Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Bruce Horton: Unique and Truly A Great Man

My next nominee for any award that can be created to be associated with the standards kept by John Olguin, goes to Mr. Bruce Horton.

I am biased towards Mr. Horton for a great number of reasons and I have to acknowledge that he retired from the company I continue to work for.

That being written, there are some great qualities demonstrated by Bruce as well as some qualities that make him even more special to OUR community.

Bruce Horton is the secretary of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council. Bruce is also a long time member of what was finally established to be the steering committee of R Neighborhoods Are 1. Bruce believes, and I think we all can agree on this point, that the steering committee is somewhat of a rudderless group of folks seeking the best things for OUR community, especially dealing with the Ponte Vista at San Pedro project.

It is kind of funny for a "steering committee" to also be thought of as a "rudderless group" as Bruce describes us, and he is fairly correct in his use of the terms. That is absolutely not to think that the committee doesn't get things done or is disorganized in any way, mind you. I just seems to mean that we sometimes get a bit off-course during some of our meetings.

Bruce is the one that wishes there would be a rudder, but he always seems to get every one's attention so we can get back on course.

Bruce Horton is also very involved with activities and issues surrounding Angels Gate. He also worked on the White Point Nature Preserve issues. Bruce is a dedicated and very knowledgeable person when it comes to OUR community.

Bruce is also the senior member of our little band of folks who have created a movement, the likes of which haven't been seen in this community for a very long time.

Should we honor his age when dealing with him and the issues. I feel very strongly that Bruce would be extremely offended if we did. Bruce is able to spar with the best and youngest of us and he is always ready to use his knowledge and skills to help the committees he is on and help anyone else that seeks him out.

Bruce is quite quick with a smile and a funny line or two at any moment. Many local residents have met him during the long hours he has donated seeking signatures on R1 petitions all over town.

Mr. Horton is friendly, but when I get him a little ticked at me, he is very,very willing to let me know that I have done something he doesn't like. He is very fair in that, too. Every time I tick Bruce off, I am always wrong and he is always correct.

Bruce Horton is a true mentor to me and others he meets and assists.

Bruce can get a bit unhinged when confronted with an obvious violation of his principles, which are high, moral, and respectful.

Bruce Horton is bald on the top of his head. When you see him you will note that the hair that was once on the top of his head is now in a pony tail on the back of his head. Bruce didn't lose his hair, he just moved it a bit.

Bruce works long hours in service to others. Mr. Horton is involved in many issues that support OUR community's best interests and goals for ourselves, in my opinion.

Bruce Horton is farther along to becoming someone more like John Olguin always is, than almost all of us, including me. Honoring Bruce Horton is not something I think he would ever seek and would probably be embarrassed to receive.

No comments about Bruce Horton could ever be complete without considering his deep bond, friendship, and working abilities he has with another person who is also an officer on the Board of Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council. Best friends can be hard to come by and even harder to keep as the years go by. The buddy team of Bruce Horton and what's his name has been a long and lasting one that has produced a team of friends that is much to be admired.

Of course "what's his name" is John Stinson, but I thought Bruce and John would get a chuckle by reading that last paragraph.

Bruce Horton for the be-more-like-John Olguin Award.

With Mr. Gabriel Rivas and now Mr. Bruce Horton, it looks we have to split the award, in my book.

Thank you Bruce Horton, for being the you that is so special.

1 comment:

Just4fin said...

I couldn't agree with you more.