The Maintenance Committee is planning for projects that will stretch well into 2021, but we also feel it is important to reflect on what was accomplished this past year. It cannot be forgot- ten that for our community to continue to operate and function on a daily basis required our own team of essential workers to be here day in and day out. Our staff, led by Facilities Manager George Cooley, not only continued the daily operations but were tasked with enhanced duties mandated by COVID-19 safety protocols enacted by State and County officials. While many think operations got easier during the shutdown, the opposite was the case! Often the Maintenance Staff chose to tackle additional projects that only could be completed while facilities were closed, saving residents further inconvenience in the long term. So, in appreciation, let’s take a few minutes to recognize each member of George’s team and their essential role in our community.
■ Dave Smith, Maintenance Supervisor, supervises staff and is a Certified Commercial Pool Operator in charge of maintaining our beautiful pool facilities. He also does maintenance of all lights—street lights, lanterns, bollards, decorative floodlights—and does concrete repairs, bluff shower maintenance including sand trap.
■ Tom Shimkus takes care of electrical repairs and trouble- shooting, all woodworking-related projects, gate mainte- nance and repairs.
■ Ray Russomanno handles all janitorial work, sanitation of bathrooms and playground equipment, assembly and main- tenance of all the new/existing tables, benches and other equipment. He also performs the annual acid clean of pool deck pavers to remove the buildup of salts and deposits.
■ Manny Pantoja is able to perform many projects and jobs where his 6’7” height is beneficial in getting the job done! As a part-time staff member, his other duties include heavy lifting, concrete removal, cleaning pool glass wall, pressure washing, bluff cleaning, Sunday morning opening procedures normally performed during the week by the full staff.
Let’s give thanks to our Maintenance Team and our whole staff at the Management Office for helping to pre- serve some semblance of normalcy during this crazy year while keeping Niguel Shores the “Extremely Well-Main- tained Community” it is in 2020 and beyond.
Thanks and happy holidays to you to all!
—Geoff Dunlevie
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