Calexico City Council chooses Camilo Garcia as new councilmember

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Calexico City Council has appointed a Camilo Garcia to take the place of former member David Romero.

Romero resigned from the council earlier this month after pleading guilty to taking a bribe in exchange for opening a cannabis dispensary in the valley.

Garcia's term is only for six months but he is making plans to run for the two-year term in November.

“I want to make sure that I help the businesses, I help the people get back into jobs help and improve their quality of life because that’s what I’m all about also I have my family here also, we don’t plan to go anywhere so what I want for my family that’s what I want for my fellow Calexicans,”said Garcia.

Camilo was born in Pueblo, Mexico, lived in New Jersey for 20 years and has been living in Calexico for the last 20 years-he describes Calexico as home.

“Being able to go out being able to just run into people and say hi you know that was something that really got my attention when I came here I remember I used to go out and just around Calexico and people would say hi and in the big city you know I never experienced that.”

Camilo works at the Imperial County Workforce Development- he says his work has inspired him to continue his efforts of increasing jobs and stimulating economic growth for the city of Calexico.

“I state this before it's not that it’s not business-friendly but you know I think there's work to be done there and I’m going to champion that I want to make sure that we are a welcoming city to businesses and to everyone for that matter.”

There will be four seats in the council up for re-election in November.