July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Ceremonial Swearing-In Held For Incoming Santa Monica Mayor Tony Vazquez:

A ceremonial swearing-in and reception was held for incoming Santa Monica mayor Tony Vazquez on Sunday night at Le Meridien Delfina Hotel.

The event was held on the eve of the one year vote where Councilman Kevin McKeown was elected Mayor of Santa Monica by his fellow council members for a one-year term, with Vazquez elected Mayor Pro Tempore for a one-year term.

The Dec. 9, 2014 vote took place following the swearing-in ceremony of a new Santa Monica City Council with returning members former-Mayor Pam O’Connor and Councilman Kevin McKeown, and new Councilwoman Sue Himmelrich taking office.

The Council opted at that meeting for a different line-up for its second year; council members voted that Mayor Pro Tempore Tony Vazquez will be Mayor and Councilman Ted Winterer Mayor Pro Tempore.

Vazquez will officially take the Mayor’s seat at the Dec. 8, 2015 City Council meeting while Winterer will officially take the Mayor Pro Tempore seat.

At Sunday’s event, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-41st District) provided the swearing-in pre-amble for Vazquez.

“For Antonio ‘Tony’ Vazquez, this ceremony is a reaffirmation of his commitment to the City of Santa Monica and its 90,000 residents,” Roybal-Allard said. “And his commitment to this fine city is one not of words…but of actions and arduous work on behalf of all who reside and do business in Santa Monica.”

The son of immigrants, Roybal-Allard said Vazquez learned at an early age what it means to serve and what it means to forge partnerships for the common good.

“As a former teacher and teacher trainer, Vazquez learned the true power of education; the power to shape thoughts and help young students better understand their role in society,” she said. “As an organizer for the United Way he learned how communities can come together for the common good and make lasting changes that help better daily lives of all people. No community is perfect and no community can survive without those who work on its behalf.”

Vazquez has been a resident of Santa Monica since 1984 and first served on the Santa Monica City Council from 1990 to 1994. He was again elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 2012.

Vazquez has been a strong supporter of controlled growth and affordable housing. He helped add 300 affordable housing units in the city, and was also instrumental in bringing earthquake relief for Santa Monica residents after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

A former School Teacher and teacher trainer, Vazquez is a graduate of the University of Southern California. As a former community planner for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, he facilitated funding for community programs throughout the San Fernando Valley.

As the former District Director for then Los Angeles City Councilman, Richard Alarcon, he was instrumental in revitalizing the poorest areas of the northeast San Fernando Valley and redeveloping the former General Motors plant.

Vazquez also served as the southern California regional director for California Futures Network, which is a non-profit organization that promotes smart growth policy and legislation in the state of California. He has devoted his life to education and quality of life issues and is committed to improving the quality of life issues for all Californians especially those who live in the communities where environmental injustice runs rampant.

Currently Vazquez heads his own political consulting business Vazquez and Associates.

Prolifically active in his community, Vazquez serves or has served on several boards including: Woodcraft Rangers, the San Fernando Valley Opportunity Through Education program (OTE), the San Fernando Valley Habitat for Humanity, Citizens United to Reform Elections, the Parent Teacher Association, Martin Luther King Committee and the Liberty Hill Environmental Justice Funding Board.

Vazquez is married with two children. His son and daughter attended public Schools and his son, like him, graduated from USC. His daughter attended New York University and is a graduate of the Tish Film school class of 2015. His wife Maria is a graduate of Hastings School of Law and currently serves on the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School Board. Vazquez is proud of his Mexican heritage and his immigrant parents who worked hard to put him and his siblings through college.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...