Mayor's Update: May 2025

Hello, Bell Gardens!

As we say goodbye to May, I’m reflecting on a month full of heart, action, and community. 

On Monday, we honored the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom, and many in our community gathered at Park Lawn Cemetery in The City of Commerce to pay their respects. Thank you to everyone who stood with our veterans and military families in gratitude and reflection.

Join Me: Town Hall This Wednesday!

Before we jump into the update, I want to personally invite you to our next Town Hall Meeting, happening Wednesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at Veterans Park – Ross Hall (6662 Loveland Street).

This is your chance to speak directly with me and city staff, share your concerns, and help shape the future of our city. Bring a neighbor and let’s talk Bell Gardens.

Honoring Moms in BG

To all the incredible moms, abuelitas, tías, and mother figures: thank you. I had the joy of joining beautiful Mother’s Day celebrations hosted by both Vida Sana and Quiosquito Comunitario de Bell Gardens. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—you are the motor oil that keeps this city running. Your care powers our neighborhoods every single day.

Housing Division in Action

I want to give a special shout-out to our Community Development team, especially our Housing Division. They’ve been out there—literally knocking on doors—talking to residents about their rights, encouraging tenant registration, and making sure landlords stay informed. That kind of direct, face-to-face outreach isn’t easy, especially when it’s hot outside, but it’s exactly what real community work looks like. I couldn’t be prouder.

For more information about our rental registry and other housing concerns, visit the city’s housing resources page.

Mexican Consulate in Bell Gardens

We’re thrilled to announce that BG will be partnering with the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles to host the Consulado Sobre Ruedas (Consulate on Wheels) program here in our city. 

This program brings vital services directly into our community, allowing residents to access consular assistance without traveling to MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. Services include issuing travel and ID documents, civil registry functions, and processing powers of attorney. 

The program will operate at the Neighborhood Youth Center from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., throughout the month of June.

We’ll kick off with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, June 3. This will be the first of several planned consulate visits this year, with more dates expected later in 2025. 

Road Repairs

Yes, gas prices are high—but we’re putting those state gas tax dollars to work. Thanks to SB1 funding, road repairs are coming to Fostoria Street, Jaboneria Road, Muller Street, Eastern Avenue, and Gephart Avenue. 

These are your gas tax dollars coming back home, reinvested right here in our neighborhoods. Our Public Works team is already getting started, so if you drive by crews at work, just know: your tax dollars are at work.

Facing the Homelessness Crisis—Together

Bell Gardens, like many cities, is struggling with the growing crisis of homelessness—especially on state-owned land where local efforts are often delayed by slow coordination with Caltrans. I’ve been vocal about these challenges, particularly the need for faster, safer responses to encampments along freeways and overpasses that put both unhoused individuals and residents at risk.

That’s why I spoke in support of Senate Bill 569 before the California Senate Transportation Committee. SB 569 would require Caltrans to improve communication with cities, set clear response timelines, and potentially reimburse local governments that take action themselves. I also discussed this important legislation with state Sen. Lena Gonzalez and Asm. Blanca Pacheco during the CalCities City Leaders Summit. 

Bell Gardens needs real solutions—and SB 569 brings us one step closer to a more humane, responsive, and accountable system.

Standing With Essential Workers

I had the honor of standing with thousands of essential workers during SEIU 721’s historic 48-hour Unfair Labor Practice strike—the largest strike in LA County history. 

These frontline workers keep our county running, and they’re demanding what they’ve long earned: dignity, fair contracts, and respect. Their collective action made headlines, pushed negotiations forward, and turned up the pressure on county leadership. 

Bell Gardens stands with labor—always.

Community Pride

We accomplished multiple great park cleanups this month, including at Darwell Park, Gallant Park, and Marlow Park. Rain or shine, we were out there! For the Marlow Park cleanup, we had a really special turnout with students from Bell Gardens High School, including members of the wrestling team. 

We also partnered with our Police Department and Public Works on these efforts, making each cleanup a real team effort. Personally, I was especially glad to be at Gallant Park—it’s the closest one to my home, and it felt good to show some love to that small but important space in our community.

On another note of community pride, The Special Olympics Torch Run is coming up in early June. I’d like to thank Bell Gardens Police Chief Paul Camacho and other BGPD officers who will be running. It’s a beautiful way to support inclusion, athleticism, and unity in our region. 

Small Businesses Shout-outs

For National Small Business Month, I’d like to shout out Olympic Troys Burgers on Gage Avenue. This family-run spot, owned by the Guerrero family, has been an institution in Bell Gardens for over 35 years, serving up classic American burgers and Mexican-inspired comfort food. 

For me—and I know for many others—it’s more than just a place to grab a bite. I’ve got memories of picking up chili cheese fries (with asada on top, of course) back in my school days, and even now, the drive-thru still hits. My mom swears by the sopes, but for me, it’s always been the chili cheese fries.

Troy’s isn’t just a business—it’s part of the fabric of Bell Gardens. Supporting spots like Troys means honoring the families behind them, the stories we share there, and the community spirit that keeps our city strong. Thank you to Angel Guerrero and the entire Troys family for all you do.

I also want to give some love to Rocio’s Mexican Kitchen—also known as La Diosa De Los Moles. If you haven’t tried Chef Rocio Camacho’s food, do yourself the favor. Her menu features more than 10 masterfully crafted mole sauces, a testament to her culinary skill and cultural roots, and has even earned a glowing Michelin review. Bell Gardens is lucky to have a small business that not only feeds the community but also honors tradition through innovation. Chef Rocio’s work is a great example of how small businesses enrich our neighborhoods with passion and creativity.

As always, you can contact me directly at (323) 305-4567 or via email at Jchavez@bellgardens.org. Stayed tuned for more updates. See you in June!

Jorgel Chavez

Mayor, City of Bell Gardens