January 23, 2009

Herrera joins City Council to represent District 8

By Bill Highlander
Editor

As we have seen with the new president, the oath of office can be taken more than once Rose Herrera was sworn in three times as a member of the San Jose City Council. First, she took the oath in the presence of her elderly mother in the care facility where she resides. The second time in the City Hall rotunda during a public celebration. And a third time with the five newly elected and reelected members of the Council in the city’s chambers.

Rose Herrera is sworn in as a councilmember for District 8 in the city of San Jose.

The festivities of Herrera’s inauguration on Jan. 13 lasted about two hours as several hundred supporters partook of a luncheon fare of diverse cultural foods. The Evergreen Village Square Tai Chi group, a lion dance, the Mariachi Aztlan and performers from the Sikh Temple provided entertainment.

After the Silver Creek NJROTC presented the colors, Jessica Johnson sang the national anthem, Supervisor Dave Cortese administered the oath of office. Mayor Chuck Reed congratulated Herrera and David Herrera introduced his mother for her inaugural remarks.

Herrera introduced the family members present and her new husband, remarking that Matt Wahlin had kept his campaign promise and they were married on New Year’s Eve in Hawaii.

Herrera reflected on the importance of the event as an opportunity to bring a diverse group of residents together to focus on the issues of the city. She said “ It is about the power of the residents of this great city coming together in celebration and engaging with their government.”

The sound system cut out before Herrera finished her remarks, but the spectators carefully listened as she talked about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

After the ceremony. Herrera left for her first meeting as a city councilmember representing District 8, the third largest district in San Jose.