The city of Cypress has chosen Rob Johnson to serve as Mayor for 2020, while council member Mariellen Yarc has been chosen as Mayor Pro-tem as the city reorganized its council for the upcoming year.
“I thank you for your confidence,” said Johnson as he was unanimously elected mayor for the upcoming year. Both he and Yarc were unanimously elected by their fellow Council members.
The incoming mayor said 2020 would be busy. “We’ve got our work cut out for us,” he said.
Johnson also thanked outgoing Mayor Stacy Berry for her nonstop efforts as mayor during the current year, as did several citizens and other elected officials gathered for the year-end meeting.
During the invocation, Pastor Mike McKay thanked Berry for creating a platform of service, “leaving room for diversity and personal growth.”
City Colleen Janssen said Berry “must not have slept” much during the year, given her furious schedule throughout her year as mayor. “I’m proud of the job you did,” said Janssen.
Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel and Sen. Ling Ling Chang both sent representatives with messages of congratulations, thanking Berry for her “inspiring leadership and dedication,” among other plaudits.
Berry said in some ways, it was “hard to believe the year was over,” while on the other hand, her current term as mayor seemed “much longer” than a year.
Berry thanked her family, her council colleagues, staff and “everyone in the community” for their support. “I was blessed with so many opportunities.” she said.
“We all need to give back,” said Berry, adding that her “heart for service” would continue. The outgoing mayor quoted someone she admired by saying “when you’re talking about serving the community, if you’re not dead, you’re not done.”
“I’ve got a lot more to give,” said Berry.
Johnson thanked his colleagues for their support and pointed out that the City Council is now filled by all former mayors. He shared some of the City Council’s 2020 goals: constructing the police department modernization, seismic retrofit and emergency operations center upgrade; community outreach for the Shea mixed-use project; exploring partnership opportunities between the Community Festival and the city’s new and successful Third of July celebration; start of construction on Cypress’ new sports park; and initiating the process to rehabilitate Arnold Park, the oldest park in Cypress. The new year will also see a new restroom and concession building at Oak Knoll park and the rollout of the Neighborhood Preservation code enforcement program.
Johnson is serving his second term on the Cypress City Council. During his first term he also served as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration-Marketing from California State University Long Beach and an Associate of Arts Degree from Long Beach City College and is a graduate of the Long Beach Police Academy. Mayor Johnson is also the Southwest Regional Director of Sales for Crystal Geyser/CG Roxane handling all Trade Channels in Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico. He volunteers his time to various non-profit organizations including the Cypress High School Athletic Booster Club and Grad Night Committee, Cypress Girls Softball, AYSO Soccer, Cypress Chamber of Commerce, and the Cypress Festival Committee.
Yarc is also serving her second term on the Cypress City Council. During her first term, she served as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Pro Tem Yarc holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of California Los Angeles and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Southwestern University of Law. She recently retired after a 30-year career as a Family Law Attorney. She is also an active member of the Woman’s Club of Cypress and the Cypress Chamber of Commerce and has volunteered her time to various charities and was formerly a Commissioner for both the Cypress Recreation & Community Services Commission and the Senior Citizens Commission.