Annual 'Meet Your City Officials' Luncheon a Sunny Success

A few days ago, we were bombarded with unseasonable, torrential rain. In a day or so, temperatures will reach 90 degrees. Yet, on June 30, the weather was being exceptionally reasonable for the annual “Meet your City Officials” Luncheon sponsored by the Washington Healthcare Foundation. 

Held at , city officials, Chamber members and local business owners dined on a barbecue lunch under a white tent located right next to the city’s skate park. 

The sound of teenage boys kick-flipping and skating across the cement was accompanied by bass provided by a DJ. All this taking place as people mixed and mingled while discussing the current and future economic realities and possibilities for Union City.

“If you have an idea that will make the business community better, speak up,” said Mayor Mark Green to those in attendance at the luncheon on Thursday. 

Mayor Green spoke of , which he dubs the “Stop the Bleeding” budget, the possibility of new construction bids for the area on the East side of BART, and a few other business-related items in what sounded like an informal, mini state-of-the-city address. 

“This is the perfect chance to meet with the mayor, the police chief and other city officials on a more direct level. So often, all the public hears about is the city making cuts, not what they’re trying to do right. We’re all in this together," said the Chamber’s Vice Chair, Dr. Nejad Abdollah of .

The event also highlighted new We Love Organics program, which features new, easy-to-use, clearly marked organic and recyclable material receptacles. 

The program encourages businesses, schools and institutions to reduce waste, said Richard Valle, CEO of Tri-CED and former City Council member.

Organized each year by the Union City Chamber of Commerce, the day went better than expected, said Dana Hernandez, the Chamber's executive director.

“Like the mayor mentioned in his speech, we saw a lot of old faces here today,” Hernandez said.