Candidate for
City Council Member; City of Lynwood

Maria Santillan was elected to the Lynwood City Council on September 23, 2003, making history as the first Latina to serve, and the only woman to be elected to this office in the last 10 years. In December 2004, she was appointed by her colleagues to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the year 2005.

Maria Teresa Santillan:

Defeated Corruption in City Hall by leading the recall effort against former councilman Paul Richards who faces federal charges of illicitly pocketing $2.5 million dollars.

Promotes Honesty - instrumental in getting council members salaries lowered once she took office. It was also her idea to cancel all elected officials credit cards to avoid overspending. Limited councilmembers' travel costs - put limited to travel & meetings - when there was so much abuse.

Good working relationship with the Lynwood Unified School District to improve public education. 5 New Schools!

Promoted Better Senior Care and continues to support the creation of the new Senior Center presently under construction that will open Early 2006!

Safer Community - Maria was very instrumental in bringing an "Anti-Gang" unit (4 additional Sheriffs) to work on the gangs and prostitution. Also working with the Sheriffs, School District, Churches and other groups on gang prevention and intervention programs

Mayor Pro-Tem Santillan has pledged her commitment to serve the citizens' best interest; to encourage a strong housing program that provides more incentives for low-income families to purchase new homes in the city; to implement more home improvement programs with opportunities for residents to refurbish their homes; to support new commercial development that will increase the City's tax base; to create programs for the youth as well as the senior citizens; and, to promote a safer community for the residents of Lynwood.