Candidate for
Council Member; City of Pico Rivera

BACKGROUND

I am a life-long (34-year) resident of Pico Rivera, and I have experienced all that our city has to offer. I've witnessed first hand the evolution of Pico Rivera into what is becoming, in the words of a good friend, "A truly American city."

What makes Pico Rivera great today, and what sets us apart from other cities is that, Pico Rivera is not just a great city, but Pico Rivera is a family. Everywhere you turn, you see a familiar face, or someone you've done business with. I've lived all of my life in the Rio Hondo Park neighborhood of Pico Rivera, which was a tough area to grow-up in. While growing up, I always found myself having to take a stand, and having to make choices. I have always stood up for what I believe in. I am not afraid to take a tough stance, and go against the flow, as long I believe that it is the right thing to do. The right thing isn't always the popular thing, and my courage to make the right choices is what makes me the best candidate for the Pico Rivera City Council.

My grandmother raised me; she raised seven of us (my two brothers, and four cousins) on a fixed, social security income. I know what it is for the average person to struggle. Her sacrifices, courage and strength have instilled in me the drive to succeed, to help others, and the drive to make Pico Rivera a better place for everyone. Having witnessed first-hand the financial and medical struggles that my Grandmother had endured, I am very much aware of the importance and the necessity of low city fees for our senior citizens. I am a proud Pico Rivera Homeowner, and I know that, what affects other homeowners, affects me. I am genuinely a "Product of the Community." What I am today is a result of first and foremost my grandmothers love and care, my faith in God, and the policies and programs of our great city.

As a child, and young teen, I spent much of my time participating in the Pico Rivera Parks and Recreation Programs. I am grateful for these programs, and understand the importance of their existence and enhancement.

EDUCATION

I am the first in my family to go to college and earn a degree. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy, Management and Planning from the University of Southern California (2004). My knowledge of Public Policy gives me an edge over other candidates in formulating creative, effective, and fiscally responsible policies. I also earned an Associates degree in Administration of Justice from Rio Hondo College. I've made the national Dean's list twice, and was a recipient of the USC Dean's scholarship. Having worked and gone to school full-time throughout my college years was challenging, and it has given me a great appreciation for hard work.

EXPERIENCE

I have served my community in various ways throughout my life. My desire to serve, and to help those less fortunate than myself goes back to when I was just 12 years old and a volunteer for many projects. My first real contribution in making Pico Rivera a better place can be traced back to when I began working as a volunteer youth director/counselor at Agape Christian Center in Pico Rivera. I worked there for many years with a variety of young people from the community including at-risk teens. I counseled them through tough situations, taught them character-building classes, coordinated special events for them, and worked with them one-on-one.

I have also volunteered my time as a victim advocate for the L.A. County District Attorney's Office. As a victim advocate I was able to work with victims of violent crimes and their families. I helped victims obtain restitution for financial losses; I accompanied them to court, and assisted them with referral services. Although these families were in crisis, it was a joy to help make there lives somewhat easier by being there for them.

Currently I serve the City of Pico Rivera as a Planning Commissioner. I have been a Commissioner for two years. As a planning commissioner I have helped to shape Pico Rivera's future by making decisions that have helped new businesses get started in our city, and decisions that have boosted our economic growth. All of our decisions on the Planning Commission also help maintain the quality of life in Pico Rivera.

As a businessman, and as an active member of the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce I have a great understanding of the needs of our business community. It is my goal to continue working with the business community to ensure the success of their businesses, and together make Pico Rivera a better place to live. As an ambassador for the chamber, I help promote new business, and promote economic stability.

I have also represented Pico Rivera by serving as an elected delegate of the 58th Assembly District for the last four years, and was recently re-elected to a third term. As a delegate candidate, I have been endorsed both by Assemblyman Ron Calderon (58th A.D.), and Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (38th C.D.).

One of my more recent and satisfying accomplishments is my involvement with the Pico Rivera Relay for Life. I served as the chair of Team Recruitment for Pico Rivera's 1st Annual Relay for Life (an American Cancer Society sponsored event), and I am serving as chair of Team Recruitment once again for the 2nd Annual Relay for Life. In our first year we raised approximately $43,000.00 for cancer research. The reason that this is one of most satisfying accomplishments is that, it is a humanitarian event; it is a noble cause.

Some of my other community involvements include the Sheriff's Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway, March for Peace, Community Pride Day, March Against Domestic Violence.