Every year at the 4th of July Picnic, the Town Council presents the Citizen of the Year award to the local resident who has significantly contributed to the quality of life in the community. Following is a brief summary of the those honored, 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 honored and no doubt will continue to do so. (The rest of them got too tired and moved away...)
| 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. |
| 2006 | Jennifer and Charles Coburn - The Coburn's wonderfully creative and beautiful art has given the community a cohesive identity that's readily identifiable as you drive through the forest. Their espirit de corps is obvious and our community is much better for their creative genius and generosity. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 2003 | Lynda Clerke and Frank Oddo. For their work in beautifying Elfin Forest through the Elfin Forest Landscape Foundation, which is funded by CARE. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 2000 | Evelyn Alemanni. Evelyn has served as town council chairperson for two terms, and served as a board member for many more years. In 2000, she compiled, designed, edited, and published the Millennium edition of the Community Guide and set up the community website. Evelyn and her husband, Joe, also worked tirelessly fighting the landfill expansion and the trash plant. |
| 1999 | Frank and Pat McCullough have lived here so long they don’t remember how long it’s actually been. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because you see it every time you drive down Harmony Grove Rd. They’re the people you always see along the road, smiling and waving to neighbors as we drive by. Twice a week Frank and Pat pick up all the trash along the road. And as if that isn’t enough, they also do Country Club Lane once a week. We are grateful for their dedication and strong backs! |
| 1998 | Sue and Rob Hill have lived in Elfin Forest for more than 18 years. Sue, a realtor, has probably been in every house in Elfin Forest and probably sold you the house you live in today. She underwrites many town council and fire department events. Her husband, Rob, is the dedicated soul who posts the signs along the road that let you know it’s time to attend the monthly town council meeting. |
| 1997 | Sue
Tolman and her
husband Dale bought their lot off Fortuna del Sur in 1988
and moved into their new home in 1992. They have three boys,
ages 3, 7 and 9 (as of July 1997). Ever since Sue moved into
the community, she has dedicated an enormous amount of her
time trying to preserve the rural environment enjoyed by
Elfin Forest residents. First she helped fight the County
over landfill issues and for the past two years led the
activities aimed at improving the San Elijo Ranch project on
behalf of the Elfin Forest Town Council. She became actively
involved with Citizens Against Rural Exploitation (CARE)
organization. |
| 1996 | Frank Twohy moved to the area in 1980. He joined the fire department in 1982 and for the last fourteen years has expended a great deal of time and energy to helping make the fire department the success it is today. Frank advanced from fire fighter to Captain to Battalion Chief and in 1993 became Fire Chief. During the last three years Frank, who is a founding director of the Elfin Forest Community Foundation, was a key individual on the Foundation in negotiating with the City of San Marcos to release funds from the Remediation trust formed for the direct impact on the community by the landfill. A direct result of his efforts is that Grants are now available to the community to enhance the quality of rural life in the greater Elfin Forest community. This was no small feat which the community recognizes and for which the community is grateful. |
| 1995 | Martha Blane/Leonard Wittwer moved to the area in 1982. Martha and Leonard are very understated and would tell you that their contributions are minimal. But in fact, Martha and Leonard have both served several terms on the Town Council Board, are founding and current directors of The Elfin Forest Creek Conservancy... Martha served as its President. Both Martha and Leonard are highly environmentally educated. Their expertise was sought in selecting the trees and shrubs planted along our roadways and at the fire station. They are responsible for organizing several successful Earth Day trash cleanups of the Creek area and establishing and maintaining the TECC Adopt A Highway stretch of Harmony Grove Road. |
| 1994 | Betsy Keithley moved to the area in 1985. Betsy joined the fire department in 1986 and served for five years. Betsy has a deep love for the community and has demonstrated this through her active participation in the community's many organizations and committees. She has served many terms on the Town Council and Fire Boards and is Secretary on both. She has been the unofficial editor of the Town Council Chaparral Newsletter, along with Dave Cronshaw for several years. Betsy is also the keeper of the community's history having organized and maintained the Elfin Forest Archives. |
| 1993 | Al Sargeant moved to the area in 1989. As soon as his house was built, he stepped right up and offered his services to the community. Al joined the fire department in 1990 and was elected to the Town Council in 1991. Al was Chairman of the Town Council in 1991 and 1992. During that time he put in incredible time and talent into helping to lead the community in its fight to defeat an attempt by the City of San Marcos to extend their sphere of influence into our community. This fight was successful and a grateful community honored Al for his leadership. |
| 1992 | Steve & Nona Barker moved to the area in 1983 and have been active in the community ever since. Steve joined the fire department in 1984 and is now a Captain. He served several terms on the Town Council Board and was Chairman for two terms. He is a founding director of The Escondido Creek Conservancy and has served as its President. Nona has been elected to the Fire Board every year since 1985 and has been its Secretary since then. Nona has worked on the 4th of July Parade & Picnic for many years organizing many of the activities including the auction, raffle, and children's games. Steve and Nona can always be counted on to become involved and lend that needed helping hand. |
| 1991 | Fire Fighters. These men and women donate hundreds of hours in training and on the fire line to the community. They have successfully fought back many brush fires that have threatened our area. They get out of their beds in the middle of the night to answer a medical aid call or respond to a vehicle accident. In 1990, they successfully fought back the Del Dios fire which eventually claimed 3000 acres on the other side of the hills ... but not on this side even though it swept back several times. Our fire fighters put up a valiant fight and won. |
| 1990 | Bruce & Linda Hamilton moved to the area in the early 1980s. Linda has been very active in the Town Council where she served several terms. Linda is an expert horsewoman and has worked tirelessly on the Riding Club and Trails committee. She organized and hosted the Town Council "Fun Day" for several years and has donated many hours to the Town Council Halloween fund raiser and the 4th of July parade. Bruce was honored for his leadership in The North County Concerned Citizens and for his leadership in the fight against the trash incinerator. |
| 1989 | Bill & Abby Barker moved to the area in 1977 and Bill joined the fire department. He has been fire chief since 1979. Abby has been a member of the department since 1981 and is a Lt. and prior to that was acting secretary/treasurer of the Fire Board. They are founding members of the Town Council. Bill served many terms and as Chairman for two terms. Abby has also served several terms on the Board. Bill was our elected member to the San Dieguito Planning Group in 1978 and served on several planning committees in the community. Abby organized the Elfin Forest Greeters, was editor for the first Community Guide, organized the Christmas lights contest, the first 4th of July parade and has chaired the 4th of July picnic for 9 years. |
| 1988 | Nils & Elfriedel Lunnerdal moved to the area in 1980. Both joined the fire department in 1981. Even though Nils was "retirement" age, he could outlast the youngest fire fighters on the fire line. Frieda is an emergency medical technician on the fire department, handles the medical training for the department, and conducts CPR and first aid classes for the community. They organized the Fire Auxiliary and have worked on countless Town Council committees including tree planting, fire safe garden, the community signs, and the Community Guide. |
| 1987 | Max & Esther Altmann were recognized for their many years of community involvement. Esther was one of the early pioneers of this area. Together, Max and Esther have been involved from the first "Town Council" to the current Town Council. They seldom miss a meeting. They have also been generous in their financial support of the fire department. Max and Esther have a fierce love for this area, and were recognized for their commitment to preserving open space in the Questhaven/Elfin Forest community. |
| 1986 | Steve Isaac has been active with the Questhaven Retreat since the 1940s in maintaining and protecting that 640 acres of wilderness preserve in our community and has worked hard to maintain the unique rural atmosphere of this area we all enjoy. Steve served as Chairman of the Town Council and donated many hours to committee work. He was also a leader in the fight against the trash incinerator. |
| 1985 | Glen Lepley was recognized for his many years of community activism. Glenn organized the first community "Town Council" in the 1950s. He is highly respected for his "wealth of knowledge" of the area and has conducted many community walks through the years. He lent his experience and expertise in forming the current Town Council. Glen passed away in February, 2000. |
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