Citizens Honored with Commemorative Coins

Auburn, Calif. – The Placer County Board of Supervisors honored nine outstanding community activists Tuesday, Nov. 7, presenting them with commemorative coins created for a county citizen-recognition program.  The board created the program in December 2002 to recognize outstanding citizens who have long track records of community service, have performed heroic acts or participated in little-known, but commendable feats.

 Each of the five county supervisors chooses recipients in his district.

Honored Tuesday were:

• Bill Boudier, an advocate for the homeless who has co-founded several organizations, including a homeless-shelter program known as The Gathering Inn;

• Jerry Logan, a distinguished educator who has been a community volunteer since he retired and returned to Lincoln more than 20 years ago;

• Joe Ferreira; a Placer County native who also was recognized for his outstanding career as an educator and work as a community volunteer;

• Dr. Gordon Ainsleigh, a local chiropractor and ultramarathon runner who serves on the Auburn Recreation District’s board of directors;

• Tami Brodnick, a Roseville community activist who works as coordinator of Pride Industry’s Foster Youth Program;

• Cathy Macauley, public relations director for the Roseville Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer on several committees and commissions;

• Larry Jordan, a Foresthill activist who is chairman of the Foresthill Forum and president of the board of directors at the Placer County Visitors Council;

• Bruce and Celia Broadwell, volunteers who have been active in many of Meadow Vista’s community groups.

Auburn businessman Ralph Roper also has been selected to receive a commemorative coin in recognition of his many volunteer projects. Roper was unable to attend the Nov. 7 meeting, so he will receive his award at a future board meeting.
The commemorative coins feature the county seal on one side. On the other side are the word “hero” and the image of an eagle with a star and sun rays in the background.

That second side of the coin was designed by J. Randal Smith, an Auburn native who is a nationally known artist. His design won a competition coordinated by the Arts Council of Placer County.

Background on Tuesday’s recipients

Bill Boudier, District 1

‘For many years, Bill has been an eloquent and passionate voice for our county’s neediest residents,’ said 1st District Supervisor Bill Santucci, the board’s chairman. ‘He’s a visionary who saw what needed to be done, then proceeded to do it. He never let obstacles stand in his way for long, never took no for an answer.’  Organizations that Boudier helped found include the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Roseville, Roseville Home Start, the Lazarus Project, Placer Care Coalition and The Gathering Inn- a program developed by local churches to provide overnight shelter, food and care to the homeless.  After a successful business career, Boudier entered the ministry. He was ordained as a permanent deacon in 1988 and was a member of the pastoral staff of St. Rose Church in Roseville from 1988 to 2005.

Jerry Logan, District 2

Since retiring about 22 years ago, Logan has kept busy with volunteer work, as well as historical research and writing about Western Placer County.  ‘He had an incredible career in public service in education,’ 2nd District Supervisor Robert Weygandt said, noting that Logan taught German and many other subjects during his career.  He also worked as a consultant for the California Department of Education, authored several textbooks and was one of four finalists for California Teacher of the Year in 1973.  Logan also teamed up with friends to write a history of the Lincoln area. ‘It’s incredible reading if you”re from Lincoln and interested in history,’ Supervisor Weygandt said.

Joe Ferreira, District 2

The brother of former Placer County Supervisor Alex Ferreira, Joe Ferreira also had a distinguished career as an educator, earning a doctorate in psychology from Stanford University and serving as an assistant superintendent in the San Juan Unified School District near Sacramento.  ‘For those of you who know Joe, similarly to Jerry (Logan), after his retirement from public service and public education, he has been available to the community to do an incredible array of volunteer things- and remarkably effective,’ Supervisor Weygandt said.  He noted that Ferreira helped found Lincoln’s Lighthouse Counseling and Resource Center, which offers a wide range of medical and mental-health assistance at no cost to community members.

Gordon Ainsleigh, District 3

Third District Supervisor Jim Holmes noted that the Auburn City Council has proclaimed Auburn to be the Endurance Capital of the World. ‘Much of that is due to the efforts of Dr. Ainsleigh,’ Supervisor Holmes said. ‘He is the inventor of the ultramarathon. He’s the dean of trail ultra-running.’ Ainsleigh also has been involved in many community events in Auburn.
 Supervisor Holmes recalled the story of how Ainsleigh conceived of the ultramarathon. About 30 years ago, he planned to ride a horse in the Western States Endurance Ride, a 100-mile horse ride commonly known as the Tevis Cup ride. When his horse came up lame, Ainsleigh decided to run the course instead.’He’s somewhat of a legend in his own time,’ Supervisor Holmes said.

Tami Brodnick, District 4

Brodnick became active in the PTA and school site councils shortly after she and her family moved to Roseville in 1991. She also has worked on the city of Roseville’s Campaign Finance Committee, Community Standards and Visioning Commission and Grants Advisory Commission. At Rocklin High School, she worked in the Workability Program, helping youths with disabilities find jobs.
 ‘Tami has helped countless adults and children to progress in their endeavors and has always done so with a spirit of giving,’ 4th District Supervisor Ted Gaines said. ‘I am pleased to have the honor of awarding Tami Brodnik with a commemorative coin for her continued selfless acts of sacrifice for the betterment of others.’

Cathy Macauley, District 4

Macaulay was recognized for her contributions to improving the quality of life in her community and her many volunteer activities during 19 years as a Placer County resident.  ‘It seems to me that, at almost every event I go to in the Roseville community, Cathy is engaged in volunteering and helping out,’ Supervisor Gaines said.She has served as chairwoman of the city of Roseville’s Grants Advisory Commission, on the board of directors of Roseville Performing Arts, as a member of the Placer County Library Advisory Board and on the steering committee of the Tommy Apostolos Fund, a program that purchases clothing for needy Roseville school children.  Supervisor Gaines noted that Macauley also has won the Roseville Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious Athena Award.

Larry Jordan, District 5

Fifth District Supervisor Bruce Kranz saluted Jordan for being an outstanding volunteer who has given his time, energy and resources to various community groups since he moved to Foresthill in 1990.  ‘Larry has always been there for his community, and that’s why I decided to give him this award,’ Supervisor Kranz said.  Jordan has volunteered for such groups as Native Sons of the Golden West, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Foresthill Divide Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Foresthill Community Services District, California Welcome Center and Foresthill American Legion.  ‘Larry was also on the Foresthill Forum when I took office and I reappointed him,’ Supervisor Kranz said. ‘Recently, his fellow members appointed him to the chairmanship of the Foresthill Forum. I think he does a very good job.

‘Bruce and Celia Broadwell, District 5

‘Mr. and Mrs. Broadwell have been very active community members in Meadow Vista,’ Supervisor Kranz said. ‘Their pride in the community has shown throughout the various projects they have been involved in.’  The couple has been active on the Meadow Vista Municipal Advisory Council, Improvement Association and Design Review Committee.  They have been instrumental in the ongoing construction of the Meadow Vista Community Center. ‘They and a couple of others have been the movers and shakers on it,’ Supervisor Kranz said. The Broadwells also helped secure Meadow Vista Park and establish a branch library in their community. Both participate in several community events and Celia Broadwell keeps busy with the Community Garden Club.