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New Santa Cruz Town Clock light dedicated to fallen police
The Surf City Kiwanis Club recently provided the funding and volunteer hours to have a new LED lighting system installed inside the historic clock tower at Water Street and Pacific Avenue. The 50-member nonprofit group dedicated the effort to Santa Cruz police detectives Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker and Elizabeth Butler, who were killed in the line of duty in February 2013.
"Their light will shine to remind us every time we pass by the clock at night," Santa Cruz police Deputy Chief Steve Clark said of the lighting dedication. "The kind and generous hearts in clubs like our Surf City Santa Cruz Kiwanis Club are what makes our community a great place."
The existing fixture on the more than 100-year-old structure was "woefully inadequate," necessitating a complete lighting change and modernization, Kiwanis member Bob DeWitt said.
"Our community services committee decided it would be a worthy project and particularly a way to honor the fallen officers," said DeWitt, a past president. "One of our members is a retired police officer and suggested that this would be a fitting memorial."
On May 29, Kiwanis members met with Police Chief Kevin Vogel and Baker's widow, Kelly Baker, for the dedication ceremony at the tower. Both shared their thanks for the gesture, DeWitt said.
A plaque commemorating the dedication also was installed at the tower.
Kiwanis president Bert Bly said the lighting improvement was one of many efforts the club is involved with to improve the community, whether it be children, seniors or the community. The lighting project ran about $700, in addition to volunteer manpower, Bly said.
"It's a good community project, the way we looked at it," Bly said. "Anything we can do to help the city out or any community groups out, we're happy to do that."
The club meets weekly at 7 a.m. Thursday at the DeLaveaga Golf Course restaurant. Visitors are welcome to attend. More information on the group also is available online at surfcitykiwanis.com or by calling 831-457-2687.
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