ART MAYOFF on Tuesday was named Benicia’s Volunteer of the Year by the City Council. Donna Beth Weilenman/Staff
By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter
Art Mayoff, cited as “one of the most dedicated, reliable and enjoyable volunteers,” has been named Benicia’s Ronny Rice Volunteer of the Year, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson announced Tuesday night.
“Art is everywhere,” she said. “Most of you know him by his services.”
This is the second year the award has been bestowed by the city. Its first recipient was Volunteer Fireman Ron Rice, for whom the honor is named.
Mayoff accepted the award, but told the Council that the city’s many other volunteers — whose donated time would have cost the city at least $442,985 had they been paid — “are all Volunteers of the Year.”
A patrol volunteer for Benicia police for nine years, Mayoff also trains patrol volunteers and developed the system by which their hours are tracked.
He’s also been a volunteer with the Benicia Emergency Response Team since it began and is a member of the Benicia Citizen Corps Council, the Benicia Amateur Radio Club and the Benicia Medical Reserve Corps.
His recognition came after the city acknowledged National Volunteers Week, April 15-21, and the Council welcomed city volunteers to stand around an oversized check that represented the monetary equivalent of the 20,739 hours volunteers gave in 2011 in many capacities — including BERT and its associated organizations, the Benicia Public Library, Benicia Police Department, Benicia Fire Department, Parks and Community Services, the City Attorney’s Office and Benicia’s advisory panels.
The proclamation read by the mayor praised Mayoff for his “many, many dedicated years and thousands of volunteer hours not only to the police department but fire department as well.
“He always gives 110 percent of his time and talents to the city. His volunteer service exemplifies ‘Excellent Service.’”
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As a TV News Photojournalist, I have come accross Art in many vulnerable place’s, such as raging grass fire lines, and perimeters around loss of life and limb. I’ve known Art for many years, as I was a repeat customer at his retail business. His compassion to his position, and the public is obvious when I watch people looking for direction, approach him. He always has a solution. The fact that Art has known me for years, does not dissuade him from following his orders, and keeping folks like me where they need to be. I respect this. If every department had an Art or two, I just bet ya, the streets, and neighborhoods might just be a little safer, and feel a little more secure. Benicia has an awesome Police force as it is. Art, and your Volunteers, just enhance the force that much more! Truely a model for others to follow.
And it is people like Art who also inspire others to serve “our town”. It is a big part of what makes us all so fortunate to be here.
Well said. =)
Congrats Art. Well deserved!
Kimble
Art is a good man. We need more people like him.