Former San Carlos Mayor Don Eaton was named San Carlos Citizen of the Year for his service to the community spanning his 36-year residency. His selection was obvious as his own words exemplify a citizen of the year: "I believe that it is our duty to leave this community better than we found it."
While noting his service as Mayor and his 15 years on the San Carlos City Council, Eaton was also honored for his far-reaching volunteer efforts.
Eaton currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hiller Aviation Museum, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, the Oversight Board to the Successor Agency of the Former San Carlos Redevelopment Agency and the County Civil Service Commission.
He is a two-time Chairman of the San Carlos Planning Commission, served twice on the South County Fire Authority Board and was a member of the South Bayside Systems Authority (SBSA) Board of Directors.
In past years Eaton acted as co-chair of Measure D, a ballot measure that saw the construction and completion of the Holly Street grade separation in San Carlos.
Eaton also was co-negotiator and chief spokesperson for the City in the successful annexation of a majority of the land in the Harbor Industrial Area (HIA) to San Carlos, and the former representative to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) selected by the Mayors in San Mateo County.
A Vietnam veteran, he brought a traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial to San Carlos. He founded the San Carlos Week of the Family which continues today, some 14 years later.
Eaton and his wife, Glenna, raised four children in San Carlos where he is an active church member and a former Boy Scout leader. An Eagle Scout himself, Eaton serves on the Board of Directors and is a Past President of the Pacific Skyline Boy Scout Council.
Eaton will be honored at the Annual Recognition Gala at the Hotel Sofitel San Francisco Bay on January 22nd. Visit the San Carlos Chamer of Commerce web site at www.sancarloschamber.org for tickets and more information.
