City of El Lago

Scenes from the 2009 City Celebration

An island shower blew through El Lago on May 23rd and then cleared just in time for residents to come out to McNair Park for the Annual City Celebration - Island Style! On arrival, residents were greeted by the sounds of island music, the smell of jerk chicken on the grill and the splashing of children and adults alike enjoying the newly remodeled pool. Attendees lunched on pulled pork sandwiches and chips, jerk chicken and Caribbean seafood salad, fried green tomatoes and fresh fruit. For desert, Mayor Emel and Councilman Jeff Tave passed out Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream cups. During the afternoon hours kids bounced from inflatable to water slide and back while others relaxed in and around the pool or played volleyball on the city's new beach volleyball court. As always, we are grateful to the gentlemen of the Clear Lake Masonic Lodge who were such a big help in preparing and serving the food for the event.

In honor of her twelve years of service to the City of El Lago, Saturday May 23, 2009, was declared Natalie Ong Day. A crowd gathered under the pavilion at noon to witness the reading of a proclamation honoring Mrs. Ong and detailing the achievements accomplished during her administration. Natalie Ong served a total of six consecutive terms on the El Lago City Council and two of those years as Mayor Pro Tem. The City has benefited from her contributions and she will be missed by City Council and Staff.

Our thanks go out to everyone who contributed toward making our City's Celebration an enjoyable success so don't forget to say thanks next time you're out to...

Ameriwaste for providing trash can and liners again this year;

Bay Area Meat Market for the fresh fruit

Boondoggles for the Jerk Chicken, Caribbean Seafood Salad and friendly staff that cooked and served

Concrete Raising Corp. for providing the Blue Bell Ice Cream cups;

Mayor Emel and the Classic Café for providing pulled pork, hot dogs and chips;

Valdo's for the fried green tomatoes.

And all those who gave financial contributions which included.

Buccaneer Construction

El Lago Committee

El Lago Estates Civic Corp.

Taylorcrest Community Association

Thank you's also go to Mayor Brad Emel, the members of City Council: Billy Schwander, Amy Carr, John Tully, Cody Taylor and Jeff Tave; and last but not least a special thank you to City Secretary Ann Vernon, City Clerk Kate Parker and Court Administrator Brenda Klingle.

A very big thanks to the City of El Lago Maintenance Team, Felix Marquez and Luis Perez, for all the outstanding jobs they did before, during and after to make sure the celebration was a success.

The pictures below were provided by Clive Taylor and Jim Witherspoon.

Mayor Brad Emel reads proclamation honoring longtime Councilwoman Natalie Ong

Mayor Brad Emel reads a proclamation declaring Saturday, May 23, 2009, Natalie Ong Day in honor of the long serving city councilwoman. From left: Mayor Emel, Councilman Billy Schwander, former Councilwoman and honoree Natalie Ong, City Secretary Ann Vernon, Councilman Jeff Tave and Councilwoman Amy Carr.

Mayor Emel presents gift to Natalie Ong

Mayor Emel presents Natalie with a gift of appreciation. From left: Mayor Emel, former Councilwoman and honoree Natalie Ong, City Secretary Ann Vernon, Councilman Jeff Tave, Court Administrator Brenda Klingle and Councilwoman Amy Carr. Picture courtesy of Jim Witherspoon -- see more here.

The Mayor, Council and City Hall staff share a light-hearted moment during the presentation to Natalie. Picture couresy of Jim Witherspoon -- see more here.

A plaque was presented as a token of appreciation by the Mayor, on behalf of the El Lago Committee, to Gopal and wife Urvashi Savjani for their funding of fencing, shrubbery and lighting for the Reserve on Lakeshore (at the end of Tallowood). That reserve belongs to the El Lago Committee, which is the HOA for sections 1 - 4. The plaque was given to the Savjani's by El Lago Committee members Mark Briggs and Mark Liberty. Picture courtesy of Jim Witherspoon -- see more here.

Great turnout in spite of the early rain