Paul Akinjo, Jennifer Torres-O’Callaghan, and Minnie ‘Cotton’ Diallo expressed thanks to voters and others at Monday’s special meeting of the Lathrop City Council.
Perhaps their overall gratitude was more heartfelt when it came to saying goodbye to Sonny Dhaliwal.
For the past two years, the outgoing mayor served the City of Lathrop in various capacities. Dhaliwal is the new District 3 San Joaquin County Supervisor, representing the areas of Lathrop, Manteca, northwest Stockton, and along the Delta
“He has done a lot for the City of Lathrop – he won’t be too far from us,” said Akinjo, who also presented Dhaliwal with a plaque on behalf of the city for his years of service.
Added Diallo: “Thanks (Sonny) for being an effective leader – you’ll be at the county representing us at a higher level.”
The special session was held for the certification of the Nov. 5 City Council Election – the official tally, as adopted by the resolution, had Akinjo winning the four-candidate race for mayor with 5,162 votes, and Torres-O’Callaghan and Diallo collecting 7,059 and 6,274, respectively, to cap off their re-election campaign.
“I had no idea what God had planned for me,” said Dhaliwal, 63, who was born in Punjab, India, before moving to the U.S. in 1985.
He reflected on his long journey, consisting of being appointed to the Planning Commission in 2003, and a seat on the City Council in 2006. His last 12 years were that of mayor. “I thank Lathrop from the bottom of my heart – it’s been an honor to serve you,” Dhaliwal said.
Like Dhaliwal, Akinjo is also an immigrant. He, too, had a long journey to get to this point.
“I have friends who had me come to U.S. with $200 (in my pocket) from Africa,” he said.
He’s originally from Nigeria, arriving to the states some 30 years ago. Akinjo is Pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God, having retired from Tri-Valley San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority.
He and his family have lived in Lathrop for the past 14 years, moving here from Oakland, a place which is still near and dear to him.
Akinjo, who has served on the City Council since 2012, had plenty of family from the Bay Area in attendance during the special ceremony held in the Lathrop City Hall Council Chamber prior to the monthly meeting.
He especially thanked all who had supported him over the years.
Akinjo was not thrilled with some of the unkind words said during his election campaign for mayor. “I asked for forgiveness,” he said to the name callers.
Akinjo was humbled by the moment, standing next to his new seat as mayor alongside his elected colleagues.
“This is the land of opportunity. For me, this is a way of giving back,” said Akinjo, who is looking to continue the work of his predecessor by making Lathrop a desirable city.
Akinjo, Torres-O’Callaghan, and Diallo were officially administered the oath of office before the open session. Torres-O’Callaghan and Diallo shared the moment with their respective families as they took part in the swearing-in event in public.
Akinjo had Dhaliwal share that special oath-of-office ceremony on the dais.
Among the special guests in attendance were San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas, Manteca Mayor Gary Singh and City Councilman Mike Morowit, State Assemblywoman Rhodesia Ransom, Tracy Mayor Dan Arriola, and Riverbank Mayor Richard O’Brien, just to name a few.
In addition, Torres-O’Callaghan was appointed vice mayor of Lathrop.
