By Jim Tortolano/Garden Grove Journal
“The City of Stanton has been good to me. This is my way of giving back to the community.”
That’s why Rigoberto Ramirez volunteered to fill a vacancy on the Stanton City Council, and he got his chance when he was sworn in Tuesday night,
Ramirez, 43, is filling the spot vacated by Ed Royce, Sr., who resigned earlier this year because of health issues. He was unanimously selected by the council from among three finalists for the jobs.
He comes to the council at a time when the city is reeling from the twin effects of the recession and the abolition of redevelopment agencies.
“I know it’s going to be a challenge to balance the budget,” he said. Earlier this month, the council voted to cut $1 million from annual city spending.
The new councilman’s top priority is public safety, which includes police and fire services, both of which are provided by the County of Orange under contract to Stanton.
He tied safety to economic growth.
“I think when people feel secure, when businesses feel secure, they prosper, they spend money,” he said. “There are some areas of Stanton which are doing very well, and some not quite as well,” he said.
Ramirez was born in Compton and grew up in Long Beach. He works as a regional manager for a retirement services company.
For the last 16 years he has lived in Stanton. A 1990 graduate of Loyola marymount university, he is married with one son.
“Rigo” has been active as a coach and umpire with the Stanton Little League, as well was volunteering with the Challenger baseball program for disabled youngsters,
