HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution - 03-17- 20030528 - Don Weden Retirement RISOLUI'ION No. 03-17
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
HONORING AND CONGRATULATING DON WEDEN
UPON If is RETIRENIENT FROM SANTA CLARA COUNTY
WHERF,tS,the success of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is tic result of tireless effort by its
staff,by its Board of Directors, and by some kcy supporters and individuals who share the District's ideals of open space
preservation;and
WiiEREA.&one such individual, Mr. Don Weden, in both his professional and personal capacities,has
repeatedly shown a sincere dedication and commitment to open spac;c preservation, and for over throe decades has
contributed greatly to the success of the District;and
Wm"Rms,,as a long-haired,bell-bottom wearing,mutton-chop-sideburn faced young man in 1969, Don came
to California and became a planner with Santa Clara County,missing the"Summer of Lovc"by a mere two years,and no
doubt with the hope that his love beads and Nehru jacket would smooth his transition to California from the great State of
Minnesota;and
WHEREAS,while his garb and hip demeanor may or may not have impressed County supervisors of the day,
they did help him get into several fundraisers held in the early 1970's to assist in the formation of the District;and
WHEREAS,for the next three decades and more, Don has been an ardent supporter of the District,and through
his position with the County has helped formulate and implement a great number of policies and plans which have been not
only consistent with but also very beneficial to the District,and
W11EREAs,most notably, Don worked on the very first ivfaster Plan for the District, an indispensable guide to
open space priorities which helped the District to gain credibility and direction in its land preservation efforts; and
WwwAs,of further note, as the key staff person on the County's Trails and Pathways Committee, Don
developed the first County-wide alignment plan for the Bay Area Ridge Trail,outlining its course through existing i,nd
future parks and open space areas,with astonishing foresight and wisdom;and
WHEREAS,Don worked diligently with several west valley cities to develop and approve long-term urban
growth boundaries,consistent with District preservation goals;and
WHEREAS,in 1995 Don managed Santa Clara County's most recent comprehensive update of its general plan,
including elements rocogniring growth boundaries, affirming that urbanization would be kept out of the hills,and
recognizing that the District was the key agency involved in open space preservation and management.
Now,Ti1FRFFORF.,BE I'r R&v)i.VFt)that the Board of Diroctors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District hereby
honors and congratulates Mr. Don Wedcn upon his retirement from the position of Principal Planner with Santa Clara
County,offers'its sincere gratitude for the standard of excellence he has always exhibited in his work with the County and
with the District,thanks him for his steadfast support of the District, for his dedication to open space preservation,and for
his 34 years of projects and partnerships with the District,and wishes him well as he retires and even perhaps grows his
hair long once again.
Adopted by the Board o rectors
May 28, 2003