BY RAYMOND MENDOZA
New Mayor of Walnut, Nancy Tragarz (Photo Courtesy: City of Walnut)
Walnut – Walnut residents gathered at City Hall on Wed., July 9 to watch Mayor Pro Tem, Nancy Tragarz, ascend to the position of Mayor of Walnut.
Before the council’s reorganizations, council members proclaimed that July will be known as Parks and Recreation Month and commended retiring City Planner, Laura Nash, for her six years of service to the City.
Mayor Tony Cartagena noted that park use is an important part of the community in Walnut, while lowering juvenile crime rates and promoting participation in the arts.
Tragarz praised the Parks and Recreation Department for its numerous activities, citing the recent Movies in the Park series and the Fourth of July Celebration as perfect examples of the good work being done in the City for its citizens.
“It’s so important to have wonderful parks,” Tragarz said. “Our parks are so well kept … thanks to our Parks and Recreation Commission and all you do.”
Cartagena and the council members then congratulated Nash on her years of service as City Planner, citing her diligence and hard work as a tribute to her character.
After a presentation of Cartagena’s accomplishments as Mayor of Walnut from July 2013 to July 2014, City Attorney, Michael Montgomery, opened the nominations for Mayor, with Council Member Mary Su nominating Tragarz. Tragarz was then sworn in as Mayor of Walnut by members of her family.
Tragarz was elected to serve on the Walnut City Council in 2008 and was chosen by her fellow council members to serve as Mayor in June 2011. Tragarz has served as Mayor Pro Tem since her appointment in July 2013. She also previously served as Vice Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Vice Chairperson on the Ethics Committee, and on the Family Festival Committee.
After being sworn in as Mayor, Tragarz’ first act was to nominate councilmember Eric Ching as Mayor Pro Tem, who was approved for the position by receiving a 3-2 majority vote.
City Council members then moved onto the public hearing items, approving Ordinance No. 14-02 for the City Council of the City of Walnut to add language to the City’s municipal code for parking in the City-owned parking lot; and Ordinance No. 14-03 for establishing locations for meetings and official postings.
Council members then approved all items on the consent calendar, including Resolution No.14-32 allowing claims and demands in the amount of $558,637.81; an award of a bid for the Amar Road rehabilitation project in the amount of $152,000; and the approval of a three-year contract with Animal Pest Management, Inc. for rodent control in zones 1 through 9 and 12, parks, and city owned areas.
After the council members delivered their individual announcements, the meeting officially adjourned with plans to meet on June 23 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 21201 La Puente Road.
