ENCINO : 7 Who Quietly Serve Get Pat on the Back

Jan Sobel believes the people who keep the wheels of Encino greased and running smoothly usually don’t get much recognition.

So, Sobel, the executive director of the Encino Chamber of Commerce, is helping make sure today that the community says thanks.

The chamber’s first Community Service Recognition Awards luncheon will honor two Los Angeles police officers from the West Valley Division, two from the Van Nuys Division, a fire captain, a paramedic and a postal worker.

The luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Braemar Country Club in Tarzana.

“They have devoted much of their careers to our community,” Sobel said of the honorees. “Their work often goes unrecognized.”

For example, Kenneth R. Wheeless of the U. S. Postal Service has served Encino for 20 years, Sobel said.

And fire Capt. William A. Beneke, who has been a Los Angeles firefighter since 1962, has been based in Encino for about seven years.

“There are many people that are much more deserving that I am. But I’m very honored that they chose me,” Beneke, 52, said Wednesday.

Also to be honored are Los Angeles Fire Department paramedic Arthur Sorrentino, and Los Angeles police officers Ronald L. Carpenter, Al Longobardi, Shelley Gale and Russ Long.