Council Corner: Our Community Heroes

There are heroes amongst us who come in many sizes, shapes and ages but ALL of them live in Foster City and we should be proud we have produced them!!! Let me name a few of mine………

First we have four well-deserving folks that were inducted into the Sports Wall of Fame located at Sea Cloud Park. I had the pleasure of serving on the AYSO Board of Directors with Ginny Spaulding Hall for many years but in addition to the Board position she was instrumental in getting girls softball started and many more contributions. George Nunez who was described as someone who was more gratified by the life lessons he taught his soccer and little league teams than how many games they won. What a gift he gave the many children whose lives he touched. Coaches that value the child and not just how they play a game is a valuable human being in my book. Robert Peagler was not only instrumental to organizing sports programs but in bringing diversity to the forefront as Foster City became incorporated. Through his unending efforts in managing little league and starting football leagues, he also found time to counsel kids and be a court advocate. At 80 years old he is still as feisty as he was 40 years ago. Finally Denise Roux who was a founding member of Foster City Youth Softball Association in 2007 while coaching as well. Denise was known for her excellent sportsmanship while providing a fun and positive environment for her players. She has been an excellent role model. CONGRATULATIONS to all four deserving inductees.

Final numbers are in for the first ever Relay For Life in Foster City. The hope was for $20,000 but the generous residents and friends raised almost $48,000. Thanks to the Lions Club, the PJCC, the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Foster City for their efforts. In particular to our hero Claudette Main who raised the most funds in the individual category. I can’t wait until next year.

Another hero is the Queen of the Bocce Courts, Mary Anne Burgett who celebrated her 90th birthday on the courts on Saturday with her fans!!! Balloons, cupcakes and many good wishes to Mary Anne!! Be sure to have a seat on her bench next to the courts dedicated in her honor.

Our American heroes will be honored at our “in progress” Veterans Honor Wall to be located at Leo Ryan Park. The brochures are now available with information on how to donate and how to honor your own hero. We already have about 30 names so let me know if you would like a brochure sent to you. Otherwise, they are available at the Recreation Center.

The parents at all three elementary schools and Bowditch Middle School are heroes as well………Superintendent Cyndy Simms reports that after the school district requested donations to offset the cost of the crossing guards funded by the City of Foster City that almost $7,000 has been raised. That shows what team work can accomplish and we thank all of you for your efforts.

Finally, if you want to make “my” hero list you can decide to give public service a try. I may have been a bit premature when I wrote an article declaring I wanted a woman to run for the seat I will be vacating next year. I should have clarified that statement…….I would like a person that has common sense, a giving heart, be an advocate for residents of Foster City and have a passion and guts to speak up in your behalf……that person can be male or female. You have to be an advocate for the residents of this City because the residents elect you and you are responsible for their well-being.

Karen Chee, a member of our Youth Advisory Committee brought an organization to our attention called “Day of the Girl”, which along with the United Nations is promoting October 11, 2012, to be a day of recognition and promotion for women all around the world. Karen is aware of the gender discrimination but feels lucky to have grown up in Foster City where it isn’t apparent to her. Karen is my youngest hero and we presented her a Mayoral Proclamation at our council meeting. There is a young girl who will grow up to be an advocate for not only women but justice for all.

Don’t forget Saturday, October 6th is Open House at the Fire and Police Departments……..so many more heroes that provide essential public safety services to our community.

My last "group" heroes are the Foster City Little League All Star Coaches of the 2012 District 52 Champions: Steve Sutter, Rob Winters and Scott Jacobs. This experience will leave a lasting impression on these boys and their families. We are so proud of all of your efforts and dedication. I hope these moms and dads will consider "paying it forward" one day as some of us did 30 years ago. I sat where you sat Monday night, as a parent and coach and I'm hoping when your children get a little older you may consider the path of public service. I did just that as a way to say thank you to the City that gave me so much and was my extended family (and still is) after all these years. We paid it forward 30 years ago when we advocated to build Sea Cloud Park and for many of us we still smile with satisfaction when we drive into the park. As the president of the "Friends of Sea Cloud Park" I still remember the blueprints on my dining room table of how to lay out the soccer and baseball fields and the passion we had as we moved that project to completion.

If you have any comments or want to share with me who your heroes are, I’m at pfrisella@fostercity.org.