A New Direction for the City of Guadalupe

John Lizalde took his seat in the mayor’s chair on Tuesday for the first time at the Guadalupe City Council meeting.

Many in Guadalupe are hoping the new mayor will help dig the city out of its deep financial hole.

The transition was expected be a large part of the meeting. It includes a new mayor and two new city council members, Virginia Ponce and Ariston Julian. Both council members previously served on the Guadalupe City Council.

Many in the city are talking about the recently approved tax initiatives and say they’re hopeful for a brighter future.

The city’s financial hardship could be taking a turn in the right direction.

“We have to get the town alive again,” local business owner John Perry said.”When I was a kid it was a really live town.”

Perry, who has owned an auto-parts business for almost 50 years, said people in the city are hopeful.

“I think our new council and mayor are going to do great,” Perry said.

Over the summer, council members proposed three measures to help the city financially.

City Administrator Andrew Carter, said all three measures, V, W, and X, were approved in last month’s election with overwhelming support from voters.

Perry said “People voted for it so they finally put up their dukes and said let’s get ahead for the future and help the community.”

The tax measure all together will get the city $313 thousand according to Carter.

Carter said the measures are critical to balancing the city’s general fund.

The majority of the general fund provides police and fire protection to the community.

“This is a community that is anxious for growth,” Carter said.