HONOR EARNED-City historian Pat Havens may have to clear off some more shelf space. The diligent keeper of Simi's history accepts a Humanitarian Award from Councilmember Michelle Foster, left, during Saturday's second annual Mayor's Dinner held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Upon being handed a Humanitarian Award at last weekend's second annual Mayor's Dinner, city historian Pat Havens was overcome by something more than emotion.

It was the weight of the crystal trophy she had been awarded seconds earlier for her years of tireless work to preserve the history of Simi Valley.

"This thing is heavy," she remarked to a crowd of 200 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, drawing robust laughter.

"I think I might need some help out," Havens said.

Havens and the two other people recognized Saturday evening-Simi Valley Police Department DARE Officer Michelle Bertsch and Free Clinic head attorney Ronald Whiteman-have been doing a lot of helping out the past decade. And though their endeavors are very different, the three honorees share a common thread: a belief in committing to a cause and following through.

DEDICATION REWARDED-Mayor Paul Miller and his wife, Connie, present a Humanitarian Award to Simi Valley DARE Officer Michelle Bertsch. Bertsch has spent the past 10 years bringing the anti-drug program into Simi schools. "Her passion for teaching kids is special," the mayor said. "These are the kinds of people we want to honor-those who've done remarkable things," Mayor Paul Miller said afterward.

Bertsch has worked as a DARE officer for the Simi Valley Police Department since 1996, spending countless hours in fifth and sixthgrade classrooms teaching kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Those who've seen her instruction techniques, say her dedication and belief in the program and what it can accomplish are a cut-above.

"Her passion for teaching kids is just special," Miller said.

For the past two years Bertsch, a mother of two, has served as the tactical officer for the police department's Explorer Academy. She has also participated in the compelling "Every Fifteen Minutes" program at local high schools, trying to reach stubborn teenagers about the dangers of drinking and driving.

SWEET SOUNDS-Jazz singer Barbara Morrison got even the most complacent attendees to clap their hands. "It could just be a job for (my partners and I) going in there, but we truly care about the kids and so we give it our all," said the parttime AYSO soccer coach.

Bertsch, who was accompanied by her father, Bob Miltko, nephew Rob Bertsch and son, Matthew, 13, an eighth-grader at Valley View Middle School, spoke in support for Simi Valley's decision to keep the DARE program. Some other cities have not.

"We're creating a relationship with the youth. Unfortunately at times, kids don't always get the view of police officers we want, having to see us arrest their moms and dads, that's a scary contact," she said. "What we do is a very positive contact with kids."

Ronald Whiteman has never worked or lived in Simi Valley, but his dedication to the community is undeniable.

For the last 29 years he has volunteered twice a month at the Simi Valley Free Clinic, lending his legal skills and expertise to thousands of Simi residents in need of legal help, but without the money to obtain it. As the Free Clinic's director of legal services, he is responsible for recruiting and supervising volunteer professionals in providing legal services to visitors of the clinic.

"When I hear that person say, 'Thank you for being here,' that's what makes my day. That's why I do this," Whiteman said at the podium.

Miller said Whiteman's status as a non-resident is inconsequential.

"This is a guy who for nearly 30 years have volunteered twice a month at the Free Clinic, not only that, but he's basically in charge of the legal program there," Miller said. "This is certainly a man worthy of honor. The fact he doesn't live here isn't that important."

Pat Havens, 76, has dedicated most of her life to making sure Simi's rich history is never forgotten. As the founder of the Simi Valley Historical Society, she's worked for the past 40 years gathering, recording and preserving pieces of the past for future generations.

She called the mayor's Humanitarian Award a "special honor," one she feels is the result of her longheld commitment to a single goal.

"Lots of people in this valley do a very large amount of work," Havens said, "the reason I stand out is I've stayed with this project so long."

The event, which was put on by the Simi Valley Community Foundation, was MC'd by Councilmember Michelle Foster.