County officials said goodbye to a group of longstanding
representatives during Tuesday’s San Benito County Board of
Supervisors meeting, preceding a dramatic shift in the county’s
offices.
County officials said goodbye to a group of longstanding representatives during Tuesday’s San Benito County Board of Supervisors meeting, preceding a dramatic shift in the county’s offices.
In an emotional presentation that lasted nearly 40 minutes, the county presented awards to seven different officials who were leaving their appointed or elected positions at the end of the year. The officials included the retiring sheriff, Curtis Hill, along with members of the planning and parks and recreation commissions.
Two-term supervisors Pat Loe and Reb Monaco were last to be awarded, as they both received separate standing ovations from the large crowd at the board of supervisors’ chambers.
Monaco, originally voted the District 4 representative in 2002, is leaving the supervisors after becoming an advocate for turning Pinnacles National Monument into a National Park and for the local parks and recreation department. Monaco lost a reelection bid for a third term as a supervisor during the June primary election.
Monaco expects to stay involved with the county in some capacity, but he does want to take some time to do things he loves such as blacksmithing.
“I think I can find something else to do Tuesday mornings,” he said.
Supervisor Margie Barrios gave a goodbye speech to Monaco. With her arm around his shoulder, Barrios called it an honor to be the one to recognize Monaco.
“He put his heart and soul into this – and he is going to miss it,” she said.
Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz recognized Loe, calling the pair’s different opinions the balancing act of the board, and an important piece of the board’s decisions.
“Despite a difference of opinions, we were able to work together and that was for the best of the county,” De La Cruz said.
Loe, the District 3 supervisor since 2003, lost her reelection bid to Robert Rivas in the June primary election. She served the community and city since the mid 1970s when she was elected to the city council.
In a short farewell speech, Loe thanked the board and those she worked with over the past eight years.
“I’m looking forward to what is next,” she said.
Afterward, County Administrative Officer Rich Inman and the administrative staff gave a framed photo to Loe and Monaco, thanking them for their service.
Others that were honored included planning commissioners Gordon Machado, Richard Bettencourt and Robbie Scattini. Machado and Bettencourt were relieved of their duties once their supervisors left office – planning commissioners are appointed by district supervisors. Scattini was asked to leave office after he won a seat on the Hollister City Council in the Nov. 2 election.
Machado called the experience enjoyable.
“I enjoyed every moment of it,” he said.
The experience and job would be missed, Bettencourt said.
Scattini plans to be working with the county again within two years, he said.
The sheriff also said goodbye after announcing his retirement at the end of the year, ending his 12-year reign as the county’s top law enforcement official.
Hill thanked the county for the opportunity to be a “placeholder and responsible for the office of the sheriff.”
“The job of the sheriff is the best job in the world,” he said.
Hill announced he is moving to Sacramento to work in the capitol building once his term is up, but San Benito County would always be his home.
“The opportunity to do this job is really, really great,” he said. “I’m very grateful for everything I’ve been able to do,”
Sheriff’s Lt. Edward Escamilla presented Hill a bobble head of his image before breaking down and thanking him for everything.
“Every time I put on this uniform, I feel grateful because it represents him,” Escamilla said.
The board also recognized retiring Land Conservation Committee member Rita Bowling and parks and recreation commissioner Ray Pierce.
