New council members sworn in

Photo courtesy of The City of Madera/Jorge Rojas The Madera city council for 2019 poses Wednesday night after their newly elected members are sworn in. From left are Derek Robinson, Santos Garcia, CeCe Gallegos, Mayor Andy Medellin, Steve Montes, Jose Rodriguez, and Donald Holley.

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An overflow crowd of residents, family and well-wishers filled City Hall Council Chambers on Wednesday night to welcome new Council members Santos Garcia and Steve Montes, and cheer the reelection Council Member CeCe Gallegos. The outgoing council members, Charles Rigby (not present) and Will Oliver were thanked for their service to the Madera community.

Many residents said they were encouraged by the council reorganization, saying they hoped it was a new day and a new direction for The City of Madera.

The city council also welcomed new City Manager Arnoldo Rodriguez to his first official City Council event. Rodriguez had been selected by the previous council in November and had just been sworn in on Monday. The selection of Rodriguez, formerly a senior city planner from Yuba City, marks this as his first job as a city manager.

The meeting and evening concluded early with refreshments in the lobby.