Michelle Michelotti-Gable, daughter of former City Councilwoman Sharrell Michelotti, has won the commendation of the current council for her contribution of defibrillators to be placed in city parks.

The defibrillators can be used in the event someone in the parks suffers a sudden heart attack.

Gable, whose husband Michael died in September 2009 at the age of 38 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an excessive thickening of the heart muscle, established the Gable Heart Beats Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization to support families suffering from the effects of sudden cardiac arrest.

"Michael loved this city;" Gable told the council, with their children Matteo and Grace at her side. Grace also was detected with cardiomyopathy at the age of 11 months and is a survivor. The family will partner with the Rage girls soccer organization in February to celebrate the installation of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in a sports park.

The council has presented special commendations to three others for their service to the community.

Aidan Husejnovic, a dog lover, was thanked for coming up with the name Cubby for the city's newest off-leash dog park. Cubby was the city's first police canine, whose performance Aidan learned was exemplary in the line of duty. Aidan, who just turned 11, submitted the winning name after seeing another canine in a patrol car cruising the streets of Pleasanton.

In its letter of commendation, the council praised Aidan for suggesting the name Cubby, "who will now live on in perpetuity."

Also commended was the Play Bernal fundraising committee, which is raising $2 million to help fund the development of Pleasanton's newest state-of-the-art multipurpose sports fields at Bernal Community Park.

The committee, representing the more than 8,000 youths participating in field sports in Pleasanton, found support amongst the many individuals, families and businesses that support a healthy lifestyle and physical activity for people of all ages, especially youth. As a result, the newly opened sports complex has become a magnet for sports activities and tournaments.

Jon Asmussen, who chaired the Play Bernal Committee, said the results of these efforts speak for themselves: "Drive by and see the fields. They're filled, and that's what it's all about," he told the council.

Also earning a special council commendation was the Veterans Memorial Committee, which raised funds to build the memorial dedicated Nov. 12 atop the hill at Pioneer Cemetery on Sunol Boulevard.

The council letter of commendation cited the "dedicated" group of local veterans organizations that joined forces in partnership with the city to raise funds for the needed memorial to recognize and honor veterans, past and present.

The commendation reads:

"Whereas the group, having had a vision for some time about how best to honor those who served, decided on the tranquility and serenity of the Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery for its setting; and whereas the Veterans Memorial Committee, having secured the location, worked quickly to raise the needed resources, spurred by the generous seed money by the (Gary and Nancy) Harrington family;

"And whereas, in a fitting tribute to all who served and sacrificed, the committee commissioned the bronze soldier as the memorial's centerpiece, a one-of-a-kind statue created by a Vietnam veteran, now, therefore, be it resolved that the Pleasanton City Council hereby commends the Veterans Memorial Committee to realize this memorial project as an essential reflection of ongoing commitment of support and honor of those who serve."