Since the fall of 2008, we all have been experiencing the worst recession in seventy years. I am not an exception in this economic downturn. Several tenants in shopping centers that I own (all outside of Cerritos) have already filed for bankruptcy. The video rental chain Blockbuster has announced that it will close 300 of its stores in January 2010, one of which is my tenant and its closure will impact me very seriously.

Government has also been hit hard. The Federal, State, City and all other governmental entities have encountered financial problems and have had to lay off employees and cut programs. The City of Cerritos is not immune from this deep recession, and has faced three big challenges: a reduction in sales tax revenue, decreased interest income, and the State’s unjust seizure of local revenues. The City Council had to adopt a reduced budget of $124.6 million for fiscal year 2009-2010, which is $16 million less than the previous year's budget. However, I am proud to say that despite the current economic situation, the City of Cerritos has continued to provide high-quality services to its residents without laying off even a single employee.

In 2009, the City received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the United States Conference of Mayors and the Team Accomplishment Award at the Public Service Recognition Week Luncheon. In addition, Cerritos was named a Playful City USA for the 2nd year in a row and a Tree City for the eleventh year in a row. The Cerritos Library attained a five-star rating in the Library Journal’s new national rating of public libraries.

This past summer, Transpacific Development Corporation completed the construction of a new five-story Class A office building with approximately 91,334 square feet of commercial office space in the Cerritos Towne Center. The top of the building is enhanced by an artistic dome structure accented with a sculpture titled “Undulating Spire.” At the Los Cerritos Center, a new Nordstrom is set to open in the spring, along with 36,500 square feet of additional shops and restaurants. In the Civic Center, the 9,000-square-foot expansion of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center is nearing completion.

The Cerritos City Council approved the Green Cerritos Program, which provides residents and business owners with information, resources and incentives regarding green building techniques and methods. The City also launched a redesigned website with a new, streamlined address of www.cerritos.us. The new website features an improved navigation system and a colorful, contemporary design.

For the New Year, 2010, we will face new challenges and opportunities. Although some economists have claimed that technically, the recession is "very likely over," I feel that we should very carefully monitor the unemployment rate and the commercial property foreclosure rate. In an effort to balance the state budget, the State of California has taken action to seize $14 million from the City of Cerritos and Cerritos Redevelopment Agency over the next two years. The City should also continue to monitor the state’s budget crisis and actively protect the City’s funds

I am fully confident that the City of Cerritos will continue to ensure that Cerritos residents receive the high level of service that they expect and deserve. I am very honored and humbled to serve our wonderful and diverse community and truly enjoy working with people from all walks of life. I promise another year of dedication, hard work and commitment in working together towards a better future.

I am thankful to all of you for your support and appreciate the trust that you have placed in me. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a blessed New Year of good health and prosperity.



Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Mayor Pro Tem, City of Cerritos

 

Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho Completed a Nine Day Simbang Gabi to Pray for Our Community

This year's Simang Gabi was very emotional for Fr. Johnny Zulueta and his associate priests who will have to leave the parish at the end of June 2010. The Vincentian Fathers of the Philippine Province have decided not to renew the contract with Cardinal Roger Mahony to administer the Holy Family Catholic Church beyond June 30, 2010. The priests showed their special appreciation to church members by singing carols at the end of mass on day 8 (December 22, 2009). .

(From left: Fr. Victor Pacheco, Fr Anthony Gaspar,
Fr Johnny Zuluera and Fr Faustino Martin sang carols)
 

Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho Sponsored his 5th Annual Neighborhood Holiday Party

On December 19, 2009, Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho and his wife, Lucy, hosted their 5th Annual Neighborhood Holiday Party at their private residence. About sixty Cerritos residents enjoyed the caroling performed by ten young children who were led and accompanied on the piano by their teacher, Jae Young Lee. In the middle of the caroling, Lucy Cho surprised the guests at the party when she played the auto harp.

Some of the attendees at the party included: Hawaiian Gardens Mayor Victor Farfan, Mayor Pro Tem Michiko Oyama Canada, Councilman Mike Gomez, La Palma Councilman Larry Herman, ABC Unified School District Board member James Kang, former Cerritos Mayor Diana Needham, Cerritos Sheriff's Station Captain Joe Gonzales, Cerritos Property Preservation Commissioner Al Barlevy, Ph.D., Planning Commissioners Kenneth Cha and Cindy Yen Chen, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Nick Kim, Economic Development Commissioner Pat Patnaik, Fine Arts Commissioner Julietta Williams, Community Safety Committee Members Chong Sop Yi and Richard Yu, Ph.D., Let Freedom Ring Committee Members Samuel Kim and Dan Joves, and LA County Commissioner Ki Chum Kim, Ph.D..
 

Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho Hosted a Reception for Assemblyman Ted Lieu, a Candidate of Attorney General

(Assemblyman Ted Lieu (4th from right in front row) with supporters at the reception)
 

Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho
Presented a Proclamation to SAHARA
for its work in Prevention and
Education of Domestic Violence

On December 3, 2009, Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho presented a proclamation to the South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency (SAHARA) on behalf of the City of Cerritos. SAHARA is a non-profit organization founded and directed by South Asian professionals who volunteer, help and serve the growing South Asian community in Southern California to empower underserved women by promoting computer literacy, intellectual growth, creativity and self-discipline so that women can achieve greater independence. Since its inception in 2006, it has responded to approximately 40,000 service calls related to domestic violence and assisted more than 350 unique walk-in clients.

(Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho with board of directors of SAHARA at the reception)
 

St. Paul Evangelical Community Church Sponsored its 6th Annual Christmas Celebration for the Indonesian-American
and Chinese-American Communities

(Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho with Rev. David Hartono at the reception)
 

Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho
In Various Community Activities

Cerritos Chamber of Commerce Holiday Luncheon

Date: December 3, 2009 11:30 AM
Place: Sheraton Hotel
          Cerritos, California

(Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho with Chamber Executive Director Catherine Gaughen (left most), and Councilmembers Carol Chen and Jim Edwards,)
 

Assemblyman Tony Mendoza
Annual Open House and Toy Drive

Date: December 3, 2009 5:00 PM
Place: Assemblyman Mendoza's District Office
          Norwalk, California

Cerritos Library Awards Reception for
The Short Story and Art Contests for Children

Date: December 7, 2009 7:00 PM
Place: Cerritos Library Skyline Room
          Cerritos, California

Cerritos Chamber of Commerce Holiday Mixer

Date: December 10, 2009 5:00 PM
Place: Sheraton Hotel Grille 91 Restaurant
          Cerritos, California

Cerritos Optimist Club Holiday Dinner

Date: December 10, 2009 6:00 PM
Place: Cerritos Library Skyline Room
          Cerritos, California

(Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho with former Cerritos Mayor Sherman
Kappe and Cerritos Optimist Club Treasurer Marty Flax)

1st CEB Meritorious Marine Recognition

Date: December 11, 2009 12:00 PM
Place: Cerritos Sheraton Hotel
          Cerritos, California

Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony

Date: December 17, 2009 7:00 PM
Place: Cerritos, California

Cerritos High School Korean PTA College Preparation Seminar

Date: December 21, 2009 7:00 PM
Place: Living Water Church
Cerritos, California

(Cerritos High School Korean PTA President
Do Kim presented Mayor Pro Tem
Joseph Cho a Plaque of Appreciation)
 

Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho’s
Upcoming Events

1. 121st Annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade
   Date: January 1, 2010 8:00 AM
   Place: Colorado Boulevard
             Pasadena, California
    
2. Korean American Commissioner Association
   Installation Ceremony
   Date: January 5, 2010 6:00 PM
   Place: Garden Suite Hotel
             Los Angeles, California
    
3. US Census Bureau Local Office Open House
   Date: January 6, 2010 1:30 PM
   Place: Long Beach Census Office
             Long Beach, California
    
4. League of California Cities General Meeting
   Date: January 7, 2010 6:30 PM
   Place: MWD Courtyard Cafe
             Los Angeles, California
    
5. City of Artesia 50th Anniversary Time Capsule
   Placement Celebration
   Date: January 9, 2010 10:30 AM
   Place: Old Fire Station #30 Museum
             Artesia, California
    
6. California Contract Cities Legislative Orientation Tour
   Date: January 11 - 13, 2010
   Place: State Capitol Building
   Sacramento, California
    
7. Cerritos Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
   State of the County Supervisor Don Knabe
   Date: January 13, 2010 11:30 AM
   Place: Cerritos Center for Performing Arts
             Cerritos, California
    
8. Martin Luther King, Jr. Labor Breakfast
   Date: January 15, 2010 7:30 AM
   Place: UFCW 770
             Harbor City, California
    
9. Cerritos Korean Community Round Table
   Date: January 16, 2010 6:30 PM
   Place: Mid-Cities Korean Silver Association
            Artesia, California
    
10. Cerritos Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Ceremony
    Date: January 18, 2010 10:00 AM
    Place: Cerritos Civic Center
              Cerritos, California
     
11. 78th United States Conference of Mayors
    Date: January 20 - 22, 2010
    Place: Capital Hilton Hotel
              Washington, DC
     
12. Cerritos Chamber of Commerce Social Mixer
    Date: January 21, 2010 5:00 PM
    Place: Jeepney Asian Grill
              Cerritos, CA