Duarte Shines Again

Duarte had over 10,000 people attend the amazing fireworks show on July 3rd this year. Many years ago, we made the promise to the people of Duarte, that we would have the best fireworks show that we could if they passed the municipal ordinance to ban all fireworks in our city. Located this close to the foothills, Duarte is not the best place to be discharging fireworks. Now the city provides a family-friendly activity that’s a gathering place for so many the day before the 4th of July. Great to see so many there, including our Congressman Gill Cisneros.

Route 66 Recognition

Our “Main Street” in Duarte is Route 66. The Route 66 Museum presented our city with a plaque for donating the iconic Trails restaurant sign, that was on Route 66 in our city for many decades, to their museum in Victorville. A number of people from all over the United States were there to present plaques to cities that have a history with “the Mother Road”.

Getting Ideas from CVLink

Last week I was out in the Imperial Valley learning about their 40 mile bike and sports path, designed for pedestrians, cyclists, and low-speed electric vehicles. It is called CV Link. It offers a car-free, scenic route along the Whitewater River and Tahquitz Creek connecting Palm Springs, Cathedral City and La Quinta. My purpose in riding for a few miles along this path was to get some ideas for our new bike path reconstruction that is starting this summer.

Congratulations to Duarte’s Older American Volunteer of the Year

Amy Hai was honored for her tireless service to the City of Duarte. Thank you Amy for your hard work. Our whole community benefits from your tireless commitment.

Thank You Senator Susan Rubio

I am profoundly grateful to our state Senator Susan Rubio for honoring me with the Legacy Woman of the Year award recently. She asked that I go to Sacramento and be recognized on the floor of the Senate for this honor. I loved that some of my grandchildren were able to be there with me. Thank you, Senator Rubio.

Sacramento Calls

This past week, the SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments - largest metropolitan planning organization in the United States) made a quick trip to Sacramento to lobby our state legislators on issues affecting all of us in the So Cal region. As a member of the Board, I was able to meet with people that are making decisions regarding transportation, housing, air quality and economic development in our region. We are sponsoring a bill that would require the state to provide resources for cities to meet the housing demands placed upon them.

Ray Marquez, Chino Hills Councilmember, and I met with Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer.

A few of us met with Assemblymember Lisa Calderon to discuss upcoming legislation.

A Big Win for our Cities

The CCCA (California Contract Cities Association) is not only a solid lobbying organization in Sacramento, but we also help by donating hundreds of items that are needed to help the unhoused and women’s shelters. The other night we packed backpacks with these items and delivered them to the shelters. Another win for cities in Los Angeles County.

Mark Waronek (Lomita), Sonny Santa Inez (Bellflower), John Erickson (West Hollywood), Lynda Johnson (Cerritos), and Jeff Wood (Lakewood) - all councilmembers that joined with me to help with this important project. Way to go LA County!!!

Win -Win - Win

The other day I went to the City of Hope, one of the biggest jewels in our “city crown” to donate blood - there is currently a shortage at COH - and was joined by our son, James, who is a research professor at the graduate school. It was great to be able to donate blood, know that it would be used to help others and spend a little bit of extra time with James.

Former LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and LA 2028

It was a pleasure to talk with Former LA Mayor and the former US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, when he came to our SCAG Regional Council meeting in December. He has tremendous knowledge about the history of Olympics in Los Angeles. I attended the first Women’s Olympic Marathon at the 1984 LA Olympics and still love all things Olympic.

Working with Our Outstanding County Supervisor, Kathryn Barger

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!

Contract Cities Rocks Sacramento

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.

Another Great Duarte Tradition

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!

Breakfast with Santa. . . Finally

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.

Thank You to My Family, Friends and the Citizens of Duarte

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.

A Howlin’ Good Time at the Halloween Howl

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.

Duarte Rotary Rocks the Town

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.

Halloween Fun for All

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.

Congratulations to Our Staff Member

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.”

This Made My Day

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:

Drug Free and Proud in Duarte

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.