GLENDALE COUNCILMEMBERS AND MAYOR TAKE OATHS OF OFFICE
Link for images courtesy of the city of Glendale
Enthusiasm was high as two newly elected Glendale City Councilmembers, Dianna Guzman and Lupe Conchas Jr., along with current Mayor Jerry Weiers and Councilmember Ray Malnar took their oaths of office and pledged to improve residents’ lives during a packed ceremony on Tuesday night.
The ceremony is a traditional event where the mayor and City Councilmembers are officially sworn into office by a judge and sign an oath of office. This event shows they are entrusted with serving residents according to the powers and responsibilities defined in Glendale’s charter, according to Sue Breding, Glendale Communications Director, and emcee for the ceremony.
This celebratory event kicked off with a Presentation of Colors by the United States Air Force Civil Air Patrol, followed by a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Nicole Santos. Judge Enrique Medina-Ochoa, Justice of the Peace at Maricopa County, administered the oath of office for Cactus District Councilmember Conchas. Then Glendale Presiding Judge Nicholas C. DiPiazza swore in Yucca District Councilmember Guzman and Mayor Weiers. Sahuaro District Councilmember Malnar took his oath of office earlier with Judge DiPiazza, and a video of Malnar making a speech was played during the ceremony.
Conchas spoke about overcoming the odds with support from family members and promised to tackle affordable housing and to help continue boosting economic growth. He also praised the city for obtaining a grant to improve speed enforcement and pedestrian safety.
“I grew up in extreme poverty, moving around from place to place, and at times I faced homelessness and hunger, but those challenges, they didn’t break me, they made me who I am today,” Conchas told the crowd. “They instilled in me a renewal of my faith, empathy for others and determination to overcome, an unshakeable belief in the power of my own community. We will work to revitalize downtown Glendale, creating a vibrant hub for arts, culture and commerce, and by supporting our small businesses, bring a stronger local economy. Glendale is ready for this transformation, and we will make it happen. We are all in this together.”
Guzman also thanked her family, as well as supporters, including fellow church members.
“Together we have an opportunity to unite in service to this city and I look forward to co-leading Glendale toward a brighter future with all of you,” she said. “Glendale is more than just a city. It’s my home. I promise to lead with humility, to listen with empathy and to act with purpose. I am honored to serve you and to dedicate myself to ensuring that Glendale continues to be the place of opportunity, safety and prosperity for all.”
Weiers said he and the City Councilmembers are “servant leaders” with the motto of improving residents’ lives every day.
“We’re going to disagree on things,” he said. “You have to be able to disagree and you have to be able to talk it out and work it out. I truly, in my heart believe that the city of Glendale is in incredibly better shape than it was when I became mayor 12 years ago. All you have to do is look at our financials when I came in, (and) look at them today. Ninety-nine percent of the time, we all want the same thing, and we want a better life, we want better for our kids, we want better for our grandkids. Most of us want lower taxes. I know I certainly do. But the fact is, is we’re not that different from each other. We may have different colored skin, but I guarantee you inside it all looks the same. We’re all Americans…and we want what’s best for our fellow citizens.”
In his video address, Malnar said this year is his ninth anniversary on the Council, and he is proud of the city’s successes since he took office, adding he believes in “openness and transparency.”
“I am proud of our many accomplishments,” he said. “I say ‘our’ because without the support of the rest of the City Council, the city staff and the public, we could not have done it. This city has made great strides towards creating high-paying jobs, improving our city finances, upgrading infrastructure such as streets, sanitation, water, community centers and parks, while at the same time reducing our property tax levy. There’s a strong, vibrant energy in this city.”
Congratulations to our newly sworn in Mayor and councilmembers.