Community team members recognized at awards ceremony

SAN DIEGO – At the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation’s annual awards ceremony held in December at San Dieguito County Park, individuals from the Fallbrook area were recognized as outstanding employees, volunteers and community team members who contribute to the high quality programs and facilities operated by the department.

The Fallbrook community team members receiving awards included John McLelland, crime prevention specialist stationed at the Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation, who was recognized and thanked for his years of service as Crime Dog McGruff, gang education and intervention training and organizing Neighborhood Watch groups.

Tom Rhine, Iowa St School principal and After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program administrator, was honored for helping the Fallbrook Community Center operate an excellent ASES Program at La Paloma School, with assistance from Principal Lea Curcio.

Also recognized for their contributions were Ben Lian, a firefighter with North County Fire Protection District and Explore Post advisor, along with Explorer Scouts Dennis Soriano and Marcos Farr. Fallbrook firefighters and Explorer Scouts have held an annual pancake breakfast at the community center for over 20 years and assisted with special events including Safe Halloween, Health Fair and Egg Hunt.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is responsible for camping and picnic parks, hiking, biking and horseback trails, nature preserves, playgrounds, community centers, teen centers and gymnasiums from the Tijuana River Valley to De Luz Canyon.