GUY CARROZZO -- Mayor’s Column

This is my last mayor’s column because I complete my mayoral term Dec.

5.

As many of you know, when I was installed as mayor on Dec. 7, 1999,

Pearl Harbor Day, I dedicated my term to American veterans.

Throughout the year, our community saluted its veterans in many ways.

The banners along Slater Avenue at the Civic Center and on Brookhurst

Street at Mile Square Park declare that Fountain Valley honors its

veterans. In addition, every month at the Mayor’s Breakfast, a veteran

from each of the military branches was the featured speaker.

These public breakfast meetings were always well-attended -- more

testimony that Fountain Valley appreciates and honors its veterans.

The city also celebrated the birthday of each military branch, raised

a flag that flew for one week at City Hall in recognition of each branch

and its anniversary.

Each of these flag-raisings was highly meaningful, but the

flag-raising honoring the Navy, just days after the U.S. warship Cole

tragedy, was most touching.

In addition to raising awareness about Fountain Valley veterans, I

also focused on the role of city government and the important role of

various departments within the city.

Each department manager prepared a column to describe how the

planning, recreation, fire and police departments, among others, operate.

Thank you to all of you who sent back positive feedback. Your comments

were appreciated.

I am pleased to have maintained an open-door policy throughout my

service as your elected representative. This role has afforded me the

opportunity to visit with many of you. And I have thoroughly enjoyed

seeing you in my office, at city functions, out and about in Fountain

Valley, hearing your concerns, getting to know you, and sharing our

mutual appreciation for our community.

Working together, we can continue to keep Fountain Valley “A Nice

Place to Live.” From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for giving me

the opportunity and the privilege to serve you twice as the mayor of

Fountain Valley.

* GUY CARROZZO is the mayor of Fountain Valley.