A Decade of Service

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a festive business mixer and dinner party on the evening of Thursday, March 8. The occasion? The Chamber is celebrating the organization’s 10th anniversary with a series of events, and this dinner was their inaugural evening – the Chamber’s 10th Annual Salute to Local Heroes, honoring nine first responders who delivered standout performances in their public safety duties over the past year.

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a festive business mixer and dinner party on the evening of Thursday, March 8. The occasion? The Chamber is celebrating the organization’s 10th anniversary with a series of events, and this dinner was their inaugural evening – the Chamber’s 10th Annual Salute to Local Heroes, honoring nine first responders who delivered standout performances in their public safety duties over the past year.

Mary England, president and CEO of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, said the opportunity to thank local service men and women was a special one. 

“We are not only proud to be here acknowledging our local heroes on behalf of the community,” she said. “You make our community strong and help La Mesa keep its reputation as the Jewel of the Hills.”

Held in the Town and Country Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, themed “One Jewel of a Night,” the evening program commenced with a reception, during which attendees had opportunities to purchase raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items. In an interview during the reception, La Mesa Chief of Police Walt Vasquez said that he was there to assist in saluting two of his department’s police officers and two volunteers from the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. 

“It’s extremely kind of the Chamber to honor our officers,” Vasquez said. “We all look forward to this every year. And we love to thank the Chamber for what they do to serve La Mesa.”

First-time event sponsor Margaret Clemens agreed, “This is a wonderful event. I’m a disabled military veteran myself, and I am happy to help recognize and support the people chosen for honors tonight.” 

She heads Clemens Real Estate Group and joined the Chamber three years ago. Clemens served the Navy for six years as an aviation electrician.

Sponsors include businesses and business persons from the La Mesa area.

The awards for local heroes started with American Medical Response Paramedic Ben Schafer and EMT Alex England, in recognition of their quick thinking, astute assessment of the situation, and excellent life-saving skills when responding to a 911 call at the Avocado Boulevard 7-Eleven. A 35-year-old female stabbing victim was in cardiac arrest from multiple knife wounds when these first responders from AMR arrived on the scene. The two were acknowledged for being outstanding among their peers, as demonstrated by their effective actions in saving in the woman’s life. She survived and has fully recovered.

Fire Chief Colin Stowell of Heartland Fire & Rescue presented awards to “three distinguished honorees” who show that local heroes in La Mesa come in all different shapes and sizes – and species. Fire Captain Matthew Kirk and his search dog, Stella, joined Chief Stowell on stage to receive their recognition. Although accomplished in his own right for service to La Mesa since 2006, Kirk lists among his proudest professional achievements his work in disaster response as a search and rescue dog handler. Together with Stella, Kirk responded in 2017 to assist in recovery after Hurricane Irma struck Florida, and more recently to the Montecito mudslides. During his time with La Mesa, Kirk earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, becoming fluent in the language, and he now uses this added skill in serving. Stella is in recovery from cancer, and she is scheduled to retire with honors and live in the Kirk household. 

Deputy Fire Chief Greg McAlpine was also honored among Stowell’s crew. Stowell stated that McAlpine is “recognized as a figure in the city,” and that he “quickly embraced the City of La Mesa” after starting his career in the Fire Department in 1982 at a beginning pay of $5.62 per hour. McAlpine was promoted over the years and became involved in character training within the department. Stowell praised McAlpine for his “calm demeanor” and for being “truly instrumental” in department leadership. McAlpine is also retiring, with over 35 year of dedicated service.

La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez acknowledged his department’s four honorees, as well as those involved in putting the evening together. 

“We thank Mary and the La Mesa Chamber,” Vasquez said. “This means a lot to us. Tonight we honor four who protect and serve La Mesa night and day out. All of these honorees tonight are phenomenal. We are all working together to keep our community safe.”

Officer Carlos Gaytan and Master Officer Eric Knudson were awarded for their dedication to the service. 

Gayton, Vasquesz said, is “a young officer but incredibly bright.” 

Gaytan works in the area of auto theft, and he was notable this past year for rapid recovery of a stolen vehicle. In late July, a 57-year-old man was having breakfast at the Denny’s Restaurant on Alvarado Road and soon thereafter reported that his vehicle had been taken. That was his only transportation. Vasquez described Gaytan’s “knowledge and dedication” in realizing that the vehicle was equipped with On-Star tracking, and then coordinating with the On-Star service to locate and disable the vehicle in East County. Sherriff’s Department officers engaged in foot pursuit of the suspect, leading to his arrest. The auto theft victim was contacted immediately to reclaim his vehicle. In 2017 alone, Gaytan recovered an estimated $78,000 in stolen vehicles. Over his four years working in auto theft recovery, Gaytan was been responsible for recovering around 95 stolen vehicles, valued at more than $300,000. 

“We are blessed to have him,” Vasquez said.

Knudson has been with the La Mesa Police Department for ten years, serving as a role model and mentor in peer support. Vasquez said that he has often heard Knudson spoken of as “the nicest guy ever met.” 

“That really fits him,” said Vasquez. Knudson participates in the wellness program, and Vasquez said he “will reach out to anyone.”

The final two recipients of recognition of the night were from the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP). 

“We want the RSVP to know how much we care and appreciate what they do,” Vasquez said. The La Mesa RSVP honorees were Mike Boatright, who joined as recently as 2017 and has already distinguished himself for service, and longtime RSVP member Chuck Jackson, who began his volunteer stint in 2007. Boatright was honored for his dedication, work ethic and commitment in smoothing RSVP operations with administrative support, including scheduling and data collection. Jackson was honored for “outstanding and valued” service that began as a decorated Army veteran. Along with RSVP duties, including supervisory duties, Jackson volunteers at special events throughout each year and assists at DUI checkpoints.

La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis performed installation of the Chamber’s new officers for the 2018 year. In recognition and celebration of the Chamber’s 10th anniversary, a proclamation form County Supervisor Dianne Jacob was read, observing how the Chamber has “engaged the community” in going far beyond business support and further serving local seniors, military and veterans, families and children. Thursday, March 8, was declared La Mesa Chamber of Commerce Day throughout San Diego County.

The evening’s festivities concluded with tributes to Mary England, who started the La Mesa Chamber from scratch a decade ago. The La Mesa Chamber, under England’s leadership, offers more free events than any other local chamber of commerce.

 “I’m moved,” said England, who had not been expecting the tribute. “What a surprise. I cried.”

More information about the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, and especially about upcoming events during this 10th anniversary year, can be found at www.lamesachamber.com.