Duarte City Councilwoman Lois Gaston Assumes Presidency of California Contract Cities Association

Councilwoman Margaret Finlay Receives CCCA’s Roy E. Reynolds Award

Duarte City Councilwoman Lois Gaston is the new president of the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA). Gaston was installed as president in a ceremony held during the CCCA’s 50th Annual Municipal Seminar in Indian Wells on May 17.

CCCA is a collection of 67 member cities representing more than 10 million residents that contract with another public agency or private company for municipal services.

“Meeting the challenges of declining revenues, workforce reductions, and stopping cuts of public safety and other essential services for our member cities are my priorities,” said Gaston. “This coming year California Contract Cities will be heavily engaged in ‘R and R’, revenues and relationships. The protection of local government dollars and finding new revenue sources is paramount. Our partnerships with Independent Cities Association (ICA) and the League of California Cities (LOCC) as well as other municipal groups such as counties and Councils of Governments will be strengthened. Our advocacy with the governor, state legislators, and county leaders statewide will grow. Revenues and relationships are vital to the California Contract Cities mission to serve our member cities,” said Gaston.

Gaston is currently serving her second term on the Duarte City Council. In 2006-2007 she served as mayor of the City of Duarte, the first African American female to be elected to that position in the City’s 50-year history.

Last March, California State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino honored Councilwoman Gaston for her service to the community by naming her the 44th Assembly District “Woman of the Year”.

In a separate ceremony at the CCCA’s 50th Annual Municipal Seminar, Duarte Mayor Pro Tem Margaret Finlay was awarded the prestigious Roy E. Reynolds Award, named after the first president of the Contract Cities Association. Finlay served as president of CCCA in 2004-2005.

Since its establishment in 1958, the CCCA has served as a rallying point for cities contracting for municipal services for the purpose of helping to ensure constituents with the best service at the minimum cost. Through municipal seminars, education, exchange of ideas and information, CCCA combines resources to influence policy decisions affecting the member cities.