In a somber yet respectful mood, the Los Alamitos City Council paid tribute to the late Council member Ron Bates during their September meeting.
Eliminating all but essential business, they instead took turns in a “Moment of Remembrance” reflecting on the service and sudden death of Bates as a wreath occupied his empty chair on the dais.
Bates, 76, died unexpectedly while on a bicycle ride with friends in the city that he so proudly served.
Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink opened the meeting by letting the public know that the September meeting would be different and held in Bates’ memory.
“We’re going to do a little business,” she said, “but we’re going to do a lot more honoring a really great man.”
“I’d first like to pass it on to our other council members, for any comments, memories, just anything, stories would be great,” she said.
First term Council member Jordan Nefulda, who sat next to Bates on the dais, said, “First of all, I just want to offer my deepest console condolences to Ron’s wife, his children, and his family. I know this is a hard time for them. And I just pray for them.”
“As a newcomer to the city council. I didn’t know Ron personally before this, but I’ve sat next to him for two years. I’ve seen him at numerous city events, spoke to him on numerous occasions. And I could just tell you know how much he loved the city, how much he loved to serve, and how much it meant to him,” said Nefulda.
He said Bates’ knowledge of government made his questions sometimes more revealing than the answers or presentations to the council.
“You know, I probably learned more from the questions that he asked than I did from reading a lot of presentations,” he said. “I learned that I could go to him and ask him questions. When I didn’t understand something because of the history that he had,” said Nefulda, an attorney.
“I just want to thank him Ron and his family for his service, his service to the city and just for providing, you know, … kind of like a role model or mentor, for me on the city council and I thank him for that and he surely will be missed.”
Former Mayor and outgoing Council member Mark Chirco was also reflective.
“Obviously, like everyone else, I was devastated to learn of Ron’s passing. Before he rejoined the city council. I didn’t really know Ron. I think I’d met him once, but I really didn’t know him,” said Chirco.
“When he decided to run for city council, you know, I looked up his history and saw that he had a lot of experience, obviously, as a city manager throughout Southern California,” he added.
“And as a council member for, I think, 16 years, for a time mayor of Los Alamitos, and I thought, you know, obviously I was impressed but I also thought ‘oh, hopefully this isn’t somebody that comes on the council and because they’ve got more experience and everybody, you know, tries to control the narrative control the discussions and let people know he knows more than anybody else,’” he confessed.
“Obviously, Ron never did any of that. He was always such a gentleman. He let everyone, even those of us with less experience than him feel valued, and feel like an equal to him,” said Chirco.
“I could always tell Ron was trying to do what was right for the city of Los Alamitos in every aspect, always without question. Every, every, directive, everything he did was always for the benefit of the community and for Los Alamitos,” he added.
Chirco said Bates was principled, he was humble, kind, friendly, considerate, and a true family man who always spoke with such love and respect for his wife, Marilyn,” said Chirco.
“I personally feel fortunate to have been able to get to know him over the last couple of years, as well as Marilyn and I’m honored to have been able to serve with him the city and the community and we owe Ron, a huge debt of gratitude. I’d like to say on behalf of the residents of Los Alamitos, thank you to Ron for all his years of dedicated service. He will be missed,” he said.
Mayor Pro-tem Tanya Doby reached into the annals of literature to praise Bates.
“Whenever I hear someone’s passing, my first thoughts are, how should they be acknowledged? How should they be remembered? What would make them feel honored,” she asked?
“So I went and found a little snippet by someone named Ralph [Waldo] Emerson and it’s called Success. ‘What is success, to laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate the beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded,’” she quoted Emerson.
“And I believe that Ron Bates succeeded at life,” she said.
“I remember his laugh and smile. I remember him speaking kindly to all that he encountered, whether child or adult. I remember the accolades that I have heard regarding his contributions to each city, committee, and council that he passionately served on, and I will remember Ron Bates as a successful man and honor his memory as such.”
The Mayor honored Bates’ long history of public service as well.
“When Ron first decided that he was going to run for office again, he had more energy than most 20-year-olds. He was so excited to come back on council. Just with a whole new energy and curiosity about making his city the best that it could be,” said Hasselbrink.
“With over 50 years of public service, Ron’s commitment and dedication to public service was truly unmatched. He was highly respected in city management circles, having managed the cities of Buena Park, Southgate, Pico Rivera, La Habra Heights before transitioning to the private sector,” she said.
Hasselbrink said Bates also taught public finance and Public Works Administration at Cal State, Long Beach.
“He loved teaching his college students and getting them excited about a life of public service. Ron then decided to move to the other side of the dais by serving on the city council from 1988 to 2004,” she said, serving the city as an elected official for 16 years.
During his career, Hasselbrink served as Los Alamitos Mayor in 1992, 1993, 1998, and in 2002. Bates was instrumental in forming the partnership with Joint Forces Training Base to bring the US Women’s water polo team to Los Alamitos, the mayor