I read with interest in the Auburn Reporter two letters that appeared Aug. 26. One was written by Mr. Bill Peloza himself about VFW Post 1741’s support for women veterans. The other was a question on Peloza’s capacity to serve the city of Auburn because he is being “spread too thin.”
I’ve recently become a member of VFW’s Auburn Post. I am a U.S. Navy veteran. I believe I am the only member of the Post who is Asian-American. I am originally from the Philippines. I met Bill Peloza when I initiated my VFW local membership. What stood out and impressed me most about this man was his amiable warmth as a person. He made me feel welcome. He personally took it upon himself to process my membership. We communicated several times by phone and through email. He made me feel that my membership is very important. And, I felt his sincerity.
During the first Post meeting that I attended, he introduced me to the members who were there and all of them also welcomed me with warmth. I told Bill that the members of this group are “a great bunch of guys.” During meetings, I noticed that he provides firm and strong leadership. He’s a natural, energetic leader. A go-getter, a type “A” personality, so speak. A personality that a leader must possess.
Our monthly meetings never fail to begin on time and it moves on right along. When he speaks, everybody listen. He talks about serving the community and fellow veterans, raising funds for civic and youth groups, and he proudly shows us letters of appreciations from these groups that the VFW Post 1741 had helped and supported. And because the meetings are always “fun” and brisk, lively and well-participated, the camaraderie among us, veterans, flourished, as well.
As to what the other letter-writer said of him as “serving on 10 different committees not directly connected with the City,” and that because of that “he can’t do justice for the citizens by spreading himself too thin,” is a fallacy, I think. These committees that Bill Peloza serves on are all within the City … and each one of these committees, I believe, endeavors to serve the community in its own unique capacity. So, what’s wrong with getting involved in all of them and in wanting to serve the City in 10 different ways?
As this letter-writer wrote, Bill Peloza “says as a public servant, his passion and challenge is to assist citizens and local businesses with their day-to-day problems and to provide a better quality of life.” Well, more power to Bill, if that’s the case.
His “passion” in serving the community in several different ways, is to me, NOT “self-serving” at all, but a reflection of his love for the city of Auburn and a picture of his dedication to his job as a member of the City Council.
– Jesse Jose
