Cruz Ramos sips a cup of coffee at Maria's restaurant before starting her day.
I was selected to spend a day with Cruz Ramos, the city manager for the tiny town of San Joaquin, by the Local Government Commission, a non-profit organization that helps small communities collaborate together with ideas to improve life for their residents. It was a great experience for me to shadow Cruz on her 10-hour day around town and across the valley on what she called “a down day.” I very much appreciate this opportunity from the LGC and my friend John Decker who recommended me for this project.
A remnant of a once flourishing agricultural hub, a vacant creamery stands at the entrance to the tiny Central Valley town of San Joaquin, CA.
Cruz Ramos takes a drive around town as she does each morning checking on the progress of improvements and potential problems.
A kitten wanders in front of a row of stores along Main Street in San Joaquin. A facade program has improved the look of the storefronts.
Cruz checks in with a crew installing new sidewalks - a plan to get people walking around town instead of taking their cars everywhere.
Cruz checks in at a meeting of city managers and administrators from small towns around the Central Valley - many suffering the same problems as San Joaquin.
Cruz listens as city administrators from surrounding towns presents ideas to a variety of problems.
Cruz is called to address the group on some ideas she has.
Never away from her Blackberry, Cruz checks messages during lunch.
A worker finishes up on a sidewalk in San Joaquin. The city is making a strong effort to curb the obesity epidemic by getting people walking again.
San Joaquin residents take advantage of a pleasant fall day to walk and ride bicycles.
Back in the office, Cruz takes care of some business before heading home for the weekend.
A sidewalk in the center of town shows decorative brickwork and lighting. Cruz Ramos, who helped get the project done says it will have a water fountain as well.
Cruz meets with her staff late in the afternoon
Cruz stops in at the VWF where community members are volunteering to serve a Thanksgiving dinner for needy families.
Cruz addresses the families and thanks some special people who came together to make it happen.
Cruz is all smiles after a successful day and a remarkable job as city manager, helping to make her community more livable for its residents.
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