THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING

Louis John Vella

Upon His Retirement After

28 Years of Public Service with

the City of Redwood City

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WHEREAS, Louis John Vella, a native of the Mediterranean island-nation of Malta and the fourth of nine children of Joseph and Rosa Vella, settled in Redwood City, Calif., in 1980 with his new bride Lillian; and

   

WHEREAS, with a civil engineering certificate from Malta’s Poly Technical Institute, Louis worked for the Redwood City Water Department for four years before becoming a civilian employee with the Redwood City Fire Department; and

   

WHEREAS, over the next 24 years, Louis rose to the position of Redwood City fire marshal and the department’s administrative chief; his professionalism, dedication and work ethic earned the respect and confidence of peers and superiors alike, underscored by periodic appointments as interim fire chief when needed; and

   

WHEREAS, in 1984, Louis created the Maltese Cross Foundation of California, which raises money annually to support the Vella-Dankwerth Scholarship fund for Maltese-American youth; Id-Dar tal-Kleru, an assisted living facility in Malta for retired clergy; and Id-Dar tal-Providenza, a home on Malta for the mentally disabled; and

   

WHEREAS, Louis earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Saint Mary’s College, while supporting a family and giving back to his adopted Peninsula community; and

   

WHEREAS, Louis coached boys and girls youth soccer teams, and was a founding player on the Maltese Falcons adult soccer squad; he serves on the board of the Mid-Peninsula Water District and as president of the Belmont Heights Civic Improvement Association.

   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County congratulates Louis John Vella upon his retirement after 28 years of public service with the City of Redwood City. The Board expresses its gratitude and extends to Louis, his wife Lillian, and their children Kenneth and Stefanie, sincere wishes for many more years of continuous peace, health and happiness.

   

Dated: MAY 9, 2009

   
 

SUPERVISORS:

  
   

MARK CHURCH, PRESIDENT

   

CAROLE GROOM

   


RICHARD S. GORDON

   


ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

   


ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

     

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors