One of our city
’s best kept secrets recently retired and she is already sorely
missed. Debbie Simon, also known as “Disaster Debbie” quietly left
her employment for the office of Emergency Services on Dec. 20.
One of our city’s best kept secrets recently retired and she is already sorely missed. Debbie Simon, also known as “Disaster Debbie” quietly left her employment for the office of Emergency Services on Dec. 20.
Debbie touched lives. Debbie saved lives. Your life may have been touched or saved by Debbie without realizing it. She coordinated the annual safety fair for our city as well as our Neighborhood Watch Program. She developed and taught the Safer Kids with Emergency Response Training (SKWERT) for elementary students in private schools. This program has become a certified course and is being adopted by other cities in the Bay Area.
Our Office of Emergency Services was revitalized due to Debbie’s hard work and enthusiasm, and she recently held the position of vice chair of the Santa Clara County Emergency Mangers Association. She had a close relationship with the South County Amateur Radio network. Her role as Office of Emergency Services coordinator required her, under state regulations, to be the chief advisor to our City Manager in the event of any natural or man made disaster. The chief function of this service is to save lives and protect property.
Debbie’s impact on our city, as well as our county, will be evident for years to come, particuarly as we adopt the Citizens Corps created by the Office of Homeland Security. Her skill in increasing communication, coordination, cooperation and accountability among diverse groups and organizations responsible for a successful emergency response is well known.
Please take a moment and send Debbie your well wishes through a quiet whisper of thanks or a prayer of gratitude and thoughts of a healthy, joy-filled retirement.
I’ve been giving lots of thought to our youth, and the budget crisis and how they will be affected by this dramatic loss of funds.
Even in the most prosperous of times, our schools were faced with one counselor to 500 students. Seems like the odds are stacked against both counselor and student. With graduation looming, I’m betting many of our community’s youth have not explored their options for vocational training, military service, career opportunities and various colleges.
For a healthy, productive workforce, our youth should be exploring options available to them from middle school on. They should know their academic strengths and aptitudes, along with the areas of weakness. Just as our Gang Awareness Task Force was community driven, a Task Force for helping youth identity their next step could be community driven.
So, that’s my next area of concentration and I would love your comments. A youth/community driven base of resources and support for exploration of life choices. Just think of what we could accomplish gathering the library, schools, counselors, adult education, youth, foundations, leadership groups, chambers, etc.
I love lists, and I collect them as well as compile them. On my desk now are: “80 skills kids should have before they start kindergarten” which is great since registration for kinder is right around the corner. “Coping with deployment: Do’s and Don’ts” and “How to support our troops through care packages and letter writing.” Parents, teachers, and churches could use these lists as a service project or an educational program. I would also be glad to chat with any groups that would like further information.
“Quick tips for a quick home sale;” as spring is quickly approaching. “How to pray for your child/teen and a parent’s prayer.” Studies show that most of us do lift our loved ones in prayer daily. If you would like any of these lists, please e mail me at ma***************@***oo.com and I’ll get them off to you.
In closing, hold this thought close: There will never be another now – I will make the most of today. There will never be another me – I will make the most of myself. Blessings to you and my your hearts be filled with peace, love, and joy.
