Daly City Fire Department celebrates its centennial

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 8, 2007

The 100th anniversary of the founding of the Daly City Fire Department will be celebrated with a presentation and video at the "History Evening" meeting of the History Guild of Daly City/Colma on Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend the free program in the Doelger Center's multi-use room, 101 Lake Merced Blvd., Daly City.

Former Daly City Fire Chief Bob O'Connell will talk about the Aug. 2, 1907, founding of the entity that would become the Daly City Fire Department, the department's history, and the gala civic banquet being held Sept. 29 at Lake Merced Golf and Country Club to mark the event.

The Daly City/Colma History Guild maintains a Mini-Museum open Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Serramonte Main Branch of the Daly City Library, 40 Wembly Drive.

Questions? Call Guild Vice President/Program Chair Richard Rocchetta at 650-992-9144 or Guild President Mark Weinberger at 415- 750-1939.

BATON TWIRLING MEDALIST -- Brisbane resident Elizabeth "Libby" Wilson is one of the USA team's eight members who brought home a silver medal from the 2007 3rd International Cup Baton Twirling and 28th World Baton Twirling Championships held last month in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

A junior at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, Wilson earned a coveted position on the World Cup Baton team representing the U.S. There were over 500 competitors from around the world, including Ireland, Norway, South Africa, Japan, England, Canada, Slovenia, Croatia and Scotland.

Wilson's team executed difficult twirling moves while performing a gymnastic-type routine. Their routine was judged for technical accuracy, the degree of difficulty of the moves, dance proficiency, accuracy of baton placement in the air, and artistic display. The team received a score of 8.00.

Wilson's past achievements include winning gold at the state, western and national level competitions. Last year, she earned the bronze in Rome, and now, this year, the silver in Canada at the World competitions.

A Brisbane resident and the 16-year-old daughter of Alison and Bob Wilson, Wilson gratefully thanks everyone who lent her support and helped make this opportunity possible.

PROTECTED LAND -- After nearly seven years, patience and perseverance has paid off for the Friends of Sweeney Ridge, as a 7.2- acre parcel of land at the Sneath Lane gateway to the Sweeney Ridge hiking trail in San Bruno is now owned by the National Park Service.

Although located in San Bruno, the acreage was owned by the city of Pacifica, which was originally unaware that it was the owner. Pacifica declared the parcel surplus property and soon developers began offering various proposals. The property's San Bruno neighbors and the Pacifica Land Trust were opposed to development, because they wanted it to remain as open space.

"It has been a long tough road since Jan. 11, 2001, when we first distributed some flyers to neighbors' doors," said Ernie Gomes of San Bruno. "On March 20, 2001, we gathered at my home and from that day on became known as The Friends of Sweeney Ridge, supporters and collaborators of the Pacifica Land Trust.

"Shortly afterward, the Pacifica Land Trust negotiated a Purchase Option Agreement with the city of Pacifica, which hoped to sell the property to the PLT if it could raise enough money. This opportunity gave us time to build our case, establish the importance of preserving the property, and host several fund-raisers over the years to help PLT buy the scenic gateway."

In 2004, Pacific Gas & Electric Company was given permission by the state Public Utilities Commission to construct the Jefferson- Martin high-voltage power line in San Mateo County. Since this power line would partially run through the San Francisco watershed, GGNRA asked PG&E to purchase the Sweeney parcel as mitigation for the environmental impacts. In 2005, PG&E agreed to buy the land.

"Now that escrow has closed and Pacifica has granted a Conservation Easement to the National Park Service, our famous Sweeney Ridge gateway will be protected forever by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area," stated Gomes.

"Congratulations and thanks to everyone who donated to the Pacifica Land Trust and to those who worked with the GGNRA and Ranger George Durgerian as site stewards," added Gomes.

"Also, special thanks to PG&E for making this happen and agreeing to pay the City of Pacifica $800,000 for that glorious piece of property.

And, of course, thanks to Nancy Hornor of the GGNRA, San Francisco Water Department, Bay Area Ridge Trails, Pacifica and San Bruno city councils, and Congressman Tom Lantos for supporting us."

FUN DAY -- The 14th Annual Fun Day for developmentally disabled children and adults, presented free by the Bay Area Knights of Columbus Foundation and Serra Bowl in Daly City on Aug. 15, gave a record number of 618 attendees, including 120 volunteers, a day to remember.

Al Belotz of Daly City served as emcee. Cindy Blackstone of The Janet Pomeroy Center and Marian Mann of the Daly City Host Lions Club were co-chairs.