Community Kudos: the SPF 10000 edition
There’s still a way to go before we’re through the teeth of another Imperial Valley summer, but we kind of like to think we’re at the point now — mid-July — where we’re at the seasonal equivalent of hump day.
Before you know it, snowbirds will be again camping out at Walmart, and supplies of SPF 10000 sun screen — specially formulated for desert living and typically applied with a trowel — will become less in demand.
Meanwhile a lot folks around here have been occupying their time finding ways to stay cool.
There are a lot of vacations in cooler climes this time of year. And of course there was a lot of time spent soaking up air conditioning while viewing the recent World Cup tournament.
Our own Arturo Bojorquez gets so excited about it, he’s already started heckling fans from Qatar on Facebook in preparation for the 2022 tournament.
OK, maybe that last bit isn’t true. What is true, however, is that we’re well overdue for another edition of Community Kudos, and we’d like to kick it off this week by congratulating the city of El Centro’s new public works and community services directors.
The city confirmed Tuesday the hiring of Abraham Campos as director of public works and Adriana Nava as director of community services.
Both positions serve significant roles in maintaining and improving the quality of services and quality of life in the community. We wish them well.
That story appeared in yesterday’s paper, where we also announced the adoption by the city of Imperial of a five-year economic strategic plan.
There is always a certain amount a speculation and warm-fuzzies surrounding these kinds of documents, but there is no question Imperial is one of the fastest-growing communities, percentage-wise, in the entire state.
Planning for that growth and seizing upon its potential only make sense.
Kudos to deputies at the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office station in Winterhaven for being invested in the community they serve and handing out free kiddie pools.
The station purchased a total of 30 pools and handed them out, along with water safety instructions, to local children. The aim was both to help the kids stay cool, but also to discourage them from being tempted to take a dip in the canals.
We didn’t mention it when it first opened, but we want to correct an oversight now by acknowledging the all-inclusive playground recently built at Adrian C. Cordova Park in Calexico.
The design of the park is such that it is able to accommodate children with a wide range of special needs, whether they be wheelchair-bound or somewhere on the autism spectrum.
Special needs kids are still under-served in the community in terms of safe places to play. We consider the park in Calexico to be a step in the right direction and a model for future projects in the area.