Livermore Area Recreation and Park District Board Recognizes Livermore Rodeo Partners

At a regular meeting Wednesday night, the Board of Directors for the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District honored participants of the Livermore Rodeo and also received a presentation from the rodeo foundation.

The Board recognized young adults in the Students Promoting the Understanding of Rodeo Success (SPURS) group - Cecily Brooks, Travis Ferris and David Phillips. Also recognized were the Miss Livermore Rodeo Princesses - Parker Anderson, Faythe Fowler, Addison Hart, Savanna Johnson, Ava Lytle and Monica Rasmussen. Both groups were new to the rodeo this year.

Kathleen Minser, president of the Livermore Rodeo Foundation, spoke to Directors about the nonprofit part of the rodeo. The foundation was formed in 2008 to support ranching activities in the community. The foundation also worked on the "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" campaign that supports the ValleyCare Health Library and the Ryan Comer Cancer Research Center for Breast Cancer.

Director Maryalice Faltings congratulated the Livermore Stockmen's Rodeo Association and its president, John Goltz, for the new elements added this year, including the Cowgirl Luncheon and the after-rodeo Saloon Party.

During the meeting, the Board approved a resolution establishing the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Annual Appropriations Limit. This is annually required by the State of California to comply with regulations for special districts. The 2014-15 Appropriations Limit is $17,973,673 - an increase of $224,807 from the current fiscal year.

Directors also declared July 2014 as "Parks Make Life Better Month" in conjunction with the California Park and Recreation Society. This designation serves to encourage residents to use their local parks and take advantage of recreation programs and facilities. Recreation provides positive alternatives for youth; outdoor spaces allow children and adults to be active; and nature provides access to serenity. LARPD is proud to offer programs, parks, open spaces and more to the community.

In other meeting business, the Board selected to vote for Shane McAffee, general manager of the Greater Vallejo Recreation District, as representative in Region 3, Seat C, for the California Special Districts Association Board of Directors.

Also at the meeting, several Board Members expressed their support for the Bankhead Theater and its importance to the community; Director Beth Wilson talked about some of the LARPD Park Rangers' open space programs; and Director Steve Goodman highlighted the many offerings for camps and classes this summer through LARPD. Staff reminded the public that District offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, for Independence Day.

—Information submitted by LARPD