Mayor Menchaca and Vice Mayor Chen (Photo – City of San Gabriel)
The City of San Gabriel ushered in new leadership on Tuesday evening as Denise Menchaca was sworn in as Mayor and Eric L. Chan was appointed Vice Mayor during a City Council meeting at the San Gabriel Council Chambers.
By News Desk
Menchaca, a member of the City Council since 2017, begins her second term as Mayor, having previously led the city during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. At that time, she made history as San Gabriel’s first Latina Mayor. A graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in Accounting, Menchaca also served for eight years on the San Gabriel Unified School District Board and held the role of Los Angeles County Commissioner for Older Adults.
“It’s an incredible honor to serve and represent San Gabriel as Mayor,” said Mayor Menchaca. “As we look toward the future, I’m committed to strengthening our public safety facilities, cultivating a vibrant and sustainable Mission Playhouse, and fostering a thriving, business-friendly community where families, culture, and opportunity can grow, all while honoring the rich history that defines our city.”
Menchaca community involvement includes leadership roles in numerous local organizations such as the San Gabriel Kiwanis Club, La Casa de San Gabriel, 211 LA County, and the San Gabriel Hope Lions Club. As Mayor, she emphasized priorities including infrastructure improvements, enhanced public safety, expanded services for youth and seniors, and fiscal responsibility.
Joining her in city leadership, Vice Mayor Eric L. Chan brings more than two decades of local residency and civic involvement. Elected to the City Council in 2022, Chan previously served nine years on the San Gabriel County Water District’s Board of Directors. He holds a degree in Business Economics and Accounting from UCLA and currently works as an accountant and property manager.
Chan serves as a liaison to the General Plan Update Committee and the Tourism Marketing Improvement District Committee. His stated priorities closely align with those of Menchaca, emphasizing public safety, business development, and cultural inclusivity.
They just voted to take a free trip to Taiwan paid for by Taiwan while we in Arcadia are battling CCP and Taiwan foreign influence! One of our councilmember’s homes was raided by FBI because her fiancé alleged ties ti CCP. He is currently in detention awaiting trail. recently Taiwan Chambers of Commerce gave “Arcadia Fire Dept” $510k, no strings attached but it really went to a non profit run by ex Mayor Sho Tay and current Councilmember Fu. Some of the funds have already gone to the union, NOT Arcadia. Why does a local government need to take a trip overseas? The FBI warns about this stuff. San Gabriel should say NO to any outside influence and focus on running their city and growing their local businesses.