About eight years ago, I relocated from San Diego to Santa Clarita with my family. As a mother of four boys, one of the most important things to me was finding a community where my children could grow, receive a strong education, feel safe and have opportunities for their future.
Santa Clarita has become home to my family. It has also become a community I am deeply invested in serving. I am the founder and CEO of Mujer con Legado and chair of the Latino Business Alliance with the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. Through my involvement, I have had the opportunity to meet many leaders, attend events and see firsthand who consistently shows up for our residents.
For approximately four years, I have had the opportunity to observe Gloria Mercado-Fortine in our community, and I am proud to support and endorse her for Santa Clarita City Council District 2. I have seen Gloria at community events, educational meetings and gatherings focused on the future of Santa Clarita. Rain or shine, she is present. When the conversation is about education, preserving our community’s history, strengthening neighborhoods or creating a safer and better Santa Clarita, Gloria is there.
What stands out to me is that Gloria’s commitment is not based simply on promises. She has spent years being involved, listening and working within the community.
As a mother, education is especially important to me. My four sons have benefited tremendously from the educational opportunities available here. Some attended local schools from elementary through middle school, others through high school, and today I am watching them move into higher education and pursue their goals. One attends the University of New Mexico pursuing a path toward nuclear engineering. Another is working toward transferring to UC Davis, while my younger son is still attending high school.
When I see my children progressing academically, I am reminded that strong schools do not happen by accident. They are the result of educators, parents, board members and community leaders who are willing to advocate for students and invest in their future. Gloria has been part of that work, and I am grateful.
I am encouraged by the way she speaks about the future of Santa Clarita. Growth is inevitable. The question is how we manage it while protecting the quality of life that makes families want to live here. Gloria has spoken about improving mobility, creating more walkable areas, planting trees, supporting family-oriented spaces and businesses, strengthening our economy and finding ways for residents to work and spend more of their time here instead of commuting.
What made those ideas especially meaningful to me was a conversation I had with my 18-year-old son Samuel. Before I heard Gloria discuss many of these issues, Samuel had shared almost the same vision with me. He talked about creating more walkable communities, adding trees and gathering spaces, attracting businesses where families can spend time together, and bringing higher-paying jobs to Santa Clarita so young people do not feel they have to leave the community in order to build successful careers.
That conversation stayed with me because our children are the future residents, professionals, business owners and parents of Santa Clarita. We should be asking ourselves an important question: Will the young people we are educating today want to come back and build their lives here tomorrow?
I want my sons to look at Santa Clarita after college and say, “This is where I want to build my career. This is where I want to raise my family.”
That requires thoughtful leadership.
I believe Gloria Mercado-Fortine brings experience, commitment and a genuine understanding of this community. She has not simply appeared during an election season. I have seen her involved, working and showing up for the people of Santa Clarita.
When I support her for District 2, I am thinking not only about today’s residents. I am thinking about my children, our future grandchildren and the generations of families who will call Santa Clarita home.
Claudia Carrillo
Saugus
