Published in the September 27 – October 10, 2017 issue of Morgan Hill Life

Steve Rymer

Steve Rymer and his wife, Helene, are packing up and getting ready to say goodbye to Morgan Hill as the city manager since 2013 moves to a new position as the city administrator of Rochester, Minn. A Minnesota native, Rymer came to work for the city of Morgan Hill in April 2006 as the community services director and oversaw recreation services, parks and street maintenance services, fire services, and environmental services. His collaborative leadership style was instrumental in maintaining the nationally recognized partnership with the YMCA of Silicon Valley, enhancing communication with the community, substantially increasing recreation services and cost recovery, and re-establishing the Morgan Hill Fire Department.

We asked him what he would miss the most as he heads to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. He told us it’s the people, including his teammates, the Morgan Hill City Council, and many community members who became his friends.

“Living and working in Morgan Hill has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said. “Our greatest accomplishment during my time as city manager is the development of a high-performing team throughout the entire organization. Collectively, they are committed to teamwork, engaging our community, looking for ways to improve our services, and having fun!”

We wish you the best in your new job, Steve. Don’t forget your friends here in the Golden State as you return to the Gopher State.

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Terry Moriyama

We’ve long known that Terry Moriyama is a true leader in the South Valley. And Monday, Sept. 18, a spotlight was put on her generosity by Cricket Rubino, president of the Leadership Morgan Hill board, when she presented the RE/Max agent with the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award.

A 2004 grad of the Leadership program, Moriyama has served on the boards of the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill, the Community Law Enforcement Foundation, the South County Realtors Alliance, the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, Hometown Holiday for Morgan Hill, the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center and — yes — Leadership Morgan Hill.

Moriyama’s impact goes far beyond Morgan Hill, however. She created Air for Paws, a nonprofit that raises money to give first-responders animal resuscitation. At $100 a kit, Air for Paws has given 1,000 to responders in 43 states and has shipped 420 units for military dog teams in defense of our nation.

“She is the best friend to animals everywhere, and a dear friend to us,” Rubino said. “She represents the ideals and vision of Leadership Morgan Hill in service to community and her daily life.”

We couldn’t agree more.

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Got an extra $5.4 million? The El Toro Brewing Company’s brew pub — owned by Geno and Cindy Acevedo — is for sale. The downtown property is located at Main Avenue and Monterey Road.

“Rare opportunity to own a unique brew pub restaurant facility and downtown development opportunity in the heart of energized downtown Morgan Hill,” reads the real estate listing, which can be found on laurenronan.com/property/ca/95037/morgan-hill/-/17605-monterey-st/58ad17adbb97525a02000001/.

The building, built in 1964, once housed a bank. Before the Acevedo’s purchased the building, it was the Morgan Hill Police Department. In 2007, the Redevelopment Agency loaned the Acevedos $400,000 for construction costs. They were behind on payments to the RDA as of 2011, when the agency was dissolved by the state of California and the loan transferred to state authorities. They invested $1 million in equity and $1.9 million in bank loans to purchase and remodel the building before they acquired the RDA loan.