CITIZEN of the YEAR
EVERY YEAR AT THE 4TH OF JULY PICNIC,
The Town Council presents the Citizen of the Year award to the local resident(s) who has most significantly contributed to the quality of life in the community.
Following is a brief summary of the past honorees for the last 10 years, written at the time they were
honored. We would need several websites to detail all of the contributions and time these people have
given to the community. It is not surprising that most of these people have continued to contribute
since being recognized and no doubt will continue to do so. (The rest of them got too tired and moved away...)
In 2011
we honored Jeff and Carolyn Swenerton who in their 33 years of living in Elfin Forest have contributed mightily to making the community we all enjoy today. Jeff has been mastermind of the picnic and parade for the last many years, and serves on TECC board, after a stint on the Town Council Board. Back in the 90’s he was instrumental in the defeating the trash to energy plant, and in getting large trucks off Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove Roads. Carolyn joined the auxiliary and the block captains from the get go, and they both raised three daughters in the community.
In 2010:
Jacqueline Arsivaud-Benjamin and Eric Anderson – They joined forces in creating Friends Of The Creek to defeat Bridges Unit 7, a proposed development by Lennar which would have brought development and sewer to our Southern flank. They sued the County and the largest homebuilder at the time, and won the preservation in perpetuity of 100 acres of some of the highest value habitat in the region. Jacqueline raised much needed funds by reviving the Garden Festival and the yearly silent auction. Eric served as chair of the Town Council and the parade for many years, and was an early participant in the Multiple Species Conservation Program.
In 2009:
Peggy Petitmermet – Peggy started and continues to manage the block captain organization and played a key role in keeping us all safe through the many emergencies over the years. She also keeps the Fire Wise garden maintained, and has had her award-winning garden featured in several Garden Festivals.
In 2008:
Karen Gardner – Karen edited the newsletter and managed elf alerts for many years – she was also a driving force behind the garden festival and the two community surveys. She opened her garden to the public twice for the Garden Festival, and helped to maintain the Fire Wise garden.
In 2007:
Joe Alemanni - He edited and published the newsletter for five years. Through his dedicated efforts during the 5 years the Chaparral set a high standard as an exemplary, high-quality , on time source of important information for the community. Joe is also a nice person.
In 2005:
Mid Hoppenrath - For her consistently high level of involvement; countless hours of working on traffic and land use issues, sending numerous letters, attending meetings and public hearings. Her gift of time has been a great benefit to the community by protecting the community interest.
In 2004:
Doug Dill – for his membership on the San Dieguito Planning Group; years served on the town council board including years as chairperson, help with the Fire Department focus group.
In 2003:
Lynda Clerke and Frank Oddo. For their work in beautifying Elfin Forest through the Elfin Forest Landscape Foundation, which is funded by CARE.
In 2002:
David and Susan Cronshaw. Susan is a member of the fire board. David chaired the town council for three years and edited and published the newsletter for eight years.
In 2001:
Tim Costanzo. Tim is a volunteer firefighter and TECC member. He was honored for his grant writing and fundraising activities, which benefitted both TECC and the fire department.