ORANGE COVE – The city of Orange Cove recently said a formal farewell to one of its most tenured and knowledgeable employees.
The Orange Cove City Council, alongside current and former staff and dozens of residents, celebrated the experience of now-retired public works employee Alfred Angulo on Feb. 25. In recognition of Angulo’s years of hard work, the council hosted its meeting from the Eduardo “Lalo” Espinoza Senior Citizen Center and provided refreshments as Angulo was presented with the key to the city.
“I thank the city for putting up with me, and I learned a lot,” Angulo said. “I enjoyed working alongside everybody here, and I really miss it.”
Council members recognized Angulo for his dedication to the community, thanking him for all that he gave to Orange Cove. Mayor pro tem Gilbert Garcia said Angulo has done so much for Orange Cove, he deserved more than a speech.
Councilmember Esperanza Rodriguez, who is Angulo’s sister, thanked Angulo for being a good role model.
“His work ethic has really rubbed off on us, and thank you for everything you’ve done for the city,” Rodriguez said. “You were always out there on the look out, even when you weren’t on call.”
City Manager Sam Escobar recalled working with Angulo when the city experienced flooding, noting that Angulo was always there no matter what was happening.
“We have the myth, the legend, Mr. Alfred Angulo in our presence, and we are happy to be able to provide this ceremony for him; (it’s) well deserved,” Escobar said.
One of Angulo’s daughters remembered how she would have to drive around the city looking for Angulo in manholes when he wasn’t supposed to be straining himself due to health issues, because that is how strongwilled he is.
Public Works Director Joe Estrada said being a student of Angulo’s was a blessing for him and his career path. He added that Angulo taught him tricks and trades of the public utilities field that Estrada uses up to this day.
“And when I get to show those skills off and people ask me where I learned that from, your name comes up,” Estrada said to Angulo.
Estrada told a story to illustrate Angulo’s wealth of knowledge, remembering how he went out on a call to identify where a city pipeline was located. A contractor asked Estrada how he knew where the pipeline was, and Estrada responded to say that his geographical information system (GIS) told him.
“He says, ‘Really, what software do you use?’ And I looked at him and I said, ‘His name’s Alfred Angulo,’” Estrada said.
