Post by coveresident on Aug 22, 2006 10:45:25 GMT -8
Four hundred people including family, friends, community leaders and supporters attended Azusa Council member and mayor pro-tem Joe Rocha’s kick-off celebration on Saturday the 19th at Pioneer Park. Rocha announced that he is running for Mayor of Azusa in March 2007.
“I have decide to run for Mayor after receiving numerous requests to do so from my constituents, friends and family, said Rocha. "The support I have received is overwhelming and I am truly honored."
Bricks and mortar without heart and soul is wrong for Azusa was one of the leading themes during Rocha’s presentation. “My constituents have expressed to me that they are comfortable with my ideas for our continued growth and direction that will provide more economic development for the city. I will ensure that the will of the citizens, which was given during the Future Fiesta, Citizen’s Congress and General Plan meetings, is carried out. Azusans do want growth! They want a major supermarket, retail shopping, and housing opportunities for young adults starting a family. They want moderate priced senior housing, a teen center and expanded recreational activities along with added library hours and resources, rather than less. I will continue to honor our military heroes and their families, to establish a bond with our educational institutions and most of all, to listen when they speak."
Rocha has served as an Azusa City councilman for 10 years. He is proud of the many programs he has spearheaded including the Azusa Pacific University (APU) Scholarship program aimed at attracting the best graduating seniors from Azusa and Gladstone high schools to APU with a $5,000 scholarship. He has also taken a strong stance on smart growth when it comes to new developments in the city. He voted against the original Rosedale project, which would have resulted in overly dense housing. However, the second time around he fully supported the new Rosedale project because it was a better plan and included the input from city residents. I want smart growth but I am not willing to jeopardize the cities future to benefit the developers” said Rocha.
A lifelong Azusan, Rocha has led numerous efforts to help beautify the city, honor veterans and feed the needy. His monthly volunteer clean up program helps beautify the city and plant trees. Through his leadership he has helped Azusa gain recognition as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. He spearheaded the shopping cart ordinance that has reduced the number of abandoned shopping carts around the city. He continues to honor veterans through the Azusa Monument Committee and various veteran programs. He is dedicated to helping others and helps feed the needy with his food bank efforts. He recently launched Azusa Beautiful to promote a clean, safe and healthy Azusa (www.azusabeautiful.org) This is to give our city a beautiful curb appeal to prospective homebuyers, retail shoppers and potential business owners. His goal is to have Azusa recognized at the national level with an “All American City” award.
When elected Rocha will concentrate on continued growth plans for the City, such as ensuring that the Monrovia Nursery plan is built as specified; beautification projects for our parks, downtown, and blighted areas.
Rocha is a graduate of Azusa public schools and the University of La Verne. He has taught in the Azusa Unified School District for 38 years.
“I have decide to run for Mayor after receiving numerous requests to do so from my constituents, friends and family, said Rocha. "The support I have received is overwhelming and I am truly honored."
Bricks and mortar without heart and soul is wrong for Azusa was one of the leading themes during Rocha’s presentation. “My constituents have expressed to me that they are comfortable with my ideas for our continued growth and direction that will provide more economic development for the city. I will ensure that the will of the citizens, which was given during the Future Fiesta, Citizen’s Congress and General Plan meetings, is carried out. Azusans do want growth! They want a major supermarket, retail shopping, and housing opportunities for young adults starting a family. They want moderate priced senior housing, a teen center and expanded recreational activities along with added library hours and resources, rather than less. I will continue to honor our military heroes and their families, to establish a bond with our educational institutions and most of all, to listen when they speak."
Rocha has served as an Azusa City councilman for 10 years. He is proud of the many programs he has spearheaded including the Azusa Pacific University (APU) Scholarship program aimed at attracting the best graduating seniors from Azusa and Gladstone high schools to APU with a $5,000 scholarship. He has also taken a strong stance on smart growth when it comes to new developments in the city. He voted against the original Rosedale project, which would have resulted in overly dense housing. However, the second time around he fully supported the new Rosedale project because it was a better plan and included the input from city residents. I want smart growth but I am not willing to jeopardize the cities future to benefit the developers” said Rocha.
A lifelong Azusan, Rocha has led numerous efforts to help beautify the city, honor veterans and feed the needy. His monthly volunteer clean up program helps beautify the city and plant trees. Through his leadership he has helped Azusa gain recognition as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. He spearheaded the shopping cart ordinance that has reduced the number of abandoned shopping carts around the city. He continues to honor veterans through the Azusa Monument Committee and various veteran programs. He is dedicated to helping others and helps feed the needy with his food bank efforts. He recently launched Azusa Beautiful to promote a clean, safe and healthy Azusa (www.azusabeautiful.org) This is to give our city a beautiful curb appeal to prospective homebuyers, retail shoppers and potential business owners. His goal is to have Azusa recognized at the national level with an “All American City” award.
When elected Rocha will concentrate on continued growth plans for the City, such as ensuring that the Monrovia Nursery plan is built as specified; beautification projects for our parks, downtown, and blighted areas.
Rocha is a graduate of Azusa public schools and the University of La Verne. He has taught in the Azusa Unified School District for 38 years.