San Fernando council honors local artists, veterans, entrepreneurs and volunteers at celebration meeting

At a special celebration meeting the San Fernando City Council presented certificates of recognition to more than two dozen residents, artists and organizations for contributions to cultural events, veteran services, small-business support and local entrepreneurship programs.

Mayor Mendoza opened the event and said the meeting was a second annual celebration in which “the city council will be presenting certificates of recognition to each council member honoring individuals and organizations who make a difference in our community.” City Clerk Fritz explained the presentation order and a two-minute limit for speakers.

Presentations led by Mayor Mendoza highlighted performers and organizers from the city's El Grito event. The mayor recognized the California Cadet Corps 205th Battalion color guard from Pacoima Middle School and introduced their commander, Second Lieutenant Randy Santa Cruz. “Leaders show up, and these kids show up over and over and over because they believe in the program,” said Lieutenant Javier Perez, the cadet leader who introduced the students.

The council acknowledged community performers and organizers who helped stage El Grito, including charros who presented the Mexican flag, mariachi groups, dance instructors and event coordinators. The mayor singled out Francisco Javier Verdin as an El Grito coordinator and local radio host who organized entertainment, and Ruben Rodriguez, executive director of Pueblo Salud, who helped arrange the reenactment and brought a replica Mexican Liberty Bell to the city. The council said it hopes to establish a permanent display location for the replica bell "most likely by City Hall" before the end of the fiscal year.

Councilmember Joe Fajardo presented recognitions to individuals including Planning and Preservation Commissioner Cecilia Martinez for her years of service and Kevin Perez, director of Somos Familia Valle (now operating as Somos Amilia Valle), who described the group's expansion of services and the recent opening of an LGBT center for the San Fernando Valley. "Somos has been working the last 11 years really as a grassroots organization," Kevin Perez said, noting programs for youth, talking groups and community supports.

Councilmember Victoria Garcia honored longtime community volunteers and faith-based programs, including George Hernandez, founder of the Brueline men's fellowship. Hernandez described the group's weekly meetings and outreach, saying they provide food, clothing and other support to people in need.

The council recognized Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3834 for hosting food distributions, resource fairs and community events and for providing meeting space to scouting and youth groups. A VFW representative thanked the council for "continued support of our veterans and our post."

Councilmember Lopez presented business recognitions to local owners and sponsors for supporting community events and code-compliance initiatives. The council also presented certificates to graduates and instructors of the EmPOWER San Fernando Entrepreneurship Academy, a program run by the city's business and community resource center to train local entrepreneurs.

No legislative actions, motions or formal votes were recorded during the meeting. The program concluded with photo opportunities, closing remarks and refreshments, and Mayor Mendoza adjourned the meeting.

Photos and certificates were presented throughout the event; speakers repeatedly thanked volunteers and emphasized cultural traditions and community service as reasons for the recognitions.