.CalCity Silent Seven, Business of Year named
Honored for service to community
BY BILL DEAVER
CALIFORNIA CITY - Several of this city's hardest-working citizens were honored for their contributions to the city at last week's California City Economic Development Corporation "Fifth Thursday" dinner.
CCEDC President Jim Quiggle said the winners of the annual awards have all worked to make life better for the people of California City and the region. Quiggle also presented plaques to representatives of two city businesses, the first recipients of a new "Business of the Year" award.
Silent Seven
REV. RON SPARKS, a reserve major and chaplain in the U.S. Army, received his honor for his work as pastor of the Community Congregational Church in the city, and in HIV/AIDS prevention services throughout the Antelope Valley and East Kern.
"Ron has helped a lot of people in town," Quiggle said.
BUD BURNETT, president of the California City Citizens' Advisory Committee, was honored for his efforts with the committee to work with city residents to determine priorities for use of the city's special tax, and to carefully monitor how that money has been spent. Quiggle noted that CCCAC presents a detailed report on special tax expenditures to the city council each quarter.
BOB and PAT SMITH were honored for their efforts in the city for many years. Bob, a former editor and currently contributing editor of the Mojave Desert News, served as the city's fire chief, is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and former Military Air Transport Service pilot, is president of the East Kern Healthcare District, delivers Meals on Wheels, and with wife Pat, who is also active in healthcare issues, are involved in senior citizen activities in the city.
RON WALLACE, who came to California City as a contractor, has served for many years as the city's public works director, doing, as Quiggle noted, "an outstanding job with limited resources."
LT. STEVE COLERICK of the California City Police Department, works diligently to rid the city of narcotics, and is developing a "Broken Arrow" program aimed at offering alternatives to the city's youngsters.
COL. MEL BAKER works on retired military personnel issues with Edwards Air Force Base, is active in the CCCEDC, and "helps keep us on our toes," Quiggle noted.
LOU and LINDA ALLRED, who arrived in the city in 1969, have helped promote and build the community as an electrical contractor.
Businesses of the Year
RAMON'S RESTAURANTS, one of the city's longest-serving businesses, is a "four-star" operation, Quiggle said. Founded by Ramon Lopez, the firm has restaurants in California City, Rosamond, Lancaster, Pagoda Springs, Colorado, and now is in Lopez's home state of Jalisco, Mexico. Marco Lopez accepted the award.
ACE HARDWARE, and BILL SMITH, who came to the city in 1988 as a builder and saw a need for a hardware and lumber business, recently moved the business into a new 30,000-sq,ft. building on California City Boulevard. Quiggle commended Smith and his employees for "offering personalized service to the people of the city."
The evening event was held at the restaurant at California
City Airport.
Commercial Property on Highway 14 between Mojave and California City
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