Giving Thanks in Lake Forest

2015 has been a busy year. I’m writing a list of my achievements and failures (due next week), and in looking over the year, it’s obvious to me that I couldn’t have achieved what I have done without the help of many people. So today, on Thanksgiving, I’d like to acknowledge their help and offer them thanks. Here they are, in no particular order.

Bob Holzclaw has stepped up to the plate on so many occasions it’s hard not to write an entire column about him. He’s the one person most responsible for the new dog park. He’s helped me with IRWD and Senator Moorlach trying to get more reclaimed water into the City. He’s accompanied me on trips to events, Traffic Group meetings, and meetings with Supervisor Bartlett. Bob provide wise guidance and he’s not afraid to do some work too.

Col. Tom Cagley has also been extremely helpful in several respects, especially in our work on getting reclaimed water. He provides good advice and is always available to help.

Stephanie Smith and her excellent staff have been very helpful in so many ways I can’t begin to list them all. This is the best functioning Department in the City and others should follow their example. Only last week they helped me Skype into a Council meeting – the first time the 21st Century intruded into our Council meetings.

Jessica Gonzales and is our Economic Development team are right behind the Clerk’s Department. They are so active it makes you wonder if they are a part of City government. Not only do they put on so many events and do it so well, they are always looking for ways to do things better. Imagine that!?

Tracey Tingley and Craig Tingley are a gift from the heavens. Their dogged determination to make the City a better place for all of us is admirable and I really appreciate the time they take from their busy lives. Tracey’s many appearances at the podium at City Council meetings has helped give courage to others to come forward and insist that we do a better job.

Leah Basile was late to the party, but she came on strongly and is helping the City be more accountable to the people. Leah’s activism is the only reason we got Saddleback Ranch Rd straightened out so quickly.

Mary Altoff probably spends more time trying to make the City a better place to live than half of our employees. She’s a vital source of information, always quick with a joke, and helps me enormously by editing more of the hundreds of articles you read.

Yombo is just about everywhere, with a quick smile and a willing hand. His video clips have been very educational for Lake Forest Town Square.

Adam Nick has been very supportive of many of the issues I championed, many of which went down in flames by a 3:2 vote. We fought to end corruption, cut government waste, make government more effective, and to involve more people in the process. Most of these efforts were squashed, but Adam has been a relentless ally is pursuing these objectives.

Ron Rivera is another one of our staff people who goes way beyond the normal bounds to help make the City and his domain a better place for all of us. Ron works hard and is always looking to make things better – a rare quality indeed.

Robert DeAlmeida is probably the only person on the Planning Commission who actually belongs there. He’s been an enormous help with his wealth of knowledge about a whole host of topics

Carlo Tomaino was the only staff member who took the time to pursue the animal control issue, and he also helps with my audio visual aids, most recently allowing me to Skype into the Council meeting so I could attend even though I was in Mexico.

“Mal” Richardson has been an enormous help keeping me out of (legal) trouble and providing sound advice. For the first time in a long time the City is neither suing nor being sued and that’s good for everyone.

Randy Johnson reminds me a lot of myself (after a bad day). He’s passionate and articulate and isn’t afraid of who he offends. He confronts the Council and staff with their short comings, appears at Council meetings and publishes his criticisms. With a dozen more like him the City would be better off.

Rose Tingle is the closest thing to a Saint among the people I know. She works hard and long to improve the conditions for animals, yet she is equally loving toward people. Rose is blessed with good ideas and isn’t afraid to storm the ramparts either. The whole County owes her thanks for years of good work.

There are dozens more people who have helped along the way – Merijoe Axelrod, Andy O’Conner, Norm Aboud, Margie Matsil, Elizabeth Smith, John Irish, Dave Glick, Jim Richert, Josh Viszay, Melissa Sims, Mary Visconte, Heinz Roehler, Barbara Kogerman, Jim Walls, and Sharon Cody - just to name a few. I also appreciate and want to thank the hundreds of people who stop me in the street or at events and express their appreciation for the work I’ve done.

Of course my wife and our family get a big “thanks” for all their support and understanding. I spend 50 to 60 hours a week on City business and it takes me away from home and sometimes away from family events. Their understanding makes it possible.

I’m so thankful to all of you for your help and support I helping make Lake Forest a better place for everyone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a Town Hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be on December 12 at 2 pm at the El Toro Public Library.

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