Hello everyone. First I want to start this blog by thanking you for taking the time to read it. This is the beginning of what I hope will become a useful and informative way of communicating with you, the Commerce residents that I am honored to serve. A blog is something I've been considering for some time now.
It's easy to see how the Internet has revolutionized communication just by watching how it's bolstered the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. To me, the best thing about it is that it connects people directly with an act as simple as turning on a computer and typing a few words.
To sum it up, this website is a place where we can exchange information by communicating, a goal that isn't always easy to achieve. I understand everyone is very busy with their lives and families, which makes it difficult to attend council meetings or write letters to your council members. I want this site to provide you with an opportunity to communicate with me honestly and directly when you have the time. An easy way to reach me is by sending me an email to tinadelrio@gmail.com. This is the beginning I referred to in the title of this, my first blog.
Now for the two ends. There are two things that need to be put to an end. Our city is facing some unique challenges that need to be stopped in order to preserve the forward progress the City of Commerce is making under the honest leadership of myself, Mayor Pro Tem Aguilar and Councilmember Robert Fierro.
First and foremost the Vernon Power Plant must be stopped! The Vernon Power Plant is an issue that transcends politics. If built this plant will harm the health of everyone in the SouthEast region by spewing over 800 tons of air pollution into our skies.This is the kind of pollution responsible for the asthma, allergies and the cancer that many of us, our friends and families suffer from every day. According to an AQMD study this plant will take between 3 and 11 lives every year it is in operation.
If you look to the right hand column of this page you'll see a survey question that I'd like to ask for your help and participation in. I think it will be an interesting experiment to see how people really feel about the power plant. I'll make sure to share the final results in a future blog.
One of the main reasons I ran for City Council was to fight pollution and help improve our air quality. For me it is deeply personal and close to my heart because like many other Commerce residents, my father died prematurely from cancer caused by the pollution we have in our community. I've been fighting and will continue to do so by working with the rest of the City Council, neighboring cities and local environmental groups like East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice.
I pledge to continue doing everything within my ability to make sure the children and future generations of Commerce don't have to suffer the negative health impacts that have unfortunately and unfairly, become a part of our daily life in Commerce. The city will continue to fight this polluting for profit power plant and keep you up to date on our efforts.
The other reason I ran for Commerce City Council was because I had a vision. I wanted to clean up the corruption our community faced. I find it to be divisive and unproductive. It can bog down the wheels of government, slowing it to a crawl when there are so many opportunities to improve our community. With Council support we've done a great deal to improve the city by maintaining strong law enforcement and fire protection services to keep Commerce safe. We have also established efforts to beautify the city and fight pollution to improve the quality of life for you the residents.
Unfortunately, Robert and I are facing a recall. This recall effort against us is based on lies. I can say with complete honesty that there is no truth to any of the allegations. The people behind this recall, which will cost the city $50,000 are Council Member Hugo Argumedo and his political crony and appointed Planning Commissioner Roger Bagne. These individuals are attempting to bring polluting businesses to Commerce that DO NOT need to be here. As I have pledged to fight the Vernon Power Plant alongside Councilman Robert Fierro and Mayor Pro Team Joe Aguilar, I will fight this misguided and dishonest effort to remove Robert and I from office. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and for your concern for ourcommunity.
Sincerely,
Mayor Tina Del Rio
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