Community Services Commissioner Ronald E. Ruef has been named outstanding commissioner for the state by the California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members (CAPRCBM).
The recognition is significant by CAPRCBM, which is a non-profit organization of 193 agency members across the state.
Ron, who is serving his secondterm as chairperson, has been a member of the City’s Community Services Commission since January 2005. He served from 1988 to 1993 on the City of Long Beach’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Ron also is the incoming president of CAPRCBM and will be installed in early March.
Ron was involved in the planning and public input process for the 13,500-square-foot expansion of the City’s Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center to accommodate growing program and facility rental needs. The project, which was completed March 29, 2008, included refurbishing the existing building, updating the 19-year-old center with the latest audio and video equipment and other significant site improvements.
Ron was involved with the ad hoc committee that developed the concept for the Community Center expansion. He was also a part of the committee that conducted interviews to select an architect for the Center expansion and participated in the multiple public input meetings at the Community Services Commission.
The expansion concept included a main event room with a stage and adjoining kitchen plus two meeting rooms for City programs and rentals on the inside. Exterior construction improvements called for tying the building to the adjacent site amenities including the construction of sports fields, parking lots, the Oso Creek Trail and new children’s playground.
Great Job Ron, you always work so hard- fulfilling all your commitments with a smile and a joke to make the job lighter. Now for the hard stuff- you need to run for an elected seat, the people love you, and public service suits you….at least think about November 2010?