstacles, just kept on plugging away.  Each story had a wonderful life lesson for us all.  And, oh, yes... Captain Chuck Torres has a smile that could light up the City!

KUDOS AND THANKS

Thanks to Chief Dan Stefano and his remarkable team for presenting this terrific community event.  I'm grateful to be able to share it with you.