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Dear Friend,
The hectic pace of everyday life sometimes
makes it hard to find time to reflect. However,
when I look back over the past twelve months,
I realize that 2010 was a year of growth
and momentum.
Below you will see a sampling of our 2010
highlights. As you read through it, please
give yourself a pat on the back, because
odds are that if you are receiving this
Year End Review, you were a part of it.
 In
January, State Superintendent Jack O’Connell
appointed me to a three-year term on the
Personnel Commission of the Montebello Unified
School District. In my first year as a Commissioner,
I am proud to say that we voluntarily reduced
our operating budget by 5% to help the school
district fill its general fund deficit and
direct more resources to the classroom.
My colleagues also supported my motion to
increase the minimum qualifications of the
school district's Chief of Police, while
lowering the salary range to a level that
is comparable to neighboring districts of
a similar size. Most importantly, working
with the Board of Education and as a result
of CSEA accepting furlough days, we were
able to retain 130 of the 219 Classified
employees who received pink slips at the
close of the 2009-10 school year, while
we saved another 50 jobs by back filling
positions with Classified employees that
were slated to be laid off.
 In
March, I was selected by the Los Angeles
Area Chamber of Commerce to be a 2010 Fellow
with Leadership L.A., a nine-month leadership
development program for business, government
and nonprofit executives becoming increasingly
active in leadership roles throughout greater
Los Angeles. From introducing me to the
people and places that make our City what
it is today, to helping me understand the
policy issues that will dictate her future,
Leadership L.A. took me on the most amazing,
thought provoking "behind-the-scenes" tour
of Los Angeles. I was honored to have been
elected by my peers to deliver the commencement
address at our November graduation at the
Beverly Hilton and I am looking forward
to applying the knowledge, skills and relationships
developed through the program to my service
to our community.
 In
the June Primary Election – out of a field
of 10 candidates, I received 5,903 votes
and was elected to the Los Angeles County
Central Committee by Democratic voters in
the 58th Assembly District. As a resident
of the 58th Assembly District for over 20
years and a proud, lifelong Democrat, it’s
been a privilege representing the communities
of East La Mirada, East Los Angeles, Hacienda
Heights, Industry, Montebello, Pico Rivera,
Rowland Heights, South San Gabriel and Whittier.
On January 9, I’ll be a candidate to represent
the same region as a Delegate to the California
Democratic Party. Please email me to find
out how you can support.
 In
July, the Cal State L.A. Alumni Association
Board of Directors elected me President,
making me the youngest alumnus since 1955
to lead the organization, which is the second
largest in the CSU system. While this is
a tremendous honor – more than anything,
I’m grateful for the opportunity to repay
CSULA for providing me and my family – including
my wife, parents and brother – with a strong
educational foundation and I am looking
forward to representing our more than 225,000
alumni throughout the region and in Sacramento,
when I begin my term this July.
2010 was a good year and as it comes to
an end, I just want to say – thank you.
Our accomplishments would not have been
possible without your continued friendship
and support.
Sincerely,
Personnel Commissioner
Montebello Unified School District |
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