The order of business for the Rosemead City Council meeting on Tuesday was two fold: to honor the newly appointed mayor and mayor pro tem and to channel civic pride and community enthusiasm through everyone present.
About 200 local residents turned out at the Garvey Community Center on Apr. 10 for the swearing in of newly appointed Mayor Sandra Armenta and Mayor Pro Tem Polly Low.
Acknowledging positive support from family, fellow council members and staff, Armenta noted that she is the second Latina to serve as mayor since 1974. She especially recognized the civic enthusiasm of former Rosemead Mayor Steven Ly, who she said has left big shoes for her to fill in terms of leadership. “The passion that he has for Rosemead, the drive and intelligence he has at such a young age, is remarkable,” she said.
Armenta also recognized how tough the road ahead remains with funding capital improvement projects now that cities are struggling with the dissolution of their redevelopment agencies. But she gave due recognition to her department heads, staff and law enforcement officials who have “really stepped up to the plate to make sure the city is going to be okay,” she said.
While recognizing how staff and city employees help to complete the vision of the City Council, she described that vision in terms of returning Rosemead to a small-town America.
“That’s what we need to do,” she said. “We need to bring back Rosemead to the way that I remember growing up in Rosemead, where our children were safe to go bike riding, to go to school, and not having to worry about the dangers and the crime out there.”
Marking the enthusiasm behind Rosemead’s small-town American perspective, John Scott, Public Services superintendent for the City of Rosemead, announced the city’s designation as a Tree City USA for the second year, which was earned through the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service.
Scott said that the city has increased its inventory of trees, along with a diversity of species, by 32 percent. Having more than 6,100 trees within the city’s right-of-way and at parks and facilities, the city is able to increase its shade on hot summer days and filter pollutants from the air, according to Scott.
“Trees lend themselves to the health of the community,” Scott said. They absorb the gaseous contaminates that are put out by the surrounding freeways, absorbing those compounds while dispensing oxygen. They truly enhance our quality of life.”
Tom Shoots, a regional urban forester from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, who presented the award, said he was honored to recognize cities like Rosemead as a Tree City USA. To receive this designation, cities must have a tree department, spend $2 per capita on tree needs, and establish a street tree ordinance.
“It’s great to see your city make this strong commitment,” said Shoots, “and this does not happen without the support of an awesome council and an awesome mayor.”
Many local government representatives presented Armenta and Low certificates of recognition, including staff members from the offices of Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park), Rep. Judy Chu, (D-El Monte), and Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) also attended the event.
San Gabriel Vice-Mayor Mario De La Torre congratulated the City of Rosemead for being a good neighbor and a great inspiration for civic achievement. “We are so excited to have you onboard,” said De La Torre, acknowledging Rosemead’s Tree City USA designation. “We’re excited to be neighbors of yours, and you have done a fantastic job.”
Photo: Rosemead City Councilman and former Mayor Steven Ly swears in newly appointed Mayor Sandra Armenta – Jim E. Winburn
