Community support for law and order (no, not the TV show) brought together about 200 people for a Police Council-sponsored fundraiser for the Santa Maria Police Department.
This year’s Police Council event was held on Monday, June 6, at the Santa Maria Country Club and was a huge and pleasant surprise for its organizers. Read more about why, further on down.
The event was advertised as the eighth annual Golf Tournament-Comedy Night.
During the afternoon, there were surely a lot of laughs among the foursomes on the golf course, but the real comedy and waves of belly laughs occurred with the after-dinner appearance of Ralph Harris, a Los Angeles-based performer.
You can take this guy anywhere. His act was NOT laced with words that make you blanch if you are sitting next to your great-aunt Blanche. This guy dishes out a lot of funny stuff without a trace of vulgarity.
In the audience were Santa Maria Police Chief Ralph Martin and a cadre of cops looking spiffy in their blue uniforms. The program officially began with the entrance of a police honor guard carrying flags.
Now, back to why this event was a surprise for its organizers. It was, according to a very reliable source, the first time that they have had a full house, maximum capacity of 144 golfers participating. The dining room was packed for the dinner and entertainment—they could not have fit in one more person, no matter how skinny he or she was. This has become a super popular event.
And, they raised an awful lot of money. More than last year and more than the year before that.
Why does SMPD need more money? Well, for starters, the city budget does not cover everything that a police department’s heart desires. The Police Council pays for safety materials and equipment that are not doable in the department’s operating budget: things like special helmets, K-9 dog necessities, and night-vision goggles.
So does the SMPD love the Santa Maria Police Council? One would think so.
Among those enjoying the evening were Sheriff Bill Brown, City Manager Rick Haydon, City Councilman Bob Orach, and past Police Council President Jerry Schmidt.
Doug and Terri Lee Coleman, who have been involved with the Police Council from the get-go, were on hand.
Gene Martinez and Deborah Whitford-Martinez, Debbie Gorbell, and Brook Wise were in the crowd, as were Judy and Hardy Hearn, Blanche and Burt Fugate, and Dan and Peggy Blough.
Current council President Harold Goodman made welcoming remarks. Pastor Rick Bloom gave the before-dinner invocation.
The silent auction included several tables of nifty items. The live auction included temptations like a beef Wellington dinner for 12 cooked by none other than City Councilwoman Etta Waterfield and donated by Etta and her husband, Buck. The Waterfields are accomplished and gracious hosts. That should be one awesome dinner.
Etta is also the executive director of the Police Council.
Auctioned off as well in the live auction were a thousand rounds of Federal American Eagle ammo, two rifles, a shotgun, and something that looked to me like a pistol.
Membership in the Police Council is open to anyone who wants to pony up $200 ($250 for a couple) to belong.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Jun 23-30, 2016.