Debbie's Retirement

On July 12th, 2012, Debbie Garvin worked her last day in the office as the General Manager/Secretary of the Barstow Heights Community Services District. Board President, Dick Jacobs, had planned a special "surprise" retirement luncheon for her that only the Board members, Debbie's husband Tim, daughter Katy, and myself knew about and attended. Even though Debbie warned us that she "hates" surprises, the Board really wanted the opportunity to recognize her and thank her for her 17 years of dedicated service to the district. As the new General Manager/Secretary that was hired to take her place, I can also tell you that it has been an honor to spend the past month working in the office with Debbie as she has been training me to do the job. I know that I have tough shoes to fill, but I am grateful to Debbie for making this transition so easy for me and for being a friend that I can admire so much and want to be like.

The Board of Directors presented Debbie with this beautifully
engraved desk organizer for her to enjoy using at home:

 We know we will still get to see you occasionally,

but you sure will be missed here at the office!
Enjoy your retirement Debbie!!
 

Panamint Park renamed Venner Park

This information was published on the front page of
the Desert Dispatch on Wednesday, May 30th, 2012:

BARSTOW • Barstow Heights officials renamed Panamint Park in honor of local resident William Venner over the weekend.

Venner died in March 2011. He once worked part-time for the Barstow Heights Community Services District and also worked as a teacher and administrator at various Barstow schools.

Even when he was not employed by the agency, Venner was dedicated to helping clean up the park, which he lived across the street from, Board President Dick Jacobs said.

“He always tried to get the graffiti off the day after it happened,” Jacobs said.

The board had been thinking of ways to honor Venner since his death, Jacobs said, and someone proposed renaming the park.

The agency installed a plaque indicating the park’s new name.

The community services district maintains two parks in the Barstow Heights neighborhood through a contract with the city of Barstow.

On Monday, May 28th (memorial day) at 10am, the Barstow Heights CSD Board of Directors held a rededication ceremony at the park located at Panamint and K street in Barstow Heights. There was a barbecue celebration provided for the public afterwards.