Cudahy

David M. Silva Frank Gurulé Rosa M. Diaz Osvaldo Condé Juan Romo
Mayor Vice Mayor Council Member Council Member Council Member

News

$1.00 / Free to residents A Community of Pride JUNE 2008

A Message from
George Perez,
Cudahy City
Manager

S
ummer has arrived in
the City, and Cudahy is
ready for you and your
family with improved recre-
ational facilities, safe parks,
and family-focused events
all summer long.
At Cudahy Park, a brand
new, modern basketball court
is already a favorite with kids
and adults, and a new bike
path following the LA River
now connects Cudahy with
Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
Cudahy is celebrating our
Nation’s 232nd Birthday, In-
dependence Day, on Thurs- YOUNG CUDAHY RESIDENT WINS FREE BIKE: Kids, Parents joined the Cudahy City Council along with Supervisor Gloria Molina’s

day, July 3rd at Cudahy Park
starting at 3PM with pony
rides, jumpers, a petting
zoo, game booths, and food.
Then our fabulous fireworks
display will begin at 9PM.
But as always, Cudahy is
constantly improving our
city and bringing new shop-
ping opportunities to our
residents.
I’m proud to announce
that as part of our on-going
public safety program, Cuda-
hy will be installing state-of-
the-art flash warning lights
in several crosswalks near
our schools and parks.
The flashing lights are in-
stalled just below the pave-
ment and will signal to driv-
ers over 100 feet away that
pedestrians are crossing.
Triggered wirelessly, all a pe-
destrian does is start crossing
See Message, Page 3
Healthy Living
office to officially open Cudahy’s section of the new “Waterfront Bike Path.” 4 bicycles were given-away to lucky winners.
Cudahy Dedicates and Opens New Basketball Courts
and Urban Bike Path As Part of New City Initiative
Outdoor Recreation Area
Developed In Partnership
With Supervisor Gloria
Molina’s Office and
California Prop A Funds
Hundreds of Cudahy chil-
dren and parents joined the
Mayor and City Council to ded-
icate the new basketball courts
at Cudahy Park and “Water-
front” Bike Path.
Cudahy Park’s new basket-
ball courts and Bike Path are
part of the city’s effort to pro- CUDAHY OPENS NEW BASKETBALL COURT: 7 basketballs were given away to Cudahy
vide spaces that promote phys- children at the Grand Opening of the new Basketball Court at Cudahy Park.
ical activity.
As part of the celebration basketballs. Safety helmets were later interviewed by Channel 52.
Cudahy kids, Ages 4-17 who given to bicycle winners. Representing Los Angeles
attended were entered into a “I’m very excited that I won,” County Supervisor Gloria Molina’s
drawing to win a bicycle and said [name of winner] who was See Program, Page 3

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inside on Calendar, page 4

Page 2
LOCAL NEWS
The Cudahy Youth Foundation is
sponsoring two young men with
part-time summer jobs. Residents
will see Manuel Buenrostro Jr., 21,
and David Contreras, 16, at city
events and meetings as they as-
sist city staff and work on projects
throughout Cudahy. Just recently
they repainted rooms at Clara and
Lugo parks.
Gessner Named...
“Woman of
the Year”
Cudahy resident Michele
Gessner was named 2008 Wom-
an of the Year by State Assem-
blyman Hector De La Torre. At a
luncheon hosted by De La Torre
at the Downey Country Club,
Gessner was recognized for her
“outstanding work in the com-
munity.”
“I was so surprised by the hon-
or,” remarked Gessner, but any-
one who knows here would not
be surprised.
A 48 year resident, Gessner has
spent countless hours volunteer-
ing to make our city a great place
to live. A Planning Commissioner,
Parks & Recreation Commissioner,
and Volunteer on Patrol, Michele
Gessner can be seen at almost ev-
ery city event. She’s a regular vol-
unteer at the Food Distribution
program, and has given her time
to youth and senior programs
thought the years.
Most recently, Michele Gess-
ner took on the responsibility for
Cudahy’s senior programs.
“I’ve never won an award like
this my entire life,” said Gessner,
“all of the awardees before me
are great people…it’s such and
honor to be included with them.”
Cudahy News
Residents Participate in Town
Hall & Neighborhood Watch
Every Month, over a hundred
Cudahy citizens, young and old,
participate in the Town Hall &
Neighborhood Watch meeting
held at Clara St. Park.
Conveniently held the 4th
Thursday of every month, the
meeting offers residents an in-
formal opportunity to ask ques-
tions about their city and to get
information.
The City Council, city staff,
and the Police Chief are always
on-hand to discuss the needs of
Cudahy residents.
The May Town Hall meeting
featured presentations from the
Coalition for Clean Air, Latino
Behavioral Health Institute, and
the Los Angeles Vector Control
District.
As always, a raffle was held at
the end of the meeting. Cudahy Police Chief and Officers meet with Cudahy kids at Town Hall meeting.
Cudahy Boxing Club Fights to Keep Kids Off Streets
Teaching kids discipline and
hard work, Coach Daniel Cordon
volunteers his time teaching the
fundamentals of Boxing to Cuda-
hy children and young adults.
With over 20 years experience,
Coach Cordon provides an posi-
tive alternative to gangs
The Cudahy Boxing Club meets
at Lugo Park Monday through
Friday 4:30PM to 6:30PM and
6:30PM to 8:30PM. Anyone inter-
ested may sign up at Cudahy City
Hall.
Pictured: Cudahy residents
Adrian Hernandez 18 and Ray-
mond Diaz 16 spar at Cudahy’s
Boxing Club located at Lugo
Park.
The Cudahy News is published by the City of Cudahy. It is mailed to every residence in the City of
Cudahy for free. Non Residents who wish to subscribe should contact
We welcome comment, press releases, and community interest stories and will make every effort to
include all appropriate material.
For Comments and Story Ideas, please contact:
City of Cudahy Graffiti Hotline
5220 Santa Ana Street (323) 771-7867
Cudahy, CA 90201
(323) 773-5143 Cudahy Police Department
4835 Clara Street (next to Turner Hall)
Mayor David M. Silva 24Hr Emergency: (323) 562-5005
Vice Mayor Frank Gurulé
Council Member Rosa M. Diaz
Council Member Juan Romo Cudahy Parks & Recreation
Council Member Osvaldo Condé Clara Street Park (323) 562-2660
Lugo Park (323) 562-5679
City Manager George A. Perez Cudahy Park (323) 773-5143 x233
Cudahy News
CITY BUSINESS
C-Mart Grocery:
Selling Convenience
J
orge Ramirez and his
wife Estela have always
wanted to open their
own business in Cudahy,
and a year and a half ago the
Ramirez family took over
C-Mart Grocery on the
corner of Wilcox Ave. and
Santa Ana Street.
“Having lived in Cudahy for
many years, we just wanted
to bring convenience to local
residents,” said Ramirez.
And convenience is what
you get.
Open Monday through
Sunday from 8:30 AM to
9:30PM to “accommodate
our customers,” C-Mart
offers products from Mexico,
Guatemala, El Salvador, and
many other Latin American
Local Business Provides
DMV Services in Cudahy
M
otor Vehicle Regis-
tration & Insurance
Services is your
one-stop for your
driving needs.
When Cudahy residents need
DMV services, they don’t have to
wait in long lines. A short visit
to Motor Vehicle Registration &
Insurance Services on Atlantic
Boulevard will get them on their
way.
For over 11 years, Rosa and
Adan Melendez have offered
motor vehicle services for the
convenience of Cudahy residents
and out-of-town visitors.
Auto registration, title trans-
fers, VIN verification, and auto
Program
continued from page 1
Office was David Vela.
“We’re proud to be partnering backyards. So it’s important that
with the City of Cudahy on this we take advantage of opportuni-
river revitalization project,” Vela ties like this one, where the county
countries.
The Mexican chips “Takis”
are very popular with kids
said daughter Jasselyn
Ramirez, while adults
purchase International Calling
Cards.
The neatly arranged
shelves offer products found
in larger stores. Milk, eggs,
cheese, bread, beans, rice, and
many name brand products
are just a short walk from
home. Many customers stop
by on their way home from
work to pick up items for
dinner.
Ramirez is thankful for
the “nice people” who shop
his store and to the City of
Cudahy for their support of
small businesses in the city.
insurance are just a few of the
services they provide. With many
commercial truck drivers living
in Cudahy, the Melendez family
specializes in truck permits, ap-
portion plates, and out of state
said. “Cudahy is situated in one
of the most densely populated
sections of the county, where
residents—especially apartment
dwellers—often rely on public
parks to take the place of private
The C-Mart team is proud to serve.
truck permits.
“We’re helping to keep the
roads safe,” said Adan Melendez,
referring to the truck services.
When truck drivers come from
out-of-state, they need permits
in California, permits they can
get at Motor Vehicle Registration
& Insurance Services.
Along with daughter Pauly-
na, the Melendez family makes
it their business to help Cudahy
residents.
Located at 7910 Atlantic Blvd.,
Unit L, Motor Vehicle Registra-
tion & Insurance Services is open
9AM to 6PM, Monday through
Friday, and 10AM to 3PM on Sat-
urday. Phone (323) 773-5500.
and the city leverage each other’s
dollars to create park space that is
direly needed.”
The City is supporting the
community of Cudahy and its
youth by creating spaces where
children can play and be healthy.
Other aspects of the City’s health
initiative include new parks to be
Page 3
Message
continued from page 1
when it’s safe to do so...the lights
automatically flash.
Tentatively we are targeting the
warning light installations on Eliza-
beth Street, Santa Ana, and Live
Oak.
Providing our children excel-
lent school facilities is important
to our City Officials. Supporting
the School District, Cudahy was
on hand at the groundbreaking
of a new Elementary School and
Early Education Center at Live Oak
and Cudahy. Set to open in sev-
eral years, the new school will serve
Cudahy children and promises to
keep class sizes smaller…making for
a better learning environment.
Attracting new shopping and
businesses is a City priority as well
as improving and supporting our
existing businesses.
In the near future, the city is
looking at a new 74 acre retail
shopping development coming to
the Atlantic Ave. and Patata Street
area.
And, a facelift for the shopping
center on the corner of Atlantic
Blvd. and Hartle Ave. will bring
those existing businesses into the
modern look developing along Cu-
dahy’s Atlantic business corridor.
Enjoy the summer in the City,
and always come to your City Hall
for any assistance. Our door is al-
ways open.
Page 4 Cudahy News

CALENDAR
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

Cudahy City Calendar

Just Recently...
For Up-To-Date Information,
Please Call City Hall At
(323) 773-5143.

Every Saturday 4 year old Alexa and 2 year old

Swap Meet (except rain)
Clara Street Park, Cristian Ceja enjoyed the thrills of
4835 Clara Street Cudahy’s Spring Festival held at Lugo
7AM to 3PM
Park May 28th to June 2nd.
Every Week
Cudahy Lunch Program
(18 & under)
Cudahy Family Firework Festival
Monday to Thursday
Cudahy Park, Bedwell Hall, July 3 @ 9pm
5220 Santa Ana St.

Monday to Friday
Clara St. Park,
4835 Clara Street
12PM to 1PM

Every Week
Senior programs
Clara St. Park,
4835 Clara Street
11AM to 2PM

Monday through Friday
Senior Lunch
Clara St. Park,
4835 Clara Street
12 Noon to 1PM,
Residents: $2.00
Guests: $3.50

JUNE JULY
25 Cudahy Town Hall & Neighborhood Watch Meeting 3 Cudahy Family Firework Festival
Clara St. Park, Turner Hall Cudahy Park
6:45PM 3PM start
9PM Fireworks
26 Cudahy Food Distribution Program
Clara St. Park, 4835 Clara Street 23 Cudahy Town Hall & Neighborhood Watch Meeting
8AM—Seniors Clara St. Park, Turner Hall
10AM—General Public 6:45PM

28 Community Excursion 24 Cudahy Food Distribution Program

Los Angeles Dodgers v. Anaheim Angeles Clara St. Park, 4835 Clara Street
Cost: $10 per person 8AM—Seniors
Cudahy Park, 5220 Santa Ana St 10AM—General Public
Arrive at 5:15PM for check-in
Departure at 5:30PM 27 Parents’ Day
Return at 11PM

AUGUST SEPTEMBER
27 Cudahy Town Hall & Neighborhood Watch Meeting
Clara St. Park, Turner Hall 1 Labor Day
6:45PM
7 Grandparents’ Day
28 Cudahy Food Distribution Program
Clara St. Park, 4835 Clara Street 11 Patriot Day
8AM—Seniors
10AM—General Public 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month Begins