Photo By: Sarah Sanchez
The Presentation of Colors was carried out by the Joint Honor Guard of the Chino Valley Fire District and Chino Police Department.

By Sarah Sanchez

Chino – The Chino Annual Mayor’s State of the City Address was held on the beautiful, sunny afternoon of May 29, at the Chaffey Chino Community Center. The address and luncheon were presented by the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Chino.

The event began with a welcome by Karon Mulligan, Immediate Past Chairman of the Board for the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Joint Honor Guard of the Chino Valley Fire District and Chino Police Department offered up the Presentation of Colors, followed by Mayor Dennis Yates leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Chrisol Lomeli sang the National Anthem beautifully, and then Chaplain Rob Departee of the Chino Valley Fire District, gave the invocation.

Lunch was provided by local Chino business – The Avocado House – where everyone was able to talk and mingle with others in the community. Luncheon sponsors included: Waste Management, Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, Chino Valley Medical Center, Lewis Group of Companies, and the City of Chino. Distinguished table sponsors included: Majestic Realty Co., Frontier Communities, Citizens Business Bank, Southern California Edison, Chino Valley Fire District, Athens Services, Watson Land Company, Southern California Gas Company, Sempra Energy, and the Chino Police Department.

After lunch, Mayor Yates welcomed everyone to the event and introduced all that were in attendance, including members of the Chino City Council, Chino Valley Fire District, Chino Valley Unified School Board, Chino Planning Commission – and Chino Police Chief, Karen Comstock. He explained that the City of Chino is a growing city with a small town feel.

“It’s a city that’s applauded and appreciated,” said Yates.

Yates introduced this year’s State of the City Address theme as, “Chino Safe and Sound.” He explained that the City of Chino is a safe community with Public Safety and First Responders that put their best foot forward, as they regularly give presentations to seniors, schools, local organizations, and community members at no cost. He also said that the City of Chino is financially sound, as their revenue for 2014 exceeded $8.5 million.

After his introduction, he announced well deserved awards to selected groups. The Planning Commission Awards included Best New Residential Development, Edgewood at College Park; Reva Salter “Ma Chino” Architectural Award, Ivy at College Park; Special Recognition Award, Chino Hills Ford Remodel; Best New Industrial Development, Watson Commerce Center; and Best New Commercial Development, Ramona Marketplace. The Mayor’s Home Beautification Award went to Ms. Bernadette Heldon.

Next, a Video Presentation created by Digital Media Services was played to show what makes Chino safe and sound.

“It is because of so many that Chino is safe and sound,” said Yates in the video. “Public Safety, First Respondents, residents, volunteers, and community members are all who make Chino safe and sound.” Chino Police Chief Karen Comstock said that the Police Department and Fire Department also have a fantastic relationship with each other and with the community.

“Having a Police Department who interacts with the city is important to having a safe city,” said Councilman Glenn Duncan in the video, as clips of law enforcement at schools were shown on the screen. The Police Department’s goal is to build relationships with the local children and to show that they are not the bad guys. According to the video, they want to let the public, community and children know they are here to help. “We don’t hire people in to a job; we hire people into a family.”

The Police and Fire Departments facilities were also shown in the video, as $38 million was invested in both departments. There are three fire stations, a state of the art training center, and Police Officers now wear body cameras to help analyze and assess crimes.

After the State of the City Video Presentation, Yates announced the 2014 Spirit of Achievement Honoree, Linda Takeuchi, who has dedicated her time to the City of Chino since the 1970s. She has volunteered in local Commissions, Service Programs, and Girl Scouts, to name just a few. A video was played on her behalf.

The State of the City ended with Yates thanking everyone who helped put the State of the City Address together. But the event wasn’t over until he announced the free gift card that one lucky member of each table received. The gift cards were donated from local businesses in the community, and the Mayor encouraged everyone to continue to support local businesses in order to keep Chino financially sound.

Overall, the State of the City concluded that Chino is a great place to live, shop, work, learn, and to feel – “Safe and Sound.”