[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 163 (Tuesday, December 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF JAMES NANTELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor James Nantell. He has served 
for 40 years in the public sector, twelve of them as the City Manager 
for the City of Burlingame. A gifted community leader, there isn't a 
street corner in Burlingame that doesn't have his fingerprints on it.
  Jim became city manager of Burlingame in November of 2000 and my time 
is too short to list all of his accomplishments. At the top of that 
list is the merger of the fire departments of Burlingame and 
Hillsborough to form the Central County Fire Department in 2004. The 
two cities share staff, training and equipment to protect their 
citizens while reducing cost. For the past 15 years Jim has been a 
champion of shared services and he currently chairs the Shared Services 
Initiative of the San Mateo County City Managers Association.
  Much of Jim's work has resulted in very visible improvements in 
Burlingame. For example he facilitated the upgrade to the Burlingame 
Avenue train station, oversaw the approval of the Mills-Peninsula 
Medical Center and the Peninsula Humane Society Center for Compassion, 
obtained federal stimulus funds for street resurfacing projects, 
developed the Burlingame Avenue streetscape concept plan, obtained a 
designation of Burlingame as a ``Tree City USA'' for a 31st consecutive 
year, and implemented the construction of a bicycle and pedestrian 
crossing bridge over U.S. Highway 101.
  Over the last ten years, Jim has overseen the rehabilitation of some 
40 miles of the 100-year-old water and sewer pipeline system in 
Burlingame and the construction of a 1.5 million gallon retention basin 
at the waste water treatment plant.
  Jim has also brought many wonderful celebrations to Burlingame. In 
2008, he worked closely with local officials and community members to 
put on nine flawless Centennial events. Residents can thank him for the 
annual pet parade and employee Halloween costume contest.
  Before Jim brought his energy and talent to Burlingame, he served the 
City of San Mateo for 28 years. He started as assistant recreation 
center director in 1973 and within a year became the director. From 
1975-76 he was the supervisor for athletics and outdoor recreation. 
From 1976-81 he served as the administrative director of athletics, 
aquatics, outdoor recreation and community relations. The following 
four years Jim was the superintendent of recreation and human services. 
From 1985-90 he served as assistant city manager and from 1990-2000 as 
deputy city manager and the interim fire chief from 1995-96.
  Jim has been a board member of the San Mateo Rotary Club, the Lesley 
Foundation, the Strategic Planning Committee for the Peninsula Family 
YMCA, and Our Lady of Angels men's club.
  His career clearly demonstrates his passion for recreation and 
outdoor activities. In his spare time, he has helped coordinate many 
foot races, including the Bay to Breakers race, the Giants Run to Home 
Plate, the San Francisco Zoo Run, and the San Francisco Marathon.
  Jim, a Wisconsin native, graduated with a BA in Psychology from the 
University of Wisconsin-Madison. He earned his M.S. in Parks and 
Recreation Administration from San Francisco State University. He 
attended the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2000.
  Jim married his college sweetheart Christine 42 years ago. They are 
the proud parents of four children--Maddie, Michael, Ashley and Erin--
and grandparents of three grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor James Nantell for his outstanding and storied service to San 
Mateo County. His contributions will continue to benefit residents for 
decades to come.

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