Spring is in the Air
Well, it's happened again. The holidays are over and a new year has sprung up where the old one used to be. It's a time of promise and possibility as we look forward to what the coming year will bring. Whether laying out your garden or planning your vacation, there is a sense of wonder and excitement around moving forward into the future. Spring brings a time of renewal and energy to our community so strong that, in National City, you can feel it in the air. This is the sixth edition of Your National City News. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
National City said goodbye to former Mayor George Waters earlier this month. Mr. Waters served National City as an elected official for 28 years, both on the City Council (12 years) and as Mayor (16 years).
National City, Chula Vista, and Coronado will be helping athletes reach for the gold in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. These three cities will serve as "South County Host Towns" prior to the competition which takes place in Los Angeles. Host towns are responsible for transportation, accommodations, meals, training facilities and cultural events for 100 Special Olympics World Games delegates from July 21-24, 2015.
Host Town cities will welcome and celebrate their delegations while showcasing what makes their city special. In addition to experiencing a day at one of National City’s beautiful parks, the athletes will have a chance to visit and train in Chula Vista’s Olympic Training Center, South County delegates will participate in beach activities and other fun local attractions during their stay in South County.
Within the past year there have been a rash of copper thefts throughout the county and nationwide. These thefts are due to the rising value of recycled copper and brass. The most common items that have been stolen are the water backflow valves that are on most residential and commercial properties. These valves are usually located on the back of the building making them an easy target for criminals.
One proven way to reduce the possibility of these types of thefts is to devalue the targeted item. A painted piece of copper or brass is worth less at a recycle center because it has to be paint free prior to it being melted down. Although paint is a good deterrent, a better alternative is the use of a commonly sold product that is designed to coat and protect the bed of pickup trucks. The best way to apply these products is to spray directly on the valve or copper part while it is installed and functional. Spray the outside of the valve liberally with the product. Once the valve has been liberally coated turn the valve on and off several times to ensure that the on-off function works. If you apply this product to a valve prior to installation, be sure to cover the open ends of the valve so none of the coating gets inside. These spray on products are commonly available at most home improvement stores and range in price from five dollars to twenty dollars per can.
Firefighter Duron has displayed outstanding job performance and a tireless dedication to duty throughout his employment with the National City Fire Department. On a daily basis Chris is the definition of a dedicated worker. He arrives early and always has a positive “can-do” attitude. As a newer member of the department Firefighter Duron has worked diligently to improve his job knowledge by attending multiple outside training courses and consistently displaying an overall commitment to constant improvement. 
