Former Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy, who loves all things
western, will be the guest of honor at a
”
boots and tux
”
tribute dinner for his years of community service and to raise
money for the Leadership Morgan Hill program, established in 1995
to provide community leadership classes and service
opportunities.
Morgan Hill – Former Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy, who loves all things western, will be the guest of honor at a “boots and tux” tribute dinner for his years of community service and to raise money for the Leadership Morgan Hill program, established in 1995 to provide community leadership classes and service opportunities.
The event takes place from 4:30 to 9:30pm, Aug. 12 at Guglielmo Winery, 1480 East Main Ave.
Kennedy will receive the program’s Leadership Excellence Award for his community service, including five two-year terms as mayor, three four-year terms on the Morgan Hill Planning Commission, two terms on the General Plan Update Committee and member of the Morgan Hill City Council. Additionally, he is past chairman of South County Regional Wastewater Authority, served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Valley Transportation Authority and is a past president of the Santa Clara County Cities Association.
“I’m honored to be receiving the award,” Kennedy said modestly when reached by phone Monday. “Leadership Morgan Hill is a wonderful program that’s created a lot of new leaders, and I’m happy to do anything I can to help them in their fundraising efforts.”
Kennedy focussed his public service on helping Morgan Hill transition from a small agricultural community to one that maintains it’s rural feel while providing a full range of services for its citizens.
His vision helped pave the way for the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, the Centennial Recreation Center, the Aquatics Center, a new library and several new infrastructure projects.
Kennedy is credited by many for shepherding in an era of collaboration and grace at City Hall after some rough periods in the 1990s.
Voters recalled three council members in 1992 who established an unpopular utility tax, and in 1996 voters passed a measure to make the mayor’s office a directly elected position after the council bitterly disagreed on who should be picked to serve.
“He’s a good listener and a consensus builder,” said Roger Knopf, president of Leadership Morgan Hill’s 15-person board, and a past winner of the award. “He includes as many people as he can in getting to the resolution to an issue. We all respect his commitment, all those years he gave to the planning commission and the council.”
Leadership Morgan Hill, organized in 1995, is a leadership education and development program to create and inspire the future leaders of Morgan Hill. Its mission is to provide insight and tools that enable graduates to give back to the community through service.
To date, nearly 170 students have graduated from the annual, nine-month program and many now hold seats of influence in the community in government, on non-profit boards and as local business executives and entrepreneurs.
The dinner will raise money for Leadership Morgan Hill’s program. While tuition for the class is $1,050, the cost of the class is about $2,500 per student.
The organization relies on fundraising to make up the difference, and to provide scholarships to qualified applicants who lack the financial means to participate.
A panel of community leaders and former award winners chose to honor Kennedy.
The event will include a reception, dinner, musical tribute and silent auction, all centered on a Western theme. The event is chaired by Cricket Rubino and Stacy Camiel.
Tickets for the tribute are $110 and available at www.leadershipmorganhill.org or by calling (408) 778-7211.Â
