By Tammye McDuff
Outgoing Mayor Reynaldo “Rey” Rodriguez was honored by local dignitaries, friends, and family at the Hawaiian Gardens City Council transition this past week.
Reynaldo Rodriguez was born in Zacatecas Mexico, immigrated with his family to California in 1949, and finally settled in 1951 in Hawaiian Gardens. “I am the oldest of 13 children and had to go work at a very early age. I used to pick string beans, and every season the entire family would go to work,” remembered Rodriguez.
A Certificate of Recognition was given to Rodriquez by ABCUSD President Maynard Law. “You and your city have meant so much to our District,” said Law. “We are extensions of one another. You have been instrumental to Hawaiian Gardens. Your dedication and commitment to our City will long be remembered.”
Battalion Chief Ken Wiles from the Los Angeles County Fire Department presented Rodriguez with a Certificate of Recognition saying, “Mr. Mayor we had your local fire personnel here to assist in this recognition, but they just left with sirens screaming down the road. On behalf of your support of the Los Angeles Fire Department, we honor you with this commendation.”
The City of Cerritos also recognized Rodriguez. “We would like to acknowledge Rey for his outstanding service to Hawaiian Gardens. It is not easy being Mayor, you must have a passion for the City and outstanding leadership,” commented Carol Chen, Cerritos Mayor Pro-Tem.
The Hawaiian Gardens city council presented Rodriguez with a gavel. Mayor Pro-Tem Barry Bruce commented, “we want you to have this new gavel, not the one that you have been pounding on this year. On behalf of your city and your city council it has been my greatest pleasure to serve with this man. He is an awesome person, a man of character and honor.”
Rodriguez stated the best thing about serving on the council was being able to serve the community, “I think that the city is doing very well,” he noted, “we have no real financial issues. We are a small community where the government and its residents are like family.” Some of the noted accomplishments this year was the building of the Veteran’s Memorial. The City Council thought it was important that local Veterans be involved with the design and placement.
A plaque from Congresswoman Linda Sanchez office was given to Rodriguez by Field Representative Michael Vaughn, with an additional proclamation bestowed upon Rodriguez and Bruce from the office of Assemblyman Anthony Rendon.
Nominations were opened for position of Mayor, with Rodriguez nominating Barry Bruce. Councilman Barry Bruce voted Mariana Rios as Mayor Pro-Tem with a unanimous vote for both.
Rodriguez last statement as Mayor was “I just want to be remembered as a man who did a good job.”
