Dear Beverly Hills Community,
For a few more days, I am your City Manager, George Chavez. Almost four decades ago, when I first entered public service as a building inspector, I could never imagine that I would be retiring as City Manager. It is not a position I aimed for, but it turned out to be one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.
While in the Community Development and Public Works departments, I had many opportunities to work “in the field,” as we lovingly refer to it. That means I have been on site with our city staff on commercial projects, home renovations, street paving, sidewalk repairs, park upgrades, and countless other projects. There is a very good chance we have crossed paths!
I walked our city, our neighborhoods, our business districts and even our alleys because I believe in seeing things first-hand. This city is a living, breathing entity and there is never a shortage of things to do. That is what gave me a job. However, what started as a job, turned into a career; and what became a career, turned into a relationship with all of you.
During these past thirty-four years, not only have I gotten to know you, but I have also watched your families grow. I have met your children, your grandchildren and your pets. We have solved problems together, resolved concerns, talked about many-sided issues, and worked through the most difficult times, including a pandemic.
The thing that has been a constant throughout has been my relationship with you. Like in any relationship, I have learned a lot from this one and the message is simple:
All of us, coming together, doing what we do to make this town an amazing place to live, to work or to just be that’s the heart of this community. This does not end with retirement. Thanks to all of you, Beverly Hills will always be with me as I turn the page to a new life chapter.
With deep gratitude,
George Chavez
