SANTA ROSA — Newly elected city Alderman Raul Hinojosa was given his nickname when he was a young farmworker working the local fields in town.
“We used to pick everything here,” Hinojosa said.
He remembered picking cabbage, okra, tomatoes, cotton and green beans.
It is also where he received the moniker “Pituco,” when he was 6, who everyone in town knows him by.
City Administrator Jared Hockema even called him by Pituco when he canvassed the votes announcing Hinojosa’s victory as Place 2 alderman at Monday night’s city meeting.
Hinojosa said as far as he knows, his nickname is a name for an animal who hides buried in the dirt.
But Hinojosa’s nickname contradicts his recent return to city politics.
And he went right to work after the swearing in ceremony.
City leaders voted on items including the new city judge and alternate, designating a mayor pro tem and repairs needed at the local park.
“Now I have the time to give back to the city of Santa Rosa that I couldn’t give back then,” Hinojosa said. “I am happy to be back helping the city.”
Hinojosa served two terms as alderman in the mid 1980s. He said he didn’t seek a third term as his commitment to the city interfered with his work schedule.
Mayor Andres Contreras and Alderman Javier Florencia were also sworn into office on Monday.
Contreras is starting his second term as mayor.
Florencia started his fourth term as alderman.
Contreras said he has committed himself to make sure the city is moving in the right direction.
“During my first term as mayor we have done some positive things that have impacted our community,” Contreras said. “We are committed to improve the city.”
He said they also expect the community members to play their role to make Santa Rosa a viable and accountable community.
“I have made a commitment to this community for the next two years,” Contreras said. “I am going to be up front with them (residents) and let them know we are here to serve the community.”
