‘Best of Bunkerville’ honored by Commissioners

By JIM LUKSIC

The Progress

The Board of County Commissioners presented its 4th annual “Bunkerville’s Best” awards on Thursday, March 28 at the town’s Community Center.

The suitably unpretentious event paid tribute to a handful of local residents for “outstanding commitment and extraordinary contributions to Bunkerville Township,” according to proclamation certificates issued by the County Commission.

Roger and Regena Bunker, Paula Perez, plus Cecil and Carol Leavitt were the feted award recipients that evening.

Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick was all smiles while handing out the proclamations and prize belt buckles to the honorees.
“We want to thank you for being here – it means a lot to us,” Kirkpatrick told the Bunkers and Perez (Roger’s sister) before they feasted on a community dinner.

Roger, from a clan of generational farmers, has lived in town for well over a half-century.
“I definitely like this community; it’s a good place to raise a family,” said Roger, whose father and grandfather were grangers. “I tried teaching for a few years, but came to the realization that I enjoyed farming.”

His wife, Regena, described herself as a pianist who performed for school musicals and in the choir. She previously served as a bookkeeper.

Perez became a familiar face by helping with elections for 40 years, in addition to working at Mesquite’s FamilySearch Center. “When I first started, it was in the old Mesquite chapel,” said Perez, noting that she attended the banquet to support both the Bunkers and Leavitts.

As for the Leavitts, Cecil was a justice of the peace who was instrumental in establishing the Bunkerville park; wife Carol raised their children and was involved in church activities.

While the adults on hand conversed throughout the get-together, their kids and grandkids made do with a variety of toys around the venue.

On a side wall, slideshow photos were projected on a screen. An adjacent table was covered with school yearbooks dating back to the 1940s and ‘50s.

Judy Metz, who serves in Administrative Services for the commissioner, was cooking up a storm and dishing it out during Bunkerville’s Best. Not a surprise, since she owned a restaurant for decades in Overton.
“After six months of retirement, I needed to do something,” said Metz, adding that Kirkpatick offered her a position. “I’m very community-oriented.”

Metz said that she enjoys extra-curricular events, particularly in a family-central place such as Bunkerville. “I love when something comes together, when people need something done, it feels good.”

Kirkpatrick asserted that the idea for Bunkerville’s Best came about when local resident Mike Waite and other county figures wanted to preserve history and honor different local residents. Town board members were among the first recognized.

“Each year, we try to find different people to honor,” Kirkpatrick said. “The commissioners are big history buffs; we know the importance of farming and irrigation, so we like to remind the younger generation.”

The yearly event is Kirkpatrick’s way of saying “Thank you” to distinguished guests for preserving the community and traditional values.
“I love coming here to see the families,” she said. “The event gives them an opportunity to see one another and have fun.”