Council honors Elkins’ retirement with plaque
He retires from The Recorder on Aug. 25
The Porterville City Council presented Rick Elkins with a plaque Tuesday to honor his retirement from editor and publisher of the Porterville Recorder on Aug. 25.
“This goes to a young man that is retiring from our community, who has been here for a while and has done a great job,” said Mayor Milt Stowe, adding, “Rick is a true professional.”
He added, “He is one of the few reporters you can say ‘this is off the record’ and he keeps it off the record, and I certainly appreciate that,” Stowe said.
Elkins, who has worked at The Recorder for a combined 22 years, said the award was not expected, “but definitely appreciated.”
“Porterville has been a home to us,” said Elkins, referring to his wife, Doris Elkins, and his daughter, Dana Elkins, who were both in attendance at the council meeting to watch him receive his award. “Even though I moved away when I left in ’98, it has always had a place in my heart.”
Having worked at a number of newspapers in the area, Elkins said the City of Porterville is one of the newsiest.
“There is always something going on,” Elkins said, adding, “Cam [council member Cameron Hamilton] alone supported the headlines for a while.”
Overall, Elkins said working for The Recorder has been a lot of fun and noted that he expects the paper to continue to thrive and report fairly and accurately on the community.
“Thank you very much,” he said.
Council member Monte Reyes, who served on a local committee with Elkins, said he learned a lot from him.
“When I was new in my experiences in town, he [Elkins] really taught me
a little bit of class and how to work with people and keep things going in the right direction,” Reyes said. “I will always appreciate that. Thanks Rick.” Although he hasn’t had a lot of experiences with the newspaper veteran, Vice Mayor Brian Ward said Elkins has always treated people fairly and is always looking out for those in the community.
“Rick is not just someone who comes in and punches his ticket, he is much more community minded and service oriented and I appreciate that,” Ward said. “I think what you have done with The Recorder, especially the challenges that the paper industry faces these days, has been remarkable and I will miss your leadership and your experience.”
Council member Cameron Hamilton said he too will miss Elkins and his way of doing business and wished him well on his
retirement.
“It has been a pleasure bud,” Hamilton said. “You always did it right and it was a lot of fun. Enjoy your retirement and hopefully you will be able to do a bunch of travelling or whatever floats your boat.”
Council member Martha Flores said she has gotten to know Elkins in many different capacities and said working with him has always been enjoyable.
“Enjoy your retirement,
your family, and whatever it is you are going to do,” she said.
Even though Stowe was impressed with Elkins’ professionalism, Stowe said it gives him great pleasure that “I can call him my friend.”
“We have been friends for a while and I really appreciate that and for what you have done for us in this community,” Stowe said. “I hope you and your family enjoy your retirement.”