$2 million plus! Grant writing
wizard Canniff honored by City Council
August 21, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
She’s a grant writing whiz that volunteers her time to help Santa Paula public safety secure additional funding and Monday evening Marleen Canniff was lauded by the City Council for her efforts.
And that includes writing grants that have brought more than $2 million to the Santa Paula Fire Department.
SPFD Chief Rick Araiza told the council at the August 17 meeting an amendment was submitted for the 2015 SAFER grant—more than $912,000—so that spending could commence September 1.
The move noted Araiza means, “no other city funds will be expended,” to cover the gap in funding that covered the cost of five full-time firefighters as the city awaited word on their second SAFER award.
Canniff, he told the council, was “extremely important in getting that grant…I’ve know Marleen for about six years,” and her volunteer grant writing efforts have greatly benefited the community through enhanced public safety.
So valuable has Canniff’s help been that the SPFD has benefited from more than $2 million in grant funds stemming from her efforts.
Araiza said the grants include the two federal SAFER grants as well as thermal cameras used by firefighters, as well as other equipment not in the regular fire budget.
“Unfortunately,” Araiza told the council, “Marleen now has a full-time job but she’s still volunteering with us,” and has “graciously” agreed to continue to help the SPFD secure grants.
Said Mayor John Procter as he presented Canniff with the proclamation, “I cannot overstate how much you’ve done for us,” and the amount of work she has donated to better public safety.
Araiza noted that applying for grants is a laborious process involving much research as well as writing skills.
“I’ve spent hours with her,” as Canniff organized grants, “went over them again and again…she’s amazing; Marleen would put it on the television,” then cull through the documents and data.
Canniff, added Araiza, is “a genius the way she puts it all together.”
The chief also deserves credit said Canniff who noted when she received word that the second SAFER grant had been awarded, “I was relieved for the fire department, the city and the community…but we know it’s temporary,” with a two-year spending window.
Now the city must “figure out how to sustain,” the funding for the five full-time firefighters once the grant is exhausted.
“The fire and police still need adequate staffing and pay…we still have those concerns we’re all working toward,” finding solutions to.
Canniff said the community can help: “There are things everyone can do…either volunteer or donate,” to public safety or join Citizens for a Safer Santa Paula, “everyone should get involved in that…”
The Santa Paula Police & Fire Foundation supports public safety and hosts a major fundraiser each year.
“A really cool way to get involved is to attend Moonlight at the Ranch, that money goes to the foundation that in turn provides equipment and programming so it frees up money for other things…”
Canniff said just by attending the September 12 Moonlight at the Ranch IX: “Groovy 60s” people can support public safety.
Tickets ($65 each for the adult party held at Limoneira Ranch) and Canniff said “Stop by the Santa Paula Times,” 120 Davis St. “and get tickets or drop off a donation to the foundation…help sell tickets to Moonlight, tell your neighbors about it, it will help a lot.”
The recognition for Canniff added Procter from the dais, “Is long overdue…we want to thank you so much,” for her lucrative efforts on behalf of public safety.
For more information on the Moonlight at the Ranch celebration visit www.moonlightattheranch.com
