Among the items mentioned by Cypress Mayor David Burke during his State of the City address this past week, was a surprise shout-out for a 36-year resident couple of Cypress as an example of citizen leadership.
Burke spoke to a large gathering of Cypress residents inside the Cypress Community Center after the elaborate once-a-year outdoor event had to be moved indoors because of impending weather.
“It’s an honor to serve our city with you. By many measures, this is the most diverse city council we have had in quite some time: and as a resident recently remarked, diversity is one of our strengths,” said Burke.
Burke introduced his family, the remaining Council members and he thanked the staff and the city’s strategic partners such as the Chamber of Commerce before launching into his 45-minute address.
Burke said he and his wife Courtney chose Cypress to move to in 2021 to raise their children because it is indeed a special place. He was elected to the Council in 2022 and was elected to serve as Mayor by the Council in 2025.
Cypress Mayor David Burke at State of the City event.
“I can confidently tell you the state of our city tonight. The State of the City of Cypress is outstanding. Cypress is a wonderful place to live,” said Burke, noting that “we have all those foundational elements in place that you want in a city, safe streets, great schools, residents who care deeply about our community,” said Burke.
“But I also want to highlight what really makes Cypress special, the spirit that unites us and that is the overwhelming decency and goodness that shines every day in our diverse city,” he said.
Burke thanked Chief Mark Lauderback and the city’s police department for making the city “one of the safest cities in Orange County,” and he ran through a long list of improvements in parks, recreation and social services.
He also pointed out that the city’s business community was on the upswing, as Costco recently celebrated 20 years and big companies continue to migrate from Los Angeles to the refuge of Cypress.
“This year, the Murray Company, a national mechanical engineering and contracting firm, relocated their headquarters from Los Angeles to Cypress, bringing 300 employees along with them. They’re not alone. Raymond West Handling, which helps other businesses with logistic supplies and design expertise, chose Cypress as its corporate headquarters, and with 363 employees, they are now one of the top 10 employers in the city,” he said.
“We also support our local businesses here through programs,” he said, noting that 32 businesses participated in the city’s level up digital marketing program, and 30 in the Business Growth program. “These programs give businesses tools to help improve, expand and stay in Cypress for the long term. And we awarded $364,000 in grants to graduates,” the Mayor said.
Burke singled out one couple, George Pardon, and his wife Lynne, for their work in the community that demonstrates the “the spirit that unites us.”
“George Pardon exemplifies the spirit that makes Cypress great. Over the years, George has absolutely dedicated himself to serving others,” said Burke.
“Early on, George learned a lot about our city by this is unbelievable, attending every city council meeting from 2007 to 2013. I don’t even think all the council members did that,” he quipped.
“George has volunteered at the Cypress Parks and Recreation Halloween Carnival and Fashion Show, the city job and resource fair and the Cypress Senior Center. He’s provided tax preparation services absolutely free of charge to our local seniors through the AARP tax aid program,” continued Burke.
“He’s helped the Cypress Boys and Girls Club with their homework club. He even helped gather 20 volunteers to build Habitat for Humanity homes on Lincoln Avenue. He continues to volunteer and pray and hand out groceries at a local food pantry. He’s been deeply involved in Landau Elementary School’s PTA, and this year, George took the lead in setting up a brand-new foundation to help financially support our local students,” said Burke.
“On top of all that, George and his wife Lynne are a constant fixture at fundraisers for local nonprofits, and they even, along with their grandsons, hand deliver Girl Scout cookies to our local police and firefighters, which they’ve been doing for 10 years,” he added.
“Chances are, if you live in Cypress, George Pardon has made a positive impact on your life, whether you know it or not. Now, George isn’t shy about sharing his opinions, and he and I, there’s plenty that we don’t agree on, but what brings us together is a shared desire to serve our community and help others. George, thank you for your contributions to our community. It’s my honor to call you a friend.”
Contacted after the event, Pardon said he and Lynne were humbled by the unexpected attention.
“I was both honored and surprised by Mayor Burke’s recognition at the Cypress State of the City. Over the years, I have encountered so many wonderful residents that are serving our community so to be selected for this recognition was quite humbling. I want to underscore what Mayor Burke said when he made the statement that the state of our city is great,” said Pardon.
“Whether I am volunteering at our grandsons’ school, serving at our church’s food pantry, or volunteering doing taxes for seniors, the residents in our community are amazing and appreciative. I have been blessed to meet so many of our residents over the years. It’s so easy to get disgruntled if our only source of information is social media,” he said.
“I would encourage everyone to find an opportunity to serve in our local community. I saw a meme recently that said: ‘Before you complain, have you volunteered?’ My wife and my experience has been that when we serve, we are blessed as much, if not more, than those we serve,” said Pardon.
In conclusion, Burke said “there is more work to do.”
“But what makes the city of Cypress so special. It’s an entire city of people who are united, not by political beliefs, but by a shared desire to help each other. That is what brings us together, and that is what will always bring us together, if we can hang on to that, the City of Cypress will remain a great place to live for many years to come.”