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Huntington Park honors outgoing Mayor Arturo Flores; he frames tenure around ICE raids and a pending recall
Summary
Council and regional officials presented certificates honoring Mayor Arturo Flores. In remarks, Flores recounted the city's response to ICE enforcement, referenced a recall effort he said was supported by a former council member, and said he will focus on fighting the recall while remaining engaged in community advocacy.
The Huntington Park City Council and visiting officials presented certificates of appreciation to outgoing Mayor Arturo Flores, and Flores used his remarks to recount the circumstances that defined his term, including large-scale ICE enforcement actions and a recall effort he said he will contest.
Representatives from the state assembly, Los Angeles County Fire Department and neighboring cities presented written commendations for Flores’s leadership and community advocacy. Clarissa Ortega read a certificate from the state assembly, and Acting Assistant Chief Noble Robinson III presented a certificate from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. "On behalf of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, I am acting assistant chief Noble Robinson... we acknowledge your many accomplishments," Robinson said.
Vice Mayor Martinez presented a gavel and a council certificate to Flores, and several council colleagues offered remarks thanking him for leadership on issues including rent stabilization and regional advocacy. One council member defended Flores against allegations cited during the recall and said, "He's never shown up drunk here." The council then invited Flores to make remarks.
In his prepared remarks, Flores said he stepped into the mayoral role amid accusations and federal enforcement actions and that the city chose to respond publicly to protect residents. He described first reacting cautiously to the ICE raids but then deciding to speak out. "I didn't do it without fear... I embraced the fear, and I still took action that I thought was the right thing to do," Flores said. He also said a recall was initiated in February and was supported, in his words, by a former council member; he said he will prioritize addressing the recall but intends to continue advocacy for immigrant communities.
Flores also described personal highlights from his term and said the council and staff have continued to advance capital projects and public services despite the distractions. The council paused for a group photo and recessed briefly to return for a hearing at 7 p.m.
What’s next: Flores said he will focus on responding to the recall while remaining involved in community advocacy; city business including the scheduled hearing was set to resume at 7 p.m.
