Travis County Commssioners Court
December 17, 2002
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Item 6
Number 6 is to approve a resolution recognizing juanita alvarado vargas for her many years of service to Travis County and its residents. How are you all doing? Good morning. Did you all bring [inaudible]?
>> no.
>> it says whereas for over 21 years juanita alvarado vargas has served the residents of Travis County throughout her career in the area of social services; whereas since her hiring as a temporary intake assistant in July of 1981 her work as a medical assistance program caseworker and counselor supervisor of the intake of clerks from 1981 and 1987 and as the supervisors of the palm square center she has clearly demonstrated her commitment and dedication to the community and its residents. Whereas juanita, an active member of the downtown cluster since its inspection, has worked to forge an innovative partnership between caritas and Travis County. As a member of the local fema board she has played an important role with public and private entities for the benefit of the community. Whereas her accomplishments are shared with peter, her husband, and marissa, he daughter, without whose love and devotion she may not have percent veered. Whereas her hard work and leadership is appreciated by those whose lives she has touched and whereas it is appropriate that we take this opportunity to honor juanita alvarado vargas on the occasion of her retirement and know that her contributions will remain a part of Travis County for years to come. Now therefore be it resolved that we the Travis County commissioners court do hereby extend special thanks to juanita vargas for her years of dedicated service to Travis County and extend best wishes to her in all future endeavors and I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> good morning, judge. I would just like to publicly thank juanita for her years of public service. After looking at her various positions I understand now why she knows more about our grant rules and policies than probably anybody else. Juanita also, being in the position of running palm square for 15 years, has been responsible for coordinating services for probably more than half of the people that we've seen over the last 15 years because of just the sheer volume of palm square which sees about 50% of the clients that we serve in Travis County. I just want to thank juanita for her years of dedicated service. She is going to be missed. We had a little gathering yesterday where her staff was lamenting her departure, but my words to her are to really enjoy her retirement. But she tells me that she plans to start working more closely with the church doing the same kind of work. [laughter]
>> is that your daughter?
>> yes.
>> I see the resemblance. Wow like to come have a seat, let all your friends see you? [laughter].
>> the only thing that I would add, judge, commissioners, is that many people who work in the basic needs area pretty much associate our programs with the service that they've received primarily from juanita and her shop. And so she is -- we may find someone to take her spot, but we certainly won't find anyone to take her place in terms of the work that she has contributed to this county in the basic needs area.
>> and I just want to say thank you to the court for your continued support. Of course, without your support, we would not have been able to serve as many people as we've served over the years. As steven mentioned, our folks at palm square have been very grateful to you for your support and I thank you for the opportunity for working with Travis County.
>> we appreciate your hard work. It's an area where it can be heart-wrenching at times, but fulfilling also. Opportunity to do a whole lot of good for some folk. And I'm glad to hear you will be working with some of the faith-based entities in our community and to keep you up and out. So you've had a chance to interact over the last 12 or 13 years and it's all been real positive and I appreciate that.
>> I just wanted to add i've enjoyed working with her a great deal. She has worked with things like indigent burial policies and handling of individual requests and has maintained contact with me and not through me so much as the enemy but as let me help her in some ways accomplish the things that needed to be done in a way that fit within the court's policies and within the law, and yet still with a great deal of compassion, I think, dealt with every individual that came to her with any kind of need that they had. And I will really miss being able to work with her also.
>> I guess it's quite appropriate that five minutes ago don wheeler walked in and gives me a diagram of the international cemetery where we're looking for more space since juanita has been basically running that program for the last 15 years.
>> some members of the court have been invited to your retirement party. Some of us will see you later this week.
>> oh, okay. [laughter]
>> I think you missed that. That was yesterday.
>> the retirement party was yesterday?
>> yeah, it was.
>> it's the thought that counts. Thank you.
>> I was looking forward to cooking the punch. [laughter]
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thank you, juanita.
>> thank you for your service. [applause]
>> this is our idea of a gift certificate to foleys.
>> thank you.
>> thank you very much.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 2, 2003 10:25 AM