Council honors Rotary’s 50 years of service in Pleasanton

The Pleasanton City Council commended the city’s three Rotary clubs Tuesday for their service to the community and named this as “Rotary Week” in honor of Rotary’s 50th anniversary in the city.

With representatives of the three clubs at the council chamber podium, Councilwoman Kathy Narum read a proclamation citing some of the organization’s contributions to Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley over the years.

“I want to thank Rotary for its service to our community, from providing funds for health care for the poor, construction of low income housing, to its work on behalf of the environment, contributions of art works, building a retaining wall on Valley Avenue and arranging for the donation of one of our ‘retired’ fire engines and delivering it to our sister city of Tulancingo, Mexico,” she said.

Most recently, she added, was the generous donation by all three Rotary clubs of the free-standing clock next to the Main Street bridge at the new Rotary Park.

Councilman Jerry Pentin added: “I’ve been a Rotarian for 30 years, including the last 24 years as a member of Pleasanton North Rotary. I as chair of the club’s community service program, my eyes were really opened to all of the great work that Rotary does.”

He said the three Pleasanton clubs — Rotary Club of Pleasanton (also known as the downtown Rotary Club), Pleasanton North Rotary and Tri-Valley Rotary — have donated more than 12,000 wheelchairs to those needing them in the Tulancingo area and other cities and countries.

Scott Raty, president of the downtown Rotary Club as well as president of the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce, thanked the council for its commendation.

“We recognize the great cooperation Rotary has enjoyed over the past 50 years from the leaders of the city of Pleasanton,” he said.

Rotarians and others will also honor the 50th anniversary of Rotary in Pleasanton Friday night at a dinner at Castlewood Country Club