Chan named acting director of parks
Assistant City Manager Amy Chan will take over as acting director of the Department of Parks and Recreation while the city conducts a search to replace John Christian, who died of prostate cancer Aug. 8.
The city expects the nationwide search to take up to six months.
"It will be a challenge, of course, since John Christian set such a high standard for the city and for his profession. His shoes will be very difficult to fill, but we hope we will be able to find someone of his caliber," Chan said.
Due to a summer recess followed by the Labor Day holiday, the Sunnyvale City Council will not meet again until Sept. 10.
Correction
The correct address for St. Luke Lutheran Church, where checks may be sent in John Christian's memory, is 1025 The Dalles, Sunnyvale, 94087-4035.
City, union reach pact on contract
Negotiators for the city and the Sunnyvale Employees' Association have reached agreement on a contract, approved by the City Council at its Aug. 13 meeting. This agreement is effective July 1, 1996, and ends June 30, 1999.
Negotiators participated in 16 collective bargaining sessions over a three-month period before agreeing on contract provisions.
The employees' association membership ratified the agreement Aug. 8.
Commission OKs school expansion
Sunnyvale's Planning Commission voted to unanimously Aug. 12 to approve construction of a chapel and library at the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School.
Since the school moved to its location on Astoria Avenue 20 years ago, students have used the multipurpose room for a cafeteria, gym, library, theater and chapel.
Fred Zaghi, a member of the school's board of directors, said the building will be 6,750 square feet, costing an estimated $100 per square foot.
City council appoints Moffett committee
Sunnyvale City Council voted unanimously Aug. 13 for Mayor Robin Parker to appoint a subcommittee to work with Mountain View on the formation of a community group to study alternatives for the future use of Moffett Federal Airfield.
Parker named Councilmembers Pat Vorreiter and Stan Kawczynski and herself to the subcommittee that will work with three members of Mountain View's City Council on guidelines for the Community Advisory Group that NASA requested.
ATHENA Award Nominations
Nominations are currently being accepted for the ATHENA Award, an honor given to recognize an outstanding businesswoman.
The ATHENA Award will be presented on Sept. 21 at Showcase Sunnyvale, the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Dinner.
Sponsored by the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, the Sunnyvale Sun and Pearson Oldsmobile Pontiac GMC, the ATHENA Award will be presented to a Sunnyvale businesswoman for the very first time.
Nominees are evaluated for having demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession, assisted women in reaching their leadership potential, contributed to the betterment of the Sunnyvale community, and having devoted time and energy to improving the quality of life for others.
Nomination forms can be picked up at the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, the Sunnyvale Sun and the Pearson dealership. The forms are due by Wednesday, Sept. 4; mail to or drop off at the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, ATHENA Award, 499 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale, 94086-6193.
The 1996 Sertoman of the Year Award
Sunnyvale resident Ralph Abel has been named the recipient of the Sertoman of the Year award from the Sertoma Club of Sunnyvale.
Abel received the award for his service to the club as well as the community.
During Abel's first year with the club, 1989, he received the Service to Mankind Award. Since then he has served as the treasurer, 1993-94, and secretary, 1994-95. He was elected president for 1995-96, but he declined due to health problems. Abel has also been actively involved in the Sertoma Club's Heritage Programs.
He has been involved in many community service activities such as volunteering at the Santa Clara County Special Olympics for Track and Field Events from 1989 to 1994 and working at the Sertoma Club's fundraising events such as the Fourth of July beer and/or food booths and the June Art and Wine Festival wine tasting.
Abel's involvement with the American Youth Soccer Organization predates his membership in the Sertoma Club. He coached 34 teams over a period of 19 years and he brought involvement with youth soccer to the club by having the club sponsor a team.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, August 21, 1996.
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