*Councilman Aguirre retires after 19 years of service
There have been many changes in the council of Redwood City with the addition of two new members and a change in city leadership that has made history as former Mayor Jeff Gee has passed the torch to Elmer Martinez Saballos to be Redwood City's newest and youngest mayor.
Martinez Saballos is originally from Redwood City and is excited about this new role.
On Monday, when Martinez was sworn in as the new mayor of Redwood City, he gave a speech to the crowd, where he spoke about his origins in an immigrant home and the struggles they went through, as well as sharing his firsthand experiences of seeing his friends leave the city due to the housing crisis, and how he lost friends to gun violence.
"Nowadays, families are leaving Redwood City because they can't afford the rising rents. And I remember walking to Sequoia High School and seeing fewer and fewer classmates who could join us. And I've lost friends to gun violence," she said.
In light of this, Martínez Saballos is so passionate and considers improving housing, public safety and reinvesting in youth to be his main priorities, because he knows that it is essential to continue seeing the city prosper.
The City Hall chambers were filled with memories, laughter and tears when Alicia Aguirre retired from the council after 19 years of service.
Neighbors, friends, colleagues, and even his children came by to say a few words of appreciation for the incredible work he has done for the community.
Her children took the stand to praise her for being a fantastic community leader, grandmother and mother.
In an interview with Peninsula 360 Press, Aguirre said the reason for her retirement is the term limit, but that she is delighted to be retiring. Her greatest achievement in the past 19 years has been "listening to our constituents and our community to see what they want and need and to be able to build the housing we have. For me that is very, very important."
Despite her retirement, Aguirre will remain busy teaching at Cañada College and working with young women to move into leadership positions.
On the other hand, and after a close race between Lissette Espinoza-Garnica and Isabella Chu that was reduced to 15 votes, Chu said she was very grateful to all those who helped her in the campaign.
"I am extremely grateful and appreciate my opponent. She ran a very honorable and clean campaign. She knows that we agree on many things and I plan to work with her," said the current councilwoman for District 3.
Chu's priorities will be related to the community's public health, improving infrastructure and building more affordable housing.
Chu also took the stand during public comment to express his gratitude to Lissette Espinoza-Garnica and all the work she has done for the community, in addition to the clean electoral contest.
Marcella Padilla, who is elected to replace former Councilwoman Alicia Aguirre in District 7, said she is excited and knows she has "big shoes to fill" now that she is in Aguirre's place.
"She's not a very big woman, but her shoes are very big. I hope Alicia continues to be a resource. She's been a great mentor to me and I look up to her and look forward to her guidance, and I really value and respect her," he said.
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