It was such a pleasure to go the El Cajon Citizen of the Year luncheon on Monday. In looking at the nominees it is amazing all of the wonderful people in El Cajon that contribute so much to this community. And after reading and hearing about this year’s recipient Operating Principal and Broker/Owner of Keller Williams Realty Joe Garzanelli and the work that he has done for El Cajon and East County over the past 40 years, there is no doubt that he deserves this recognition.
It was such a pleasure to go the El Cajon Citizen of the Year luncheon on Monday. In looking at the nominees it is amazing all of the wonderful people in El Cajon that contribute so much to this community. And after reading and hearing about this year’s recipient Operating Principal and Broker/Owner of Keller Williams Realty Joe Garzanelli and the work that he has done for El Cajon and East County over the past 40 years, there is no doubt that he deserves this recognition. The City of El Cajon, El Cajon Lions and El Cajon Rotary did a phenomenal job at the luncheon and the camaraderie between them all was highly evident in this partnership in celebrating and recognizing those who go above and beyond in serving the local community. That’s about all I’m going to say right now. You’ll be able to read about it next week in more detail. Believing that this deserved more than a stand-alone photo in this week’s edition, I think it is worth the wait so that I can give this story the justice and prominence that it deserves.
Gillespie Field
In other news the plane crash in Santee near Gillespie Field is another tragic incident with the small airport being so close to residential neighborhoods. I understand the concerns that people that live in that area have, but it seems that the latest incidents have been with experienced pilots and not those that are being trained at Gillespie. Even though this is still a great concern for the residents surrounding the area it is important that it is realized that these incidents are from experienced pilots.
The contention of Gillespie training foreign inexperienced pilots has been going on for years, and the groups that advocate the stopping of the expansion of the airport need not add these to their lists of incidents that they use to try and get local residents together trying to stop the future of the aerotropolis. It is coming whether you like it or not and if you cannot deal with it, you just need to move. Having worked with aviation in the Navy and living within a block of a flight-training field, it is the price you pay for choosing to live near any airport, regardless of size. Even though I have reservatio
s of some of the countries that we take in inexperienced pilots in for training, the future of Gillespie Field is important to the East County areas development in more ways than not. Economically, it is a great plan for East County and should be allowed to continue with its future plans. I still believe in proper vetting of pilots and open public meeting in the future of Gillespie Field, but I support the expansion whole-heartedly.
Best of East County 2017
You’ll hear more from me next week, but I am overwhelmed at the response this year for the people and organizations that are represented at our Best of East County 2017 Reader’s Poll Party at the El Cajon Elks Lodge. Once again, East County as a whole is pulling together to help us make this a grand celebration and I am more than thrilled to see what event brings. There are not many events that bring so many people from all parts of East County together with such diversity, and for that reason alone I am grateful that this publication is part of the entire community. We’ll have all the details for you in next week’s edition, but most important, whether you attend or not, pick up this week’s edition and see how East County has voted on their favorites in the many categories that are being awarded. You’ll have an instant guide to some great services, people, organizations and businesses at your fingertips that you might want to get involved with, shop, dine and experience the best that East County has to offer.
