Mike Darnold, Matt Gaffney and Jean Vincenzi will added to San Juan Capistrano’s “Wall of Recognition,” the City Council decided Tuesday.
The Wall of Recognition is in the Community Center on Camino Del Avion and honors residents who have volunteered in the community. Recipients are nominated, then chosen and confirmed by the City Council.
Darnold, a 35-year resident, has been highly involved in the community, focusing primarily on youth though Rotary and other efforts. He is a former Capistrano Unified School District trustee.
Gaffney has been involved in the community most of his life. He has served on City boards and commissions since 1986 and has devoted his time to organizations such as the Historical Society and Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort. He is also active in veterans groups and a board member on the SJC Historical Society.
An avid volunteer, Jean Vincenzi has lived in town since 1979. She has been involved with the San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library, which raises funds to benefit the library, for the past 14 years and currently serves as president.
Their names will be added to our Wall of Recognition at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center in a ceremony at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 30.
A council subcommittee of Mayor Sam Allevato and Councilman Larry Kramer served on the nominating committee. The three were unanimously confirmed by the City Council, but Councilwoman Laura Freese asked that the process be examined in the future because other council members cannot weigh in on the nominees privately, and raising concerns publicly would be embarrassing.
Wait a minute, how can you be an asset to the community without suing it? What a wacky idea - honoring those who work towards solving problems.
Congratulations to three real community watchdogs.
Posted by: Heather Paige | May 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Mike Darnold deserves this award and much much more. He is a major asset to the city and to the families in the area. Thank you Mike for your concern, compassion and tenacity.
Posted by: Way to go Mike! | May 18, 2011 at 02:56 PM
Good point Heather
Perhaps there is a special wall for those that are a disgrace to the community and not quite an assett but three letters short of that. I nominate Jim Reardon.
Mike is an incredible man and has helped many of our youth. He gave when others only wanted to take. This was a good decision on the part of Capistrano
Posted by: Good choice | May 18, 2011 at 03:37 PM
Congrats to Mike! He cares about kids.
Posted by: HipHipHooray | May 18, 2011 at 05:15 PM
Well deserved award to Mike. You are my hero and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do for kids.
Posted by: Sheri | May 18, 2011 at 06:20 PM
Congratulations to Mike. He has saved a lot of lives and helped so many young troubled kids.
Posted by: mayo gubbins | May 18, 2011 at 06:48 PM
"Keep it secret, keep it safe."
Mike Darnold.
Posted by: former student | May 18, 2011 at 07:35 PM
Congratulations, Mike. There is no one more deserving. You are a champion for children and an honest, decent man. Thank you for all you have done to make the community a better place for all of us.
Posted by: Crystal | May 19, 2011 at 09:31 AM
Mike Darnold is a champion for kids!
Posted by: CVHSfan | May 20, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Darnold was a lot of other things too. Some of them were not good and they hurt the district very much. But that's never been important to the revisionists and Kool-Aid drinkers here.
Posted by: OK, but... | May 20, 2011 at 12:45 PM