During my senior year of college at the University of Colorado, my professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a hard-working student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the man who mows the grass outside our classroom?”
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the man riding his mowing tractor several times as I gawked out the window during class. He was tall, dark-haired and in his 50s, but how would I know his name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. “Absolutely,” said my professor. “In the years after graduation, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello’!” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned his name was Frank.
Which brings me to the intention of this letter. What is the name of the City of Malibu employee who does such a wonderful job keeping the Malibu Bluff’s Park unsoiled and shipshape? The maintenance man who takes additional time greeting Malibuites and visitors as he works adjusting the sprinklers, fixing a shattered tree branch or picking up a wind blown empty soda can. The question is so extremely simple! For the thousands of kids and their parents who use the park for baseball and soccer, what is his name? For those of you who visit the Michael Landon Center, what is his name? I took the time to find out.
Hello and thank you David Fant for the miracles you achieve at our City of Malibu parks.
And that is all I have to say.
Tom Fakehany