The three-hour celebration kicked off with a ceremony featuring Congressman Steve Knight, Assemblyman Tom Lackey, representatives for Senator Scott Wilk and L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the Palmdale City Council, and local chambers of commerce, who all presented PWD with certificates of recognition. The officials also donated items to a time capsule and helped cut the ribbon to mark the start of PWD’s second century of service.
“The turnout was spectacular,” stated PWD Board President Vincent Dino. “It was an honor to have our distinguished officials join our celebration, and it was wonderful to see all the families enjoying the food and activities. It was quite a success.”
As part of the official ceremony, PWD introduced its mascot, Aquadog, who has undergone a makeover – changing from a white, long furred dog to a brown, floppy ear dog. Aquadog was popular with children at the photo booth. Many children also enjoyed a petting zoo, playing games, and getting temporary tattoos and their faces painted.
For car enthusiasts, there was an antique car show with vehicles from every decade spanning 1910 to 2010. A 1948 Chevy Fleetline Aero Sedan owned by Jessie Ruiz of Palmdale won the Best of Show trophy. Also on display were emergency vehicles from Plant 42 Fire Department, L.A. County Fire Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol. The City of Palmdale, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles, Palmdale Prep Academy and various PWD departments had booths with information and giveaways.
Many attendees went indoors to the PWD Board room to view historical displays and PWD’s new book detailing its first 100 years of service, and take pictures at the photo booth. The event also featured free tacos and ice cream.
As part of its 100th anniversary celebration, PWD has been collecting mementos for a time capsule that will be sealed and opened at its 200th anniversary in the year 2118. Dignitaries on Sunday brought items that included Congressional and state coins, business cards and photos
to donate to the time capsule. Many of the items will be on display at the PWD lobby before the time capsule is officially sealed.
“We have accomplished a lot in our first 100 years of history, despite droughts, the Depression and recessions,” stated PWD General Manager Dennis D. LaMoreaux. “We are optimistic that our second century will be just as successful.”
For more information about PWD, visit www.palmdalewater.org.
[Information via news release from Palmdale Water District.]
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Serena says
Why did Kathy McLaren want to kill jobs in the community she lives in?
IBEW prisoner says
I see Kathy “job killer’ MacClaren acting like she is OK in killing thousands of union brothers jobs by killing a state of the art manufaturing plant in Palmdale. We will never forgive her selfish ways while living high on the hog and traveling all over the world all paid for by her union brothers dues.
Bob says
paid for by her union brothers dues. What did you try to bribe her and she screwed you?.
Union Made says
Kathy ‘Job Killer’ MacLauren killed hundreds of Union jobs when she did Rex’s bidding and killed that manufacturing plant. Rex rewarded her and IBEW with solar Construction jobs which are now destroying the West Valley. Shame on her!