Maricopa Optimists install new officers and directors; Harold Klepka named president

The Maricopa Optimist Club, which has been in town for 21 years this month, held a dinner meeting Tuesday evening at the Maricopa Elementary School cafeteria. Installation of new officers and directors for the 2005-06 year as well as the induction of one new member took place prior to the meal.

District 5 governor Jim Peckny was on hand for the event. “I have a special place in my heart for this club,” remarked Peckny. “This is an exciting time. It’s the beginning of the new Optimist year, which starts in October. We can look to the past and see the great things we’ve accomplished and look to the future to see the great things we will accomplish.”

Peckny inducted Lucy Cisneros, the newest member, into the club. “It’s always an honor to induct a new member,” he said. “This is the beginning of a fun time for you since this club does so many good things,” he told Cisneros.

Jim Peckny inducts Lucy Cisneros to membership in the Maricopa Optimist Club.

Locally, the Maricopa Optimist Club has 34 members. Outgoing president Grace Gomez has mentored 10 of them. Six new members have joined in the past year. They include Cisneros, Renate Chamberlain, Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Officer Mike Minter, Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Roger Vanderpool and Chief Deputy Jerald Monahan.

District 5 currently has 1,000 members for the first time in at least 10 years. According to Peckny, “Statistically we can serve 30 more kids for every member we bring in.” Assisting him at the district level will be the Maricopa Optimist Club’s own Ted Ledbetter, who will serve as lieutenant governor.

District 5 governor Jim Peckny and lieutenant governor Ted Ledbetter.

New officers of the Maricopa Optimist Club are: president Harold Klepka, vice-president Kathy Klepka, second vice-president Mike Minter, secretary Marie Murray and treasurer James Claxton.

The board of directors will include Gomez, Ledbetter, Millie Fields and Sergio Gomez.

New officers and directors (left to right) Harold Klepka, Kathy Klepka, Ted Ledbetter, Marie Murray, James Claxton, Sergio Gomez and Grace Gomez (in wheelchair recovering from foot surgery). Not pictured are Millie Fields and Mike Minter.

Local Optimists are dedicated to sponsoring projects for the youth of Maricopa. They hold an Easter egg hunt at Rotary Park every year and an annual bicycle safety check. Recently they were in front of Bashas’ all weekend, collecting money to be distributed through the Salvation Army for Hurricane Katrina victims (see related story).

In early June the club recognized law enforcement officers and firemen at a “respect for law” appreciation event. Youth Appreciation Night is scheduled for November 10.

Recently the group collected teddy bears, which will be delivered to the Maricopa Fire Department. Local firefighters asked for the bears to comfort frightened children who are involved in response incidents.

Some of the teddy bears designated for the Maricopa Fire Department to give to frightened children.

Each new club member promises “to develop optimism as a philosophy of life.” Clubs are autonomous and have the flexibility to serve the community’s young people in any way members see fit. Optimists have been “bringing out the best in kids” worldwide since 1919. Over 100,000 members in 3,200 clubs commit themselves to an optimistic view of life.

“We’ve got a great club, and we’ve got great things going–because we’re optimists,” explained Grace Gomez. Maricopa Optimists meet every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. For membership information, contact Gomez at (520) 568-9407.