San Fernando : Chacon Is Named Mayor by Council

Rosa Chacon has been appointed mayor of San Fernando, becoming just the second Latina mayor in the city’s history.

Last year, Joanne Baltierrez became the first Latina to hold the mostly symbolic, honorary post. The five-member City Council chooses a new mayor and mayor pro tem each year.

The mayor wields no more power than other council members, but acts as the city’s chief booster and spokesperson. The mayor also chairs council meetings and presides at other city assemblies.

Chacon was nominated by Councilman Ray Ojeda and won the approval of the other three City Council members present at the council meeting Monday.

Raul Godinez, who was out of town, was appointed mayor pro tem with the unanimous approval of those at the meeting.

Last year, Godinez and several city residents protested when Chacon was bypassed for the mayor’s post in favor of Baltierrez.

Chacon had served the previous year as mayor pro tem, and the city has traditionally treated the mayor pro tem position as a steppingstone to the mayor’s post.

The mayor pro tem chairs council meetings in the absence of the mayor.

“The toughest thing about being mayor is relating to the media,” joked Doude Wysbeek, who nominated Godinez for the mayor pro tem position.

“It’s mostly a lot of ribbon-cutting, picture-taking, and chairing meetings,” added Wysbeek, who has served as mayor twice.