Election Day in November was an exciting year for Alhambra as a new council seat opened for District 4. Noya Wang, an engineer, ran against three other candidates and won the seat with 42.61% of the votes.
Wang has a background in structural and civil engineering, was most recently the Public Works Director for the City of Rosemead, and has served as Chair of the Planning Commission for the City of Alhambra. She has lived in Alhambra for a decade, together with her husband and two children.
Wang was sworn in as mayor, taking the reins from Sasha Renée Pérez, at the City Council meeting on December 9. Local, county, and state-level elected officials and representatives attended the city council meeting to share their congratulations and certificates of recognition to Mayor Wang, re-elected Councilmember Jeff Maloney, and newly elected State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez.
“I feel humbled by the trust people have placed in me and I feel the weight of it,” she said. “I’m very motivated and very excited to be able to work on these issues.”
With her background in structural engineering and with the Public Works department, she’s confident in her ability to solve critical issues in our community and is especially dedicated to the safety and quality of life in Alhambra.
“This moment feels truly special for me as I return to this seat where it all started. Four years ago, I was appointed to the Planning Commission,” Wang said in her speech at the City Council meeting. “It was those years that I saw the power of local government. It’s capable of solving problems and making a difference in peoples’ lives. It was during those years I discovered my passion for policy and the joy of working hand in hand with our community.”
Wang thanked her fellow planning commissioners, city staff, family, and the community for their support. She also shared a quote from her godmother Lisa, which she said inspired her on her journey campaigning for the city council: “Throughout history, and in every culture, building community and serving others has been how we find peace and endure hardship. To be an elected official is a challenging way of building a community but it’s one of the most important.”
“I’m committed to thoughtful and inclusive decision making to make sure that no one is left behind in our community,” she continued. “The conversation I’ve had with many of you throughout my campaign on your doorstep will continue to guide me in my decision making and that will be the front and center of my work here as mayor.”
During her campaign, she knocked on every door in Alhambra’s Fourth District to talk with as many residents as possible, and she intends to keep her door open for people to share their concerns, feedback, and questions with her.
“Together with my council colleagues, with our staff, commissioners, and each and every one of you in our community, we’ll build an Alhambra that reflects the best of our community. Our best days are ahead of us and I’m ready to get to work. Thank you,” Wang said.
Councilmember Jeff Maloney ran unopposed for his third consecutive term on the council, which he said would likely be his last as he has hit the three-term limit for council members and will need to wait four years after his term ends to run again.
“I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to a productive four years,” he said. “I love it here and really enjoy all the work that we’ve done.”
Senator Pérez was also in attendance on December 9 to congratulate Wang and Maloney, and part of the council meeting was dedicated to her farewell. Representatives from local, county, and state gave certificates of recognition and words of congratulations to all three council members, including representatives of Congresswoman Judy Chu, San Gabriel, Temple City, Arcadia, Monterey Park, AUSD, Assemblymember Mike Fong, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, and AAAE.
To get in touch with Mayor Wang or other Alhambra City Council members, visit cityofalhambra.org, email [email protected], or call 626-570-5010.
