The Men’s Club is a great place to make quality friends and learn what is happening in our community and surrounding area. While we can’t meet in our clubhouse at present, we are bringing speakers and presenting candidates for the November 3 election to you via Zoom.
On September 15, we heard from Mike Frost, Gary Newkirk and Benjamin Bebee, candidates for City Council seats in Districts 4 and 5. It was good to hear fresh thoughts and ideas for our terrific city. Candidates differed with views and plans for development, short term renting, and the home- less situation, but all was done with civility and mutual respect. Districts 1, 2 and 3 are not up for election at this time.
This month, on October 6, candidates for South Coast Water Commissioner will share information about clean water and efficient waste water projects that are imperative for Southern California residents. Participating candidates are Rick Erkeneff, Doug Erdman, Wayne Rayfield and Markus Lenger. Numerous projects in the works for clean water include the Doheny Ocean Desalination plant, the Golden Lantern Bottleneck Project, and the Reservoir Rehabilitation Project. Wastewater projects address the Lift Station 2 Force Main, Lift Station 6 Force Main, and Tunnel Stabilization and Sewer Pipeline Replacement. All are important.
October 20 will give us the big picture from Congressional District 49 candidate Bryan Maryott, who addressed us previously when he and Mike Levin were invited to speak. Mike was unable to attend at that time so Bryan addressed us alone. Both candidates have again been invited, with a full hour for each to speak on different days. As of this date, Maryott has agreed to join us, and possibly we can still hear from Levin before the election. Watch your email for further announcements.
The presentations on October 6 and 20 will again be conducted through Zoom. Our President John Yocca will host. To join the Zoom presentation, you can phone (669) 900-6833 or go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87147279881? Meeting ID: 871 4727 9881. Passcode: 730269.
Please bring your questions for our speakers. Your par-ticipation makes for informative and enjoyable meetings.
Meet Club Treasurer Eric Eckes
The first person you probably notice at a Men’s Club gathering is Eric Eckes with his big, welcoming smile. He sets the tone for positive meetings and is efficient beyond belief as our Treasurer with his 21 years of experience as CFO of Pacific Rim Capital. Eric successfully organized our highly successful 2019 Oktoberfest German Dinner and led every- one in a fun-filled night of food, music and dancing. He will head the event again when our facilities are open.
Eric is happily married to Margi, proud of their five kids, and loves dogs. All are often crammed into their golf cart as they warmly interact with the community. The Eckes’ home is impressive, with the original owner tied to the racehorse Seabiscuit. Eric met Margi diving in Laguna Beach where he taught SCUBA part-time. Their passion for diving has taken them to places over most of the world, including Egypt and the Red Sea twice, four times in Indonesia, cave diving in Mexico, great white shark cage diving in Guadalupe, Mexico, and in Tonga to interact with hump-back whales. A very special time was diving Truk Lagoon, in the mid Pacific, where 60 Japanese ships were sunk and 400 aircraft were destroyed during World War II. Eric has explored the ships in the deep lagoon, diving to a depth of 173 feet. Not bad for any SCUBA diver!
Our club always welcomes new members, as all clubs do, so please invite friends to join in. As your VP and Pro- gram Chair, I want to say thanks for the privilege of being part of such an outstanding club.
—C. W. Gruenig
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