La Puente : Alderete Elected Mayor

Joe V. Alderete, elected to the La Puente City Council in 1988, has been named to a one-year term as mayor. He had been the junior member on a council of longtime veterans until last week’s election, when three incumbents were swept from office.

“Now, I’m a veteran,” Alderete, 62, said.

Alderete, who was born and raised in the city, retired last year after 22 years as supervisor of operations for the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.

He replaces Max E. Ragland, 70, who served 24 years on the council before his defeat April 10.