Local News in Brief : San Fernando Names Activist Latino to City Planning Panel
The leader of a Latino community group in San Fernando who successfully lobbied for an ordinance to control liquor sales was appointed Monday by the San Fernando City Council to the city planning commission.
Ray Silva, 44, who last year formed the organization called Vecinos Unidos, meaning United Neighbors, to fight alcohol and drug abuse in the city, said he hopes his presence on the commission will encourage participation by other Latinos.
“Specifically, among the Hispanic community, there needs to be an awareness pertaining to health and safety,” he said. “I think we need to participate in these local decisions.”
The planning commission appointment is the first public office for Silva, an employee of the Department of Water and Power. He won the seat by a 4-1 vote, with Councilwoman Camilis Noltemeyer dissenting.
Silva has appeared before the council several times in the past year to argue against allowing new liquor stores in the city. Council members, who voted last month to require stores to obtain city permits before selling alcoholic beverages, said that the lobbying by Silva and his group proved instrumental in their decision.
“Now the commission will begin to be representative of the community,” said Jess Margarito, the council’s only Latino member.
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