On the night of this Monday, December 12, the councilor Jeff Gee became mayor of Redwood City for a two-year term, to be joined by Lissette Espinoza-Garnica as vice mayor, after the motion for his positions was unanimously approved by the city's City Council.
Gee, who is serving in the role for the second time after serving from 2013 to 2015, was extremely excited to return to serving the residents of Redwood City.
The charges were approved after new councilors were sworn in and took their places on the City Council, such is the case of Kaia Eaki, Chris Sturken and the re-elected Diane Howard.
In 2019, the City Council adopted a policy for the selection of the Mayor and Vice Mayor, in accordance with the policy, selected every two years, and with a rotation based on seniority, on the City Council.
Once a City Council member serves as Mayor, they move to the bottom of the rotation. Based on councilmember rotation, Jeff Gee is next in line to serve as mayor and Councilmember Lisette Espinoza-Garnica is next to serve as vice mayor.
The first to be sworn in was Espinoza-Garnica, who represents District 3, to then give way to Gee, who was sworn in virtually by his daughter since he is in Turkey.
After taking the oaths and taking her place, Espinoza-Garnica said she was very honored by the opportunity to be vice mayor.
«I ran a campaign free of companies. The new wave of chosen ones look different, they are younger. We now have three elected councilors who are under 30… We as diverse young people, marginalized people are coming out and we are winning, and even with so much hate. Redwood. City isn't just my hometown, it's my family, so I think it's a wonderful moment in history as the first non-binary person to become vice mayor in the Bay Area."
This, he said, is not something to be taken lightly, while referring to being “looking forward to the future, not only for me, but for the new leaders, the way in which we are going to shape politics. That is yet to come and that is bold and people-focused."
For his part, Mayor Gee said he was honored to be back on the bench and again as Mayor and that he looks forward to working with all of his colleagues to continue the work that the Council has done on so many different issues.
«An elected position is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work, does it take a lot of perseverance? So I reflected on the role of local government, to me one of the most important things we can do to make sure our residents and businesses feel safe. And that when they call 911, that fire and police respond in a timely manner, be sensitive, be equitable in the services that we provide to everyone who lives here in Redwood City."
“Our city is rich and diverse, and we need to stay connected to our communities. We need to be able to connect and listen to the needs and interests of everyone in Redwood City."
Finally, Mayor Gee noted that the Council must continue to create housing opportunities to accommodate the unhealthy and those with limited income, as well as plan and invest in infrastructure and the public transportation network, and ensure that the city is financially sustainable and viable.
In her opportunity, the councilor Kaia Eaki said “it is a great honor to be here and in fact I am so happy that I want to sing. I am very, very aware that I am standing on the shoulders of many devoted Redwood City leaders who came before me. I can only wait to prove myself worthy of his great legacy."
“I am optimistic that Redwood City's future is strong thanks to its greatest asset, which is us. We are wise and we are resilient. As always, Redwood City faces pressing challenges at this juncture, we have no time to lose, and in this Council I will work with my colleagues to ensure that together we respond to the needs of the community," added the representative of District 5.
For her part, Howard, who has been re-elected for the seventh time, said that, although she has been chosen to represent District 6, "I will continue to see Redwood City in its entirety and will represent the interests of all who reside in our great city." . And I will urge my colleagues to do the same. Redwood City will truly be indivisible. As we move forward, I urge you to stay informed and engaged, the city thrives when the voices of all its residents are heard."
Chris Sturken, who represents District 2, said he ran for office "because I believe everyone deserves to live with dignity and that means having a livable, affordable place to call home." I am here to represent my community. My communities, especially the young tenants and my chosen family, the LGBTQ+ community that I am proud to represent on the Council alongside my colleagues.
He further assured that he looks forward to working with his colleagues on the Council to address the most pressing challenges of our time, including the housing crisis, racism, the increase in hate speech and crimes, and climate change.
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