Westlake Village honors its volunteers




Neil Ticktin

Neil Ticktin


Three Westlake Village residents have been recognized by the City Council for their contributions to the community.

Neil Ticktin was awarded Citizen of the Year; Agoura High School senior Andrew Schmidt, Youth of the Year; and Doris Rufener, Older American of the Year.

Ticktin’s many volunteer roles include the Triunfo YMCA father/child programs. He served as chief of the Indian Guides in 2004-05 and as Trail Boss of the Trailblazers in 200607.

An honor student and Boy Scout, Schmidt is a Meals on Wheels volunteer and a charter member of his school’s Interact Club.

Rufener is a fourtime president of the Westlake Village Women’s Club and is a volunteer and deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

All three were scheduled to be honored with plaques and awards at the City Council’s Wed., May 14 meeting. Schmidt was to receive a $500 scholarship. A $500 donation in Ticktin’s honor is being made from the city to the Triunfo YMCA. Rufener is to be honored at a Los Angeles County Commission on Aging reception on May 28.

In 1999, the city began recognizing adult and youth residents who have exemplified a strong sense of volunteerism, civic pride, and commitment toward the betterment of the community, said Kerry Kallman, Westlake Village community relations coordinator. The nominations are submitted by residents.

The Older American of the Year is part of a Los Angeles County program that recognizes an older resident from every city in the county each year. Westlake Mayor Philippa Klessig nominated Rufener.

Ticktin says his involvement in the community is a hobby.

“Some people watch sports. Some people build things. I do community things,” Ticktin said.

In 2006 Ticktin established Westlake Revelations, a website dedicated to city news that he writes and maintains. He organized, hosted and moderated a City Council candidates’ forum last fall. Two years ago he created the annual Soap Box Derby, a kids’ car race event held in Westlake Village. Ticktin also volunteers as a technology adviser for the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

“I hadn’t realized it until the city’s recognition, but everything I do has some thread of kids in it,” Ticktin said.

Not surprising considering he has two of his own, Jordan, who will be 13 in two weeks and is in seventh grade at Lindero Canyon Middle School, and Erin, 10, a fifthgrader at White Oak Elementary. Both children said they thought it was “cool” that their dad was being recognized and that he is so involved in community efforts.

“I enjoy it because I get to spend time with him helping him,” said Erin, who assisted her dad at the Soapbox Derby.

Westlake resident Kelly Honig nominated Ticktin and was pleased he was chosen.

“Neil Ticktin has benefited our city in many ways,” Honig said. “. . . I think it is extremely important that our city recognize its outstanding citizens.”

In addition to his volunteer activities, Ticktin is editor in chief and publisher of MacTech magazine, a technical publication; and CEO of both Xplain Corp., a publishing and mail-order company, and Shows International, an event management company.

A Los Angeles native, Ticktin is an Eagle Scout and an avid photographer.

“Neil definitely has a passion for helping,” said his wife, Audrey. “He is one of those people who is very efficient getting things done. It’s amazing.”

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