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July 13, 2018
Early
Friday morning we lost an Auburn legend. Gene Cerino passed away at Auburn
MultiCare surrounded by loved ones. I had the honor of serving on the Auburn
City Council with him. I never was able to call him Gene - I called him Mr.
Cerino because he had been my Drivers Education teacher at Auburn High School
back in the late 70s. It was a respect thing. After my first year on Council
with him he said, “Nancy, call me Gene for heaven’s sakes!” Nope, couldn’t do
it!
For
anyone that attended Auburn High School in the 60s - 80s, you probably
knew him also as the Wrestling Coach, Traffic Safety teacher or for many years
after that as a substitute teacher throughout the district.
While
on the Auburn City Council, he never shied away from the challenging topics -
like Dangerous Dogs. As we worked on that piece of legislation we received
hundreds of comments from people far away from our City. He would read them,
but really only paid attention to the opinions of the people of Auburn, the
ones that he was elected to serve. On a warm Monday council meeting night it
was not unusual to see him arrive in a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and sandals
or tennis shoes. His attire didn’t change the dedicated work that he was
committed to doing! After retiring from the council, he could be found
volunteering at the Senior Center. He was named Volunteer Emeritus in 2012.
At
dinner one night after a full day at a council retreat, he was entertaining us
with stories of his time working and living in Alaska. Suddenly, he put an
empty wine glass on his head. We were a little surprised, and he was delighted
by our reaction. Where he lived in Alaska, that was the way you would signal
that you needed a refill. I could go on and on with stories about the man who
was my friend, mentor and fellow Councilmember. Instead, I will simply say,
“Rest well, Mr. Cerino, I love you and will miss you.”
I
was honored to help welcome another new officer. APD had the pleasure of
swearing in Officer K. Williams - after completing the rigorous academy at
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC)
Officer
Williams attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University where he obtained a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Accounting.
He
also played football for Northwestern Oklahoma State University and later had a
career with the Sioux Falls Storm professional indoor football team,
Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions.
He
joins an amazing group of professionals that serve and protect our community.
If you get a chance, please welcome Officer K. Williams!
As
you know, Chief Bob Lee retired at the end of June after serving the Auburn
community for 37 years. New Chief Bill Pierson has been in his role since
Bob signed off, and has been doing a great job. Please join us on Monday, July
16th at 7:00pm in City Hall Council Chambers for the formal swearing in ceremony.
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“The
world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.”
-Paulo Coelho
Thursday
evening at approximately 9:30, there was a motorcycle fatality near 31st St SE
& A St SE. APD stated that a pick-up truck was turning left in front
of the motorcycle when the two collided.
This morning I found out that the
victim was a friend of mine Robert (Bobby) Baker. He graduated in 1978 and had
a true passion for his motorcycles. He is survived by two adult sons Shane
& Tad, that he was so very proud of, and numerous friends. He will surely
be missed.
Please, especially during the summer months, please watch for
motorcyclists. Lives depend on it!
Friday
was a busy day, and an opportunity to celebrate many things to try and offset
the sadness of our loss. We began with a ribbon cutting for the new Auburn
Habitat For Humanity Store at
1407 Auburn Way S (the former Eagle Leather site - and for those that
have lived here for quite awhile - the original Van’s Furniture Store).
The new
retail location will sell donated building supplies, appliances, furniture,
tools and more, all at very affordable prices. Proceeds will fund the continued
mission of building stability, self-reliance and shelter for families in need.
Check it out - there were some great
deals!
Another
ribbon cutting on Friday afternoon was for Battlefield Coffee House 129 A St NW. The
coffee shop provides job skills to those in recovery, and provides the rest of
us with delicious coffees and treats. Today’s celebration was very well
attended by the community and families that have benefitted from the organization.
I am proud to call the co-founders Art Dahlen and Angie Keaty , as well as
their board president and Auburn School Board member Ryan Van Quill my friends, and I look forward
to partnering with them on great things in our community!
This has been a week of great
emotion. I ask that each of you take time to be kind to one another and be
thankful for the blessings in your life.
I serve a community that is filled
with compassion and goodness. Thank you for allowing me such a privilege!
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