The details
Chester Drash, the lone resident to file for Hollywood Park mayor in the May municipal elections, was sworn into office and led his first regular council meeting May 21.
Drash, an engineer by trade, most recently represented the Place 1 council seat. He succeeds Sean Moore, a former council member who after serving as mayor for two years declined a re-election bid.
City staff presented Moore with parting gifts before he offered a few parting words to council and the audience at City Hall.
Moore thanked fellow elected leaders and city staff for making him feel welcome during his time in public office and for dedicating themselves to maintaining a quality community.
"I appreciate all of you guys. It's been a pleasure to serve with you,” Moore said
Jim Rodriguez, Drash’s appointed Place 1 council replacement, also was sworn into office May 21. A mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineer who owns his own consulting engineering firm, Rodriguez was one of three residents to interview with council to replace Drash on council.
Rodriguez will serve out the rest of Drash’s council term until the May 2025 city elections, but he will have the option of filing for a full two-year term.
Also of note
Rodriguez, in one of his first votes in his new leadership role, voted with the rest of council on May 21 to authorize a pilot program involving a snack bar next to the Voigt Park pool.
Council members Wendy Gonzalez and Glenna Pearce said they both will run point on the program, which will be open to certain community nonprofit groups to sell snack bar concessions.
City officials said the snack bar is typically open to park guests during special events, but the pilot program will allow different community groups to work with the city to run the snack bar during general hours the park and pool are open.
Local officials said they will work through liability issues and ensure everyone is clear on what is and is not allowed in the way of specific activities and food preparation inside the snack bar space. No alcohol will be provided there.
“The city is wanting to make this happen. We want to find a way to make that happen,” Drash said, referring to a growing amount of public interest in letting various groups provide snack bar concessions.
Pearce and Gonzalez said they will publicize the pilot program in such avenues as the city’s newsletter. They added the program will help local nonprofits to raise their profile, and assist young members of such nonprofits as scout troops to learn more about leadership and business skills.
Any Hollywood Park residents who work with a nonprofit that is interested in operating the snack bar may contact Gonzalez at [email protected] or 210-792-3605 by May 31. On a pilot basis, the snack shack will be open noon-8 p.m. on designated dates in June and July.
