Hello Watsonville, as this is my last column as your mayor. I want to start by stating that it has been my absolute privilege to serve as your mayor. Working with a great City Council, we tackled many issues this past year.
For only the second time in Watsonville's history, the City Council will be led by two women, and for the first time by two Millennial Latina women. Vanessa Quiroz-Carter, 37, and Maria Orozco, 35, were sworn in to their new roles as mayor and mayor pro tempore respectively at Tuesday's meeting as part of the city's annual reshuffling of leadership.
Watsonville Mayor Pro Tempore Vanessa Quiroz Carter will be elevated to the rank of mayor, and District 3 Councilwoman Maria Orozco will ascend to the title of mayor pro tem.
This year's festivities include a performance by local folklorico group Ángeles Danzantes, a welcome message by Mayor Eduardo Montesino, an appearance by Santa Claus and another special guest and, of course, the lighting of the tree. Additionally, the Watsonville Farmers Market will be taking place on the streets surrounding the plaza, and a winter preparedness resource event will also be held in the plaza from 3:30 to 7 p.m.