David Schwake lauded for service to city

I just appreciate the opportunity you gave me to do community service. I’m not going anywhere. It’s kind of like when I retired from the school, I got busier.”

David Schwake

By Kelly O’Sullivan
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

It wasn’t quite the send-off he would have received if the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t limiting in-person gatherings, but outgoing Recreation and Public Grounds Commission member David Schwake looked pretty tickled when Mayor Thomas L. Schoaf and the Litchfield Park City Council recognized him for 17 years of service.

Mr. Schwake, who joined the commission in 2003, resigned in October. Mr. Schoaf presented him with a certificate of recognition Nov. 18 during the council’s virtual regular meeting.

“If we were meeting in normal circumstance, we would have a nice plaque for you to come up and accept, and you would have your picture taken with the mayor ... I’m sorry that’s not possible tonight,” Mr. Schoaf said, as a smiling Mr. Schwake watched and listened on Zoom.

“Mr. Schwake has been a very important part of our community for decades, and we appreciate his efforts on the RPG Commission as well as his efforts in school nutrition through our elementary school, and efforts in Kiwanis and his efforts ... I can keep on listing. They go on forever,” Mr. Schoaf said. “So David, thank you for all of your contributions to our community and thanks, specifically, for your time on the RPG.”

READ: Kiwanis Club donated $10,000 for Litchfield Park Rec Center resurfacing project

When it was his turn to speak, Mr. Schwake thanked the mayor, council and city staff.

“I just appreciate the opportunity you gave me to do community service. I’m not going anywhere. It’s kind of like when I retired from the school, I got busier,” he said. “I keep thinking I have to go back to work in order to have some time off. It’s great to live in such a wonderful community. It reminds me of the community I grew up with ... it’s just great to be in a small-town community even though we live next to one of the biggest cities in the nation.”

Mr. Schwake will continue his work with Kiwanis Club of Litchfield, which supports numerous community activities and projects by donating time and money.

“If anybody has anything I can help with or that the Kiwanis can help you with ...” he said. “I appreciate the certificate and the recognition. Thank you.”

Kelly O’Sullivan can be reached at kosullivan@newszap.com or 760-963-1697.