Four honored for service to city of Calexico
CALEXICO — There is never a dull moment at this city on the border that bridges two cultures whose residents mingle on a daily basis and make the mercantile communities of the extended region flourish because of its diversity.
The 2017 Lava Lamp Awards christened the “Summer Sonata” was held at the Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center here. It is the final meeting of the 2016/17 year that rings in new leadership for the Chamber of Commerce, noted Hildy Carrillo, executive director.
For the first time in its 23 year history the Lava Lamp Awards ushers in a team of three new leaders. Assuming stewardship from outgoing President Fernando Zavala will be the executive team of Gil Acuna, Eduardo Rivera and Daniel Rivera.
With a troika it is an excellent opportunity that at least one of the team will be present at every function the Chamber hosts remarked Romero.
“Tonight is all about our city,” said Romero. “As a businessman (Customs House Broker), we have to look at the year ahead with a positive outlook and adapt to any change that emerge.”
Of course they want to grow Chamber membership noted Acuna. “Being a border city, events like these brings our entire community together,” said Acuna. “My roots are here, as are my colleagues I’ll be serving with and we’re all honored to serve our neighbors.”
Four business persons were recognized with 2017 Lava Lamp Awards. Eduardo Rivera, criminal defense attorney with more than 30 years of business experience received the Calexico Business Service Award for his many years of community involvement. Bertha Fletes, branch manager of Wells Fargo Bank received the Leadership Award for her advocacy of Calexico and her role as a mentor. Esther Gomez, received the Community Volunteer Award. Gomez a notary public, has a history of attending nearly every public civic event and performing pro bono work for fellow citizens. And then there is El Sol del Valle who received its award in recognition as the first Spanish Language newspaper in the city launched by publishers Felix and Soledad Meza.
Summer being a high season for travel, Wells Fargo is busy as a currency exchange especially for residents from Mexicali going to work on Ships out of Alaska ports, noted Fletes.
“The Chamber is such an important part of the community, the go-to support for workers who often set up direct deposit with new jobs,” she said. “The chamber serves as such a great resource for any city for business start-ups.”
The awards are also a great chance for business persons to network with their elected representatives remarked Calexico City Manager Armando Villa.
“This coming year we have an unprecedented opportunity,” he said. “We have $32 million in public improvement projects scheduled. Los Mercados Shopping Center will be anchored by Cardenas Market with an additional 100,000 square feet of retail space. We’re very excited about that.”
All Chamber events are special noted Carrillo. As of January they have brought in 25 new members. They had a successful Christmas Parade, “All that Jazz.” And Mardi Gras was an unqualified success bringing in the funds to support the Mariachi festival as well as the Women’s Leadership Soiree, aided and abetted by the community’ male partners.
“Life happens, but sometimes we had to change course this year, but we kept moving forward,” said Carrillo.