Last night a few Duarte council members attended a function to support the fine work that is being done by Kathryn Barger. I am honored to collaborate with her to keep our crime stats low and endeavor to house many of the homeless in our region. Thank you Kathryn.
Once again, the California Contract Cities Association, of which Duarte is a member, met in Sacramento to lobby on behalf of cities. We represent 76 cities and 7.5 million residents. One of the biggest topics of discussion was housing in our state. As a Past President of this organization, in 2005, I make sure that our city and citizens are still represented. I also met with our Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, as well as our Senator Susan Rubio. They are always trying to help cities keep their local control, where citizens have the biggest voice.
Duarte Parks and Rec kept the holiday season alive with Santa visiting all of the neighborhoods in Duarte. And Santa even brought snow with him from the North Pole!
After a 2-year pandemic hiatus, the Duarte Rotary Club was back in full swing with one of our best events of the year, Breakfast with Santa. The big guy flew in just for the breakfast, making little (and big) kids smile as they told him what they wanted for Christmas, and how good they have been. We have an extremely active Rotary Club and as President, I am grateful for the club members that make this club such a huge success.
It was a week ago today that once again the voters re-elected me for another term. I am grateful to them for the confidence they have in my ability to lead. I loved being able to meet so many people and listen to their compliments, questions and complaints. It all makes for a better city. A special big thanks to my husband, children, and even grandchildren for all pitching in to make my work lighter. My friends helped immeasurably too, walking precincts and making phone calls. I am blessed by so many good people in my life. Now back to work in the city that I love, Duarte.
Maybe it’s because we haven’t had this event since 2019 - or maybe it’s because people just wanted to get out with their friends and neighbors to enjoy the beautiful fall evening. Whatever it was, we had phenomenal attendance at the the city’s Halloween Howl event at Royal Oaks Park. Thanks to our Parks and Rec staff for putting together an enjoyable evening and also to the non-profits in our community that had free games for the attendees.
As the current President of the Duarte Rotary Club, I am honored that we have so many members that are engaged with doing service work in our community. We have recently worked at trash pick-up at Royal Oaks Park, helped to make available 200 water barrels for emergency water storage with our partnership with Cal American Water Company, earned money for international projects with our shave ice booth at the City picnic, and have our Senior Center breakfast coming up in a week. I am proud to be affiliated with this excellent group.
Little kids (and big kids too) had a lot of fun at the Trunk or Treat sponsored by Valley View PTA on Friday afternoon. Expecting only about 90 or 100 trick-or-treaters, I brought 150 full-size candy bars - and was wiped out in about 30 minutes. Next year I will definitely bring double that amount. Congratulations to the PTA President, Araceli, for a great idea that had triple the number of expected little trick-or-treaters. The community loved getting together for an evening of fun and frivolity. I went dressed as the Mayor from the movie, Nightmare Before Christmas.
Duarte Maintenance Supervisor Girard Batista received the prestigious Peter Walsh Award, a statewide award that honors the best in public works. We appreciate his work ethic and the leadership he has exhibited over the years. Thanks to Girard for making Duarte “Our Kind of Town.”
Campaigning can be difficult at best sometimes. But every once in awhile you get a big “paycheck”. Thanks to Terry for making me have the biggest grin, with the following unsolicited post on Nextdoor:
For the past many decades when Fall comes, we know it signals a time for acknowledging Duarte’s commitment to helping all people, particularly our youth, stay drug free. We participated in the tying of the red ribbons on all the trees on Huntington Drive. Thanks to all of the students, adults and Sheriffs for making this a fun activity.
Two of my favorite people ever are Sister Giana and Sister Carmelina. They were hosting an Open House Oktoberfest at the cottages at Santa Teresita. The assisted living facility is lovely and a real jewel in our city. Thank you for hosting this - the sauerkraut and bratwurst were delicious.
Today we had the ribbon cutting at the. Centinela Pet Supply store in the Smart and Final Center. It is a company that has been in business for over 4 decades and this is their 19th location. Welcome to our newest business!!
At the statewide CJPIA Conference (California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, the city’s insurance pool and risk management training organization), our own Manuel Enriquez has been recognized as one of the top municipal risk managers in the state. We are proud of this distinction and wish him the best of luck as he vies for the top spot among the 5 finalists.
Yesterday at Beardslee Park, we planted a tree for our former city council colleague, Bryan Urias. He passed away about a year ago and we felt that this would be a fitting tribute as this was the park where Bryan and his mother, Rosa, would take walks. Bryan served the people of Duarte and the San Gabriel Valley well and championed the causes of the underserved. On a personal note, I miss his sense of humor and passion for public service. Rest in peace, Bryan. Your legacy lives on through your good works.
Our city council presented Irene Lozano from the Duarte Elks Club with a proclamation during National Patriotism Week, honoring her club for the commitment they have to our community, making it a great place to live and work.
Last night we celebrated the birthday of our neighbor of almost 40 years. James and his family went with us to visit Betty, because James used to run across the cul de sac as a little kid of 4 and would ask if her husband could come out and play. Duarte has some great neighbors and Betty is one of the best. Happy 99th Birthday, Betty!! We love you.
Thanks to the young people on our Mayor’s Youth Council for helping the Duarte City Council come up with fresh ideas to make youth programming relevant and engaging. Shown here with several of the students are Teen Center staff and a LACSD deputy, helping with the Teen Center barbecue.
This past Wednesday, the City Manager, Dan Jordan, and I went to an event at the Arboretum with the California Contract Cities Association. Duarte is a contract city and as such we contract with Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. It was a good opportunity for Dan and me to talk with members of the department about our concerns and thoughts regarding our cities in LA County. We continue to be one of the safest cities along the foothills because of our partnership with LA County Sheriffs. We want to keep it that way and work on new policing methods so that crime is virtually non-existent in Duarte.
Last night on August 10th, the city wrapped up its summer concert series at Beardslee Park. The crowd was not daunted by the heat and was rewarded with Suave the Band. It makes me so pleased to see senior citizens enjoying the music and little kids playing on the lawn. Our city no doubt has the most creative and extensive Parks and Rec activities in the whole San Gabriel Valley. Thanks to our staff for another memorable evening.
