Welcome to another issue of Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club's weekly newsletter, The Beacon.
Our scribe for today's beacon was Michelle Zdybowics. Thanks Michelle for putting the following content together for us!
Greeters: Kay Pitts, Ron Nelms
Invocation: Heath Niemeyer (Absent) Denise filled in for Heath
Flag: Sandra Parnell
Song: Carol Smith - God Bless America
Visiting Rotarians: Introduced by: MJ Pasek
Family of Rotary (and birthdays, anniversaries)
Susan & John Guerard, anniversary
Sally Selby’s birthday
Happy Spots
Scottie Tangerang: Retiring from 42 years practice as Dentist. $42 happy.
Karen Bonanno: Her daughter is opening a cabaret style theater in town, it’s a nonprofit, not ready yet so what’s going to be the Arts Council of Kern. Fundraising for their building, to be held with a theme “Sound of Music” at 1020 18th St on Oct 11th, 7-9pm. $50 happy.
Cheryl Scott: Went to Europe with her family, visited France, Germany, and Austria. $30 happy. A gift bag for the President.
Denise Haynes: She visited Ventura and brought back olive oil, wine, and a photo frame of Ventura’s beautiful sunset. She was also delighted to recall her granddaughter, who enjoys wearing a small butterfly pin just like her grandmother’s Rotary pins. $20 happy ($10 + $10)
John Guerard: The couple returned from Europe, visited Switzerland, France, and Germany; brought a Swiss chocolate tea for the President.
Recognitions
New member, Denise Cox, sponsored by Kay Pitts was inducted into the club today.
Temo Lopez, Club Membership Director, recited the Rotary Spirit and Four-Way Test, then presented Denise with the new member packet, red badge, and first Rotary pin. Denise also shared a brief thank you, and Jackie Maxwell, Club President welcomed Denise with a Rotary scarf.
Fines
President Jackie asked if anyone remembers the song that was playing this morning before the meeting started? Cheryl said “Bruno Mars”. With that, Jackie made her fine free for four weeks.
Club Service/Socials
Rotary pins campaign ongoing initiated by Mindy Wilmot, Peace Chair. Wear Rotary pins everywhere you go. Stephanie distributed the 2025 Rotary International Convention Calgary pins to members who were not wearing a pin today.
2026 Memorial Day Thousand Flags event: Tom is receiving more volunteers to fill up coordinating roles for this important event. As our only club fundraising activity, we need 100% member participation to make it work. Flyers for fundraising will be ready in a week.
Community Service
Orlie’s Shoe Drive: The club president called for volunteers who will help unpacking shoes on Sep 13th Saturday, 8am-10:30am.
Mary Jo shared the inspiring story of how Rotary's Reese's Across America project began in our local cemetery in 2008, dedicated to Kern County veterans. Motivated by seeing similar efforts at the Washington, D.C. cemetery, she initiated the project, starting with just 57 wreaths on 500 acres provided by Tejon Ranch. Over 11 years, the project grew significantly, raising over $500,000 to honor veterans, with donations coming from many families and community members. The project involved coordinating wreath deliveries, setting up at the cemetery, and managing logistics, including working with Walmart and local businesses. The cost of wreaths increased over time, but the effort remained meaningful. Mary Jo expressed pride in having helped create such a lasting tribute, now carried on by others, and highlighted the ongoing importance of remembering our veterans each December.
Community Announcements
By Jennifer Henry:
Club social on Sep 11th – received 35 RSVPs.
In October, we have Jackie’s house for social and baby shower with Sydney’s.
In October, November, we have bunkers at Denise’s house for social.
In December, somebody needs to volunteer their home for our Christmas party.
Program Notes
Today’s Speaker: Darin Budak (Recreation & Parks Director), Billy Owens (Park Ranger Manager)
Experience and Passion: Darin Budak shared his extensive background in code enforcement, moonlighting as a county ranger for 22 years, and volunteering as a Level 1 reserve with the police department, emphasizing his passion for park and community work.
Park Ranger Program Development:
Created to address park vandalism, minimize police calls, and enhance visitor experience.
Last year, dispatch calls to park ranger division totaled 776; hotline calls were 1,314.
Implemented NDC computer program to track patrol presence, with Rangers in parks over 25,000 times last year.
Overall calls for service in parks last year: 814; vandalism damages reduced from over $130,000 to $35,000 year-over-year due to increased ranger presence.
Community Engagement Initiatives:
Developed volunteer programs like the Kurt River Bike Patrol, sanctioned by the National Ski Patrol, for public assistance and reporting issues.
Secured four E-bikes through the Air Pollution Control District’s alternative fuel program to facilitate ranger patrols, especially on bike paths.
Funding and Improvements:
The park ranger program was initially funded with PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) funds, which were crucial for park improvements.
Recent upgrades include park repaving, improved bike lane access, lighting, controlled park closing, and guardrail installations to prevent unauthorized riverbed access.
Only 18 full-time Rangers cover 7 parks, working 21 hours daily.
San Miguel Park Enhancements:
Major renovations included repaving, restroom updates, improved bike access, park lighting, and securing the riverbed area with guardrails to prevent unauthorized vehicle access.
Ongoing efforts include park cleanups, tree planting, and volunteer engagement, aiming to restore and maintain the park.
Enforcement and Compliance:
Working towards enabling Rangers to issue citations for violations like unleashed dogs, with recent city council approval of a citation program that includes administrative fines.
Addressing issues with illegal motorized activity on bike paths and enforcing regulations, with plans to increase patrols and enforcement.
Community Contributions and Acknowledgments:
Recognized the department’s collaboration with community groups, volunteer organizations, and city departments.
Highlighted the department’s role in maintaining city-wide street landscaping and ongoing park development projects.
Acknowledged efforts to improve public safety, park conditions, and community involvement, particularly in San Miguel Park.
Other Topics:
Emphasized importance of swimming education; the department runs a large, low-cost swim program for youth.
Upcoming projects include cleanups, tree plantings, and development of permanent pathways at local parks.
Today’s 50/50 drawing: $62. Troy Fringer
Please joing us next week when President Jackie Maxwell will review the "State of Our Club" and everything going on and what to look forward to throughout the year.
Temo Lopez, Club Membership Director, recited the Rotary Spirit and Four-Way Test, then presented Denise with the new member packet, red badge, and first Rotary pin. Denise also shared a brief thank you, and Jackie Maxwell, Club President welcomed Denise with a Rotary scarf. 
Rotary pins campaign ongoing initiated by Mindy Wilmot, Peace Chair. Wear Rotary pins everywhere you go. Stephanie distributed the 2025 Rotary International Convention Calgary pins to members who were not wearing a pin today.
Mary Jo shared the inspiring story of how Rotary's Reese's Across America project began in our local cemetery in 2008, dedicated to Kern County veterans. Motivated by seeing similar efforts at the Washington, D.C. cemetery, she initiated the project, starting with just 57 wreaths on 500 acres provided by Tejon Ranch. Over 11 years, the project grew significantly, raising over $500,000 to honor veterans, with donations coming from many families and community members. The project involved coordinating wreath deliveries, setting up at the cemetery, and managing logistics, including working with Walmart and local businesses. The cost of wreaths increased over time, but the effort remained meaningful. Mary Jo expressed pride in having helped create such a lasting tribute, now carried on by others, and highlighted the ongoing importance of remembering our veterans each December.
code enforcement, moonlighting as a county ranger for 22 years, and volunteering as a Level 1 reserve with the police department, emphasizing his passion for park and community work.
Shutoff) funds, which were crucial for park improvements.