At the Vista City Council meeting on Tuesday October 22, 2019, Mayor Judy Ritter and the City Council honored George R. Solano for forty years of dedicated service to the City of Vista.
They declared October 29, 2019 as George R. Solano Day.
George was hired on October 29, 1979 as a Maintenance Worker in the Public Works Department. In July 1983 he was promoted to Maintenance Lead Worker; he was reclassified to Wastewater Supervisor in July 1984 and reclassified again to Wastewater Foreman in January 1986. In July 1994 he was promoted to Wastewater Division Supervisor, and in March 2009, George transferred to his current position as the Fleet/Fire Maintenance Division Supervisor.
As George progressed through the ranks of the Vista Public Works Department, he had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects throughout the community. As early as 1980 he was being recognized by City leadership for his outstanding performance and work ethic. As he promoted up the chain, George continued to successfully perform maintenance and emergency work on both public and private sewer lines, and was always willing to lend a hand to ensure that the City’s residents and businesses received excellent service.
George also served for many years as the Public Works Department Safety Coordinator, overseeing all aspects of the Department’s Safety, Training, and Compliance Program. Through his dedication and technical expertise, the Public Works Department has maintained a model compliance program.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, George was part of one of the first teams, Urban Search and Rescue California – Task Force 8, that traveled from San Diego to New York City to assist in the rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. George coordinated the removal of tons of debris left behind in the wake of the terrorist attacks.
Following Task Force 8’s return to San Diego, George received commendation by the City of San Diego’s Fire Chief Jeff Bowman, for serving as a member of the Task Force, which was selected to receive the Unit Exceptional Performance Citation, an award established to recognize heroic, meritorious, or outstanding actions. During the Great Recession, George was called upon to take a new role in the City transferring from the Wastewater Division to the Fleet/Fire Maintenance Division. George took on this new role with enthusiasm and positivity, transforming the Division into an efficient, effective, internal service provider that all City employees can count on.
While performing the duties as the Fleet/Fire Supervisor, George worked closely with the Vista Fire Department to ensure the fire apparatus and emergency vehicle fleet were ready to meet the demands of the department. In addition to ensuring the readiness of front line and reserve vehicles, George ensured his technicians were credentialed as Certified Fire Mechanics which qualified them to deploy in support of wild land firefighting efforts across the state.
In addition to his formal duties, George has also taken on many informal roles as well. George has served as a mentor for personnel, providing support and guidance to many of the people under his purview, and taking great pride as they progressed in their careers. Admired by those around him, his impact on the Public Works employees has been significant over the last four decades.
George has been recognized as a finalist for the City’s Manager of the Year award on six occasions. Additionally, he has received numerous Letters of Appreciation for assisting with a variety of projects, such as his outstanding instructional classes, exceptional storm drain replacements, leadership organizing Public Works holiday food drives, and clearing blocked sewer laterals throughout the City. George and his sewer camera crew reliably resolved many system emergencies to the satisfaction of residents. One of the most memorable letters of appreciation came in 1998, after George and his crew retrieved a wedding ring that had been flushed down a toilet. George Solano’s professionalism, integrity, and commitment to public service are unmatched. He has faithfully served the City of Vista, its residents and businesses for the past 40 years. His commitment to the City, the community and his colleagues is irreplaceable, and he will be sorely missed by all.
The Mayor and members of the Vista City Council offer their sincere appreciation to George Solano for his dedication and 40 years of service to the City of Vista and hereby proclaim Tuesday, October 29, 2019 as:
“George R. Solano Day in the City of Vista”.
