Admired teacher, dedicated building inspector honored at April GMSP
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: May 02, 2008
The Chamber of Commerce at the April Good Morning Santa Paula honored an admired educator and a dedicated public employee.
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
The Chamber of Commerce at the April Good Morning Santa Paula honored an admired educator and a dedicated public employee. Don and Debbie Johnson/Santa Paula Times hosted the Chamber-sponsored event, held at Logsdon’s at the Santa Paula Airport.
Santa Paula Elementary School District Superintendent Elizabeth De Vita thanked the Chamber for “repeatedly recognizing” outstanding educators, and said she was “delighted to again to present one of our fine teachers.”
Teacher of the Month Elizabeth Evans “hit the ground running” when she joined the Isbell Middle School staff, noted Principal Raul Betancourt, who said when he was asked to nominate an educator for the honor “I called this fine young lady.” Evans not only oversees a “fantastic program” benefiting educational opportunities for Isbell students, but Betancourt said she also has shown that she is “not just an instructor, but is a hands-on teacher; she takes that extra step” to ensure that each student sets and meets their own goals.
Evans, who graduated from high school at the beginning of her 9th grade year, said a Chinese fortune cookie had set her future course: “It said to avoid” occupations that do not challenge the individual. “If you can make a change in lives, when they’re 13 and 14 years old and that’s when they need it most,” such a challenge, said Evans, has been surpassed.
Public Employee of the Quarter Albert Carnahan was introduced by Building & Safety Director Steve Stuart, who noted that “about two-and-a-half years ago the City Council decided to increase Code Enforcement” and add inspectors to staff. Carnahan, a Building Inspector 1, has proven to be a strong addition to the city’s program that targets sub-standard conditions of residential property and offers rehabilitation programs to correct such conditions.
“Albert is an integral part of the program,” which in 2006 completed more than 200 Code Enforcement actions, “the most we have ever done,” noted Stuart. In 2007, with Carnahan and two other inspectors, the department completed more than 300 cases. “It is a big job in the city,” said Stuart. “In my perspective it’s one of the toughest jobs in the city to be involved in.”
Code Enforcement, said Carnahan, is a group effort: “There are other inspectors involved as well, there is no way one person” can accomplish such a task. “Also, the ladies at the front counter and others in the department that all do their parts to get this accomplished,” he noted.
GMSP Moderator Ben Schuck asked if “most people are cooperative” when notified that their property is out of compliance. Carnahan said that some are, but others “don’t think someone should tell them what to do with their property.”
Stuart noted that the city has a full range of housing rehabilitation programs to help property owners to correct sub-standard conditions, but that the program is now seeking additional grant funding.
John Macik/Santa Paula Chevrolet provides the monthly Chamber award plaques.
|
