Posted by Frank Wooldridge on Feb 08, 2023 |
The Beacon The official weekly publication of The Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast Another Charter Night is upon us. Whether you are reading The Beacon before “our club’s” special ceremony and celebration or after, or if you missed the entire edition of The Beacon, you would be happy to know that special recognition at Charter Night is paid to all those members current, and those that came before us, including our lone Charter Member Dennis Scott, who got this whole Breakfast Rotary machine up and running. Forty-one years, yes, 41 of them! That’s a long time ago, before marriages, before children, before carving out our careers for some in our club, before their parents even knew each other! Can you imagine all the difference this club has made? That is certainly something to be proud of, members, so know that through your contributions, you are all a significant vital part of the Breakfast Rotary machine that will propel our club into unforeseen levels of Service Above Self. I pray to enjoy watching the next 41 years of our club’s impact on our community, but if I am not, I harbor a special honor to have contributed in just some small way to you and others in bringing joy, hope, and achievement as a member of this fine club. Celebrate your membership, and see you at Stockdale Country Club for YOUR club’s Charter Night. Past President Cheryl Scott led America’s Pledge of Allegiance, and the inspirational song “Is it the Truth” was led by Carol Smith. Our own Stephanie Baker spoke of recognizing and expressing thankfulness for our many divine blessings. Thank you, ladies, for placing our hearts, minds, and vocal cords right before President Karen Bonanno took to the podium to announce Peter Leveroni, who would introduce our special program presenter. City of Bakersfield Public Works Director Gregg Strakaluse, hailing from the east coast, has been in his post for over a year. We were pleased to have Gregg take time from his demanding schedule to meet us and discuss his public works oversight. With an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering which led to 15 years as the Director of Streets and Stormwater in Naples, Florida, he found his way to Bakersfield upon the recommendation of a fellow public work director from the County of Kern. Packing his and his family’s bags, the Strakaluse family headed west to Bakersfield for what started as a part-time assignment to conduct a waste material study in landfills. With the last name of Strakaluse, which would be most fitting on the back of an NBA jersey, I’ll ask Gregg’s permission to call him by his first name for the duration of my Beacon write-up. Gregg acquainted us, within the short time he had to present, with the city public works department's vast size and varying services they provide. Maintaining a claim as the largest city department for personnel and equipment management is an enormous undertaking. Gregg knows the mission and what needs to be accomplished to deliver services to the Bakersfield community. With 11 public service departments from Roads and Maintenance to Wastewater Management, Gregg wearing many hats is an understatement. Gregg allowed us to learn a bit about some of those departments. They even are in charge of graffiti removal, potholes, burnt-out streetlights, and illegal dumping! Let’s learn more, shall we? |
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