Proclamations Honor Parks and Recreation Volunteers, Retiring City Manager

Proclamations were plentiful at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting. In honor of July being Parks and Recreation month, volunteers for the department were recognized for their service.

Cameron Clay is a 15-year-old sophomore at San Dieguito Academy who volunteered on such projects as the Family Enrichment Program, the Encinitas Holiday Parade, and the Pet Health Expo. 

Bill Thompson has been a volunteer driver for the Out and About transportation program since June 2007. He currently has 12 passengers, and last month drove a total of 618 miles.

Senior Center Director Kristie Goodsell read quotes from Thompson’s passengers. Elainor DeMore said, “I am the only passenger who can talk sports with him, and we also have very interesting and challenging discussions about current events.”

The crowd in the council chambers were moved when the quote went on to read, “He is a very smart guy and very dependable. I am legally blind and he is my eyes to the world.”

After receiving his proclamation, Thompson had one request for the council: “With your power, please bring down the price of gas.”

Gabby Beax, Beverly Prange and Alejandra Estrada were honored for their work with the Migrant Education program. 

After the proclamations were issued, Deputy Mayor Jerome Stocks, acting on behalf of absent Mayor James Bond, gave a surprise proclamation to retiring City Manger Phil Cotton. Stocks read a brief biography about Cotton from the proclamation.

Cotton became city manager in 2006, and prior to that was in the Parks and Recreation Department, where he eventually became director. He went to become director of Public Works, the superintendent of the water district, and then finally city manager.  

One of the quotes Stocks read from the proclamation said that during his time as city manager, Cotton “was very involved in many successful projects such as the development of the , , the public works facility and the community and senior facility.”

The proclamation also highlighted Cotton’s support for local police and firefighters, and his “strong financial leadership” during the current economic crisis.

Taking the mike, Cotton thanked the current and past city councils, and the citizens of Encinitas, which he pointed out has only been an incorporated city for 25 years.

“A lot of great things have happened in the city because of you, and I encourage you to march in the next 25 years.”