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San Fernando council confirms two commissioners, rejects one amid controversy over comments about Cindy Montanez
Summary
Council approved two appointments to city commissions but voted down Ricardo Benitez for the Transportation and Public Safety Commission after a contentious exchange over remarks he made about the late Cindy Montanez.
The San Fernando City Council confirmed two commission appointments on Jan. 21 and rejected a third after an extended public and council discussion.
Council member Patty Lopez's appointees were confirmed: Christian Garcia to the Parks, Wellness and Recreation Commission and Mario Lua to the Planning and Preservation Commission. Both were approved by roll call vote after brief presentations of their resumes and remarks from the nominees.
The council declined to confirm Lopez's nomination of Ricardo Benitez to the Transportation and Public Safety Commission after vocal objections from Councilmember Joel Fajardo and an extended exchange during which Benitez apologized for remarks made at a prior meeting.
Fajardo criticized comments Benitez made at an earlier meeting about the late civic leader Cindy Montanez, saying the remarks were "appalling" and that "the implication is that Cindy Montanez died because of support of LGBTQ issues in the city." Fajardo said those remarks, made in the presence of Montanez's family, were "massively inappropriate." Benitez responded to the council: "I apologize, honest to you for that. ... It's a lesson for me not to do any things like you mentioned. So I apologize on this from the bottom of my heart." He also described his long community involvement and said he wanted to serve the city.
The vote on the Benitez appointment failed: Councilmember Patty Lopez voted yes; Councilmember Victoria Garcia voted yes; Councilmember Joel Fajardo voted no; Vice Mayor Mary Salorio voted no; Mayor Mary Mendoza voted no. The motion did not pass.
Nut graf: The council confirmed two applicants viewed by members as qualified for advisory commission roles, while rejecting a third nomination after councilors expressed concern about the nominee's past public statements and behavior in public meetings.
Ending: Each approved appointment will be seated per council direction; staff will process necessary onboarding. The city clerk will note the failed appointment in the minutes and reopen the vacancy for the Transportation and Public Safety Commission.
