Story and Photos by Bruce Montgomery–
There were many presentations made during the Desert Hot Springs City Council Meeting on Tuesday evening, June 4, 2013.
First certificates of recognition were presented by Mayor Yvonne Parks to winners of the “Ballroom Dance Competition” from Bubbling Wells Elementary School.
Second Mayor Parks presented certificates of recognition to the PSUSD 2013 “DigiCom Film Festival” award winners from Desert Hot Springs. (The most colorful person present was no doubt one of their teachers with her tattoos and bright green hair!)
Next there were presentations by representatives of the DHS High School “Renewable Energy Academy of Learning – Sustainability Element” (REAL Academy for short), and teachers Bob Leo and Brian Martin also addressed the council. Those chosen to speak each chose a different area and had excellent powerpoint slides to accompany their talks.
Following them was Regional Access Project Foundation president and CEO Judith Cox, who explained the services and funding that are available to non-profits in the valley.
(From personal experience I cannot speak too highly of them. They have provided invaluable training and guidance and support in the formative stages of our non-profit Literacy, Language and Cultural Centers, Inc.)
The next two recognized some of outstanding police officers. Officer Larry Gaines received the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (“MADD”) California hero award, presented by police chief Kate Singer. Then several officers received stolen vehicle recovery awards from the California Highway Patrol.
An annual report from the Family Service Association was given by local Senior Center manager Erin Bressler (formerly Begley – congratulations on her recent marriage to DHSPD Commander Dan Bressler) and Shannon Gonzales. They also recognized volunteer Trudi Lane for her work at the local senior center.
Finally councilman Adam Sanchez gave community volunteer service awards to a number of very deserving people: Consuelo Gonzalez, Jack Meyers, Jesus Marquez, Dean Gray, Michael Burke and Jerrol Pope.
During public comments George Fisher and Bill Cook presented a check for $850 to ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Carl Lewke. The funds were received from auctioning seats in the flyover at Memorial Day, and will be used for scholarships at the local high school.
All photos of this event by Bruce Montgomery; just click!
