After more than three decades of service to the Canyon Lake community, city employee Marlon Johnson will retire on June 30, bringing to a close a career that has spanned animal control, community patrol, planning compliance, and code enforcement.
The city council recognized Johnson’s decades of dedication during its June 10 meeting, presenting him with a certificate of appreciation and a gift card.
Johnson’s connection to Canyon Lake began in 1990 when he joined LEAF, now known as Animal Friends of the Valleys, as an animal control officer. At the time, Canyon Lake was part of his service area, and wildlife-related calls were a regular part of the job.
“Back in those days, we had a lot of rattlesnake calls,” Marlon said. “I’ve rescued several Canyon Lake property owners from wildlife, which was more common then than it is now.”
After LEAF, Marlon worked as a patrol officer for the security company contracted by the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association (POA). “I’ve worn three different badges as a patrolman for Canyon Lake,” he said. “I was repeatedly hired by the companies that were awarded the contracts.”
In 2006, the POA hired Johnson as an inspector for its Planning and Compliance Department, where he remained for the next 15 years.
In February 2021, Johnson transitioned from the POA to the city, where he has been serving as a code enforcement officer for the past five years.
“After a long enjoyable employment with the Canyon Lake POA, I saw an opportunity for a change and broader horizons,” Marlon said. “The transition from the POA to the city was bittersweet. It was like leaving one family for another one.”
Upon retirement at the end of the month, Johnson said he plans to relax and travel. While his daily duties may be coming to an end, his connection to Canyon Lake remains strong.
“I’ve worked over 36 years in the community, and watched people grow up, move away, grow old, and many pass as well,” Johnson said. “I’ve been treated as a part of the community by many people, though I never lived there. Who and what I’ll miss are too numerous to mention, but I’ll be back to enjoy my friends and loved ones and enjoy the life I have left in Canyon Lake, as well as way beyond. There will be travel and adventure, but California is home, and I’ll be back.”
