Council celebrates longtime local businesses and Olympic anniversaries

The City Council on Tuesday recognized longtime local businesses and five decades of Olympic history.

As part of the City's Business Spotlight program, the Council highlighted the Irish twin restaurants Wineworks for Everyone and Dublin 4 Gastropub.

Reflecting the City's rich Olympic history and enduring legacy, the Council recognized the 50th anniversaries of Olympic achievements by Wendy Burge and Brian Goodell.

Wendy captured the nation's attention when she represented the United States at the 1976 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria placing sixth in Women's Singles Figure Skating. As a member of the storied U.S. figure skating team, Wendy proudly donned the red, white and blue and went on to inspire generations through her accomplishments as a celebrated athlete and longtime member of the Mission Viejo community.

Brian made Mission Viejo history in 1976 when he became the City's first Olympic gold medalist, winning two gold medals and setting two world records at the Olympic Summer Games in Montreal. He later was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and has continued to inspire others through his accomplishments as a celebrated athlete, public servant and enduring part of the City's storied history.

To celebrate the achievements of potential future Olympians, the Council also recognized the recent accomplishments of the Mission Viejo Nadadores swimming and diving teams. Honorees included athletes who qualified for the USA Diving Junior National Championships, Aquatics Junior World Championships, and the Junior National Swimming Championships.

During the business portion of the meeting, the Council approved the purchase of a replacement vehicle for Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS). The MVAS team provides animal control, field enforcement, emergency response, animal rescue and animal transportation services to the cities of Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills and Rancho Santa Margarita. Reliable vehicles are essential to supporting these services and ensuring MVAS can continue responding to calls and serving residents throughout the region.

The City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Meetings are streamed live on the City's website and air on Spectrum Channel 30 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the City's eNewsletter and follow the City's official social media sites for the most accurate, up-to-date information.