SIERRA MADRE – The first non-white and first Filipino-American member of a quaint suburban city in Southern California was sworn into office on Tuesday, April 22.
Rachelle Arizmendi officially joined the Sierra Madre City Council on Tuesday night, during a city council reorganization meeting at the Sierra Madre City Hall. City Clerk Nancy Shollenberger administered the oath of office for Arizmendi, as well as for other incoming councilmembers, Denise Delmar and Gene Goss.
During her first comments as an official city councilmember, Arizmendi praised outgoing councilmembers Chris Koerber and Josh Moran and outgoing City Mayor Nancy Walsh “for their commitment and efforts” to Sierra Madre.
“I am humbled and really honored to be sitting up here today with [my fellow councilmembers]. I am really looking forward to serving Sierra Madre. It is really my intent to represent all of you that are here, and all of the residents at home watching [the live broadcast of city council meeting],” Arizmendi said.
Arizmendi, 42, later told Asian Journal that she is “excited and thrilled” to start her term. After a lot of hard work that went into her campaign, Arizmendi said that it’s “great to take that oath.”
While on Tuesday night, Arizmendi admitted that she doesn’t have her agenda of actions set up yet, she emphasized her commitment to following through on her campaign promises: enforcing financial stability with the city budget, making sure that the city government works to enhance and maintain the quality of life in Sierra Madre, and making sure that Sierra Madre downtown stays friendly and safe.
Sierra Madre is currently facing difficulties with their water supply due to the drought, as it takes its water from an independent municipality. Residents have encountered problems of discoloration and limited supply.
Arizmendi said that the city council will look to fix infrastructure and maintenance issues to cope up with this issue.
She said that there are some existing grants that could help fund the city’s efforts to address the problem, and the city council can look into those opportunity.
“Without [the measures to address infrastructure and maintenance], we’re being inefficient with our water flow. So it really has to be one of our priorities. And it does fit into the fiscal accountability part, too… making sure that we’re use our tax dollars the right way,” Arizmendi said.
Ofelia Sumagaysay Pastor, Arizmendi’s mother who is based in Salinas, California, attended Tuesday night’s oath-taking ceremonies.
Pastor, 72, said that she’s happy and proud of her daughter, and that she believes Rachelle will do well as a public servant.
“I know that she can make it. She has been doing this ever since. I’m really very proud of her,” Pastor said.
Apparently, serving the community runs in the family. Pastor said that she has been active in participating in the organizations within the Filipino community, and that Arizmendi saw her mother’s work when she was still young.
“Everywhere I went before, she was with me. She has experienced it also. I think it’s already in our blood,” Pastor said.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend April 26-29, 2014 Sec A pg.1)