Photo by Samantha Bengtson
Rotary President-elect Erica Padilla-Chavez with Outgoing President Lorena Gonzales
SOLEDAD — Rotarians celebrated outgoing Rotary President Lorena Gonzales and Incoming President Erica Padilla-Chavez on June 21 at A Taste of Pinnacles.
Gonzales served as the president of the Rotary Club for a year, since July 2017.
The role of the president is to lead the weekly meetings, meet with other Rotary clubs, meets with the board and is a commitment. Wednesday evening Gonzales was “kicked out” as president and asked to dress as a diva superhero.
Gonzales said she was hesitant to take on the role of president but had support from her family, her Rotary board and her co-workers at the bank.
As Gonzales’ term comes to an end, Padilla-Chavez starts her term as president with big plans for the upcoming year. She wants to bring a flag pole and signage to Veterans Park behind Frank Ledesma Elementary.
“We always pay homage to the deceased, which we should,” said Padilla-Chavez. “It’s a reverence, and it’s respect.”
Padilla-Chavez also received a suggestion from Mayor and Rotarian Fred Ledesma, who thought those who are living and serving in the military should be recognized as well and honor them with a flag, the current military member’s picture and the Rotary logo.
The goal is to display the honors somewhere in the city with high visibility, such as Front Street, on the poles that line the divide between N. Front and S. Front streets.
