<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4GKR2O_0vk970Kx00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4GKR2O_0vk970Kx00" width="1000" height="667" ><figcaption>New Glendale City Councilmember Leandro Baldenegro took to the community by hosting his first district meeting. (Joe McHugh/Staff)</figcaption></figure>New Glendale City Councilmember Leandro Baldenegro held his first district meeting. With numerous city organizations and residents in attendance, Baldenegro interacted with the community on a personal level.“One of the problems I’ve had is that there are a lot of people who didn’t know me, because even when I had my interview with the council, nobody on the council knew who I was,” Baldenegro said.“So now it’s my job to get my name — my face — out there. As I’m getting out there more and more, (the community says), ‘Oh, we know who you are. You live on the corner.’“Then all of a sudden, after they make that connection, and now we’re friends, which is great. So that’s one of the things I’m having to work on still, but I’m OK to work on that. So, I’m like the freshman at a big school, and I’m OK with it.”Baldenegro was unanimously appointed to the Ocottilo District seat following the vacancy left by Jamie Aldama. The lifelong Glendale resident has brought to the table a love of the community, a dedication to public safety and genuine care for serving the residents.With the meet and greet, Baldenegro said he feels that he is further helping establish a positive connection with his constituents.“I met a few people that have been emailing you, so it was nice to finally get put a face to the name,” he said. “We share very similar things ... I know the complaints they’re giving me, because I see them every day. That helps, because now they know I have that perspective, and so we’re going to work together and have those uncomfortable conversations so that we can fix those things little by little.”Baldenegro thanked the various councilmembers who have helped him become accustomed to the proverbial “Councilmember lifestyle” — Ian Hugh and Joyce Clark specifically. He said he especially admires Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers.He said that when he was asked to put his hand on the Bible, he was unsure of which hand to place forward. Instead of sitting back and watching, Weiers “jumped up from his seat” to help, something Baldenegro was grateful for.“Now this is just, this is a step one experience; I have my bearings now and my feet are set in the ground — I’m fine,” Baldenegro said. “Now I’m comfortable with what I’m doing and now I can start knocking on those doors.“I don’t want the publicity or the credit, but I just want people to know, and these are the kinds of things I want to do for (Glendale) and for the community because this is what we’ve always deserved. I love Downtown Glendale. It’s the best place. I’m not going to leave, it’s where I’m staying.”</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Baldenegro hosts first district meeting

New Glendale City Councilmember Leandro Baldenegro held his first district meeting. With numerous city organizations and residents in attendance, Baldenegro interacted with the community on a personal level. “One of the problems I’ve had is that there are a lot of people who didn’t know me, because even when I...