General manager Dave Hamilton is retiring after more than three decades at the Optimist. Below he reminisces about the relationships he’s formed over the years and the good times he’s enjoyed. Everyone here at the Optimist will miss Dave and the positivity he brought to work every day.
It’s bittersweet, but it’s time.
After 30+ years at the Optimist, the memories will be cherished but I will miss the day-to-day interaction with the people in the community.
There are many people who have helped make this job worth waking up for every day. The list of thank yous of those who have made it fun, and also taught me along the way, is long and varied. It began with Tom Siba who hired me as the sales manager for the start-up of the South Delta Today back in February of 1989 to the current president of Lower Mainland Publishing Alvin Brouwer, who handed me the reins for the last six years, and each of the publishers in between. They have been more than just my bosses as I have become friends with many of them.
Next thank is to the staff at the Optimist. Most of us have been together for a very long time and they feel like part of a family. I know I will miss the daily banter and they too have been part of my growth in the industry and as a person in one way or another.
There are also a number of others who have been part of the growth of both the Today and Optimist who have moved on that belong on the list of family. The kind of family you don’t see often but still have a great friendship when you do run into them, a friendship built on mutual respect.
It’s been a pleasure and honour to sponsor a number of community events and fundraisers for organizations such as the Delta Hospital Foundation, Delta Chamber of Commerce, Delta Farmers Institute, Delta Firefighters, BC Guide Dogs, Rotary clubs, LBA and BIA plus many other events too numerous to mention. I also had the opportunity to sit on various boards as we tried to make a difference in the community of Delta.
And volunteering is what I will continue to do. A lot of my time will be taken up with Rotary – our club in Tsawwassen as well as working with clubs throughout the province. I’ll try my best to help these clubs “do good in their community and around the world.” I know I’ll have a lot of fun doing it as I work with like-minded people to help achieve their goals.
I will still be seen around. I’m sure I’ll run into people at Thrifty Foods, on the golf course at Beach Grove, riding my bicycle (when the weather is nice) and just being around the community. I look forward to being able to say, “Sure, I have time for a coffee, let’s sit and chat.”
