May 2, 2006 > Newark City Council Meeting

by Susana Nuñez

Presentations and Proclamations:

During last Thursday's meeting, the council was introduced to newly hired police officers Richard Lopez, Gary Mitchell, Britain Jackman, and Shannon Todd. The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Newark for their continuing efforts in the management of tree resources. The foundation has named the city a Tree City U.S.A. for the 18th consecutive year. In celebration of Arbor Day, there will be a public tree planting on the front lawn of the City Administration Building, 15 to 20 feet behind the Veterans Memorial. A proclamation has been prepared and forwarded to the California Department of Forestry.

In addition, May has been proclaimed Older Americans Month.  Members of the Newark Senior Citizen Standing Advisory Committee were at the meeting to accept the proclamation. Latinos Unidos de Newark (LUNA) also received a proclamation designating April 30 through May 6 as Cinco de Mayo Week in the city of Newark. 

Congress and the President Bush designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.  Police Chief Ray Samuels accepted this proclamation honoring law enforcement officers both past and present. Also, police officer Boga, the city of Newark's D.A.R.E. and GREAT officer, presented an update on these programs.