Rancho Cordovan of the Year

If you seek to understand the heart of Rancho Cordova, look no further than Curt Haven. For 25 years, Curt has been where it beats.

Always urging Rancho Cordova to raise standards and be better, Curt carried the heartbeat to the incorporation campaign, where he provided the passion, leadership and tenacity to see it through, despite all odds stacked against success. Rancho Cordova would not be a city today if not for Curt.

Curt retired from the City of Rancho Cordova on Feb. 1 after working for and behalf of citizens for nearly three decades. Over those years, Curt has helped countless individuals and businesses in large and small ways. Nobody deserves a “lifetime of achievement award” more than him.  

Curt has been at the forefront of activities to improve neighborhoods, build business and lift up Rancho Cordova’s image as a resident, as executive director of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, president of the Mills Ranch Homeowners Association, elected member of the Cordova Recreation and Park District Board of Directors, and finally as the first employee of the City of Rancho Cordova.  

We could write a book about Curt’s contributions to Rancho Cordova, but here are a few:

As the Rancho Cordova marketplace tumbled into disarray with the closure of Mather Air Force Base, Curt took on the most thankless job in town, stepping in as the executive director of the RC Chamber of Commerce. He walked up and down Folsom Boulevard meeting with every landowner and shopkeeper, including executives from giants like Raley’s and Auto Zone, in an effort to find solutions to the degradation of our main street. 

At the Chamber, Curt’s fun-loving style helped bring business together if for nothing more than a good time, to share ideas and kindle hope for a brighter future. To big business, small business and the region’s political forces, Curt became the face of Rancho Cordova – positive, energetic, always looking forward, always rallying our town to be better.

As the embers of cityhood began to spark, organizers needed strong leaders to carry the fight who were known to business and the region. Curt was drafted into that role. Bringing along the Chamber, and collaborating with the Cordova Community Council, Curt nailed together a coalition which focused on championing the benefits of incorporation while others concentrated on getting elected to lead the first city council. Once again, Curt’s passion and willingness to stand up to the opposition led Rancho Cordova to a crucial victory, setting us on a course to self-determination and success that continues today.

As Curt’s role in the community changed, he was selected to be the city’s first employee. Clearing off old desks in the tiny Chamber office on Mather Field Road, Curt helped chart the organization of our new city. As it evolved, he was chosen to lead the economic development department. But his love for the neighborhoods drove him to also retain the role of Neighborhood Services director where he interfaced with Rancho Cordovans on everything from dog licenses to code enforcement. Over time he used his influence to promote community dreams ranging from lights in the Cordova Stadium for football games to attracting breweries, to personally fundraising for our symphony. His reach has been broad and deep.

Curt has walked or driven down every street in our city. He has eaten in every restaurant and tipped one back in every bar. And we do mean every bar. He has even performed a marriage or two. A bear hug from Curt could probably cure cancer.

To be a friend of Curt’s is as precious as a rare jewel, because he is wonderful at it. If you are friends, he cares about you, your family and what you are doing this weekend. A mountain of a man, Curt melts into tears when emotions wash over him, and because his feelings run deep, this happens often. Stay tuned, it may happen yet tonight.

Curt has lived a marvelous life and all of us in Rancho Cordova has benefitted from it. He’s like George Bailey from the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. And borrowing from that, we propose a toast:

To Curt – the richest man in town.