Blanco Named Alhambra Mayor

Councilman Michael Blanco became mayor Monday night under a system in which the mayor’s seat is rotated every nine months among the five council members.

Blanco, a 39-year-old attorney, is the first Latino to serve as mayor in the city’s 86-year history.

He replaces Councilman Talmage Burke, who was reelected in November to his 10th council term.

Blanco, first elected to the council in 1984, is serving his second four-year term.

At Monday’s council meeting, Blanco said that as mayor, he will focus on residential improvements by developing a low-cost home-improvement loan program.

He also stressed a need for child-care facilities and day-care services for senior citizens. He plans to appoint a committee to examine how the city can meet these needs.