Dick Thilken Continues as Head of Julian Chamber of Commerce

Dan Manley, Dianne Jacob, Paul Tullius, Betty Birdsell, Julie Degenfelder, David Cole and Wayne Moretti.

By Ruth Lepper

Dick Thilken will continue as president of the Julian Chamber of Commerce for the third year. He was installed by county Supervisor Dianne Jacob Feb. 11 at the annual installation dinner.

Thilken is joined on the board of directors by vice president Mike Menghini, secretary Betty Birdsell, treasurer Paul Tullius and directors Kathy Kendall Sanchez, Dan Manley, Julie Degenfelder, Wayne Moretti and David Cole.

Thilken presented several certificates of appreciation to retiring director Bob Stuart, who has served several terms on the chamber board. He also honored Vee Lumpkin for her work with the holiday food-distribution program, Mable Carlson for her many years as curator of the Pioneer Museum and several volunteers who decorated the town for Country Christmas.

Kathy Kendell, Dick Thilken President, Michael Menghini, Dan Manley and Dianne Jacob. Photos by Carol Kinney

Thilken talked of the “high points and low points” of the past year, praising the many volunteers who stepped forward after the Cedar fire in 2003.

“Much remains to be done to completely recover, but we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.

Albe and Tori Stark, Ruth Lepper and Tracy Turner.

Jacob talked about the highlights of the past year from the county’s standpoint. She told the residents to “never give up” on Jess Martin Park, at the intersection of state Routes 78 and 79 in Julian.

“I am committed to making Jess Martin Park a first-class park for the kids and those who want to enjoy that park,” she said.

Permit applications have been filed for drilling a well in the park and should be ready to go within three weeks, she said. The county also has applied for a state grant to install artificial turf there, she said.

Christy Connell of Julian Cafe catered the installation dinner.

The Julian-Cuyamaca area is lagging behind other areas in recovering after the 2003 Cedar fire. So far, 23 homes have been completed and 137 are in the process of rebuilding, leaving 300 homes destroyed by fire in this area that have not had any committals made to the county, she said.

“You never will get 100 percent,” she said. “Some people chose not to rebuild.”

The supervisor said she will look into the tree-removal program the county has undertaken for the fire-scarred areas.

Amber Ward and Jesse Cruz with daughter Donna.

“Trees are tagged but nothing’s being done,” she said. “I intend to find out why.”

The county has earmarked $45 million to clear out dead trees and all of that money has not been spent, she added.

Work is continuing to combine all fire departments in the unincorporated areas, such as Julian, into one agency. Plans are under way for evacuation programs for the communities.

Jacob also addressed the possibility of violent sexual predators being released from prison and returned to communities where they previously had lived. There are 63 on the parole list for San Diego County, she said.

Bobbie Zane with Eleanor Burns and Brian Steutel.

She pointed out that there are three registered sex offenders living in Julian and two in Santa Ysabel.

Cowboy poet Bob Dummitt recited humorous poems that went along with the theme of the installation ceremony, “Old Time Julian.” The lower level of the town hall was decorated to match the theme, with a Western dinner served in pie pans, catered by Julian Cafe.

Photos by Carol Kinney