shops , catch a movie and grab a bite to eat .
“ Edith Ramirez and I had talked about the idea of parklets earlier , and once again , she helped the Placemaking Committee to make this happen . I was delighted that passersby stopped and asked us questions literally as we built the parklets . It ’ s been a great learning experience for all of us .”
McKay also manages to find time to contribute a column in the Morgan Hill Times .
“ I am involved in a number of organizations and attend a lot of meetings that many people in town don ’ t have time to attend . I do a lot of listening , and there are many productive efforts happening in Morgan Hill . We are fortunate to have community members willing to give their time and money to improve things . The column gives me an opportunity to share positive stories about what makes this such a great little city to live in .”
McKay says the Tourism Alliance continues to move forward with its vision , including a collaboration with the Morgan Hill Cycling Alliance on a plan to provide an improved riding experience for cyclists .
Clearly , McKay has other ideas percolating , and he has found Morgan Hill to be a place where new ideas are welcomed . He is quick to mention names of the many people that he says make Morgan Hill such a strong community , and more self-effacing when it comes to his own role .
“ I ’ m a master of the obvious ,” said McKay . “ Often , it ’ s a matter of listening to people , learning how things work and who can get them done , and starting the conversation . Then it comes down to working with people who can play well together and who will see things through … and we ’ ve got those kinds of people in Morgan Hill .”
McKay and his wife Michelle also support Morgan Hill ’ s Wildlife Education and Rescue Center ( WERC ) and the city ’ s Community Law Enforcement Foundation ( CLEF ). Michelle is a long-time employee of Silicon Valley Bank , where she is a senior global treasury advisor and manager . She is also a board member with the Morgan Hill Community Foundation .
When the McKay ’ s aren ’ t engaged in work and community activities , they like to take an occasional cruise on their motorcycles , do a little local wine tasting with friends , or take off with their dogs in their van for a road trip to parts unknown .
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