From the Mayor's Desk: August 22, 2025

In Cerritos, the City Council and our staff value recognizing those who’ve made a difference in our community and represented our City in a positive light. You see these celebrations during City Council meetings and at public events throughout our community. These honorees each have fascinating connections to Cerritos, and occasionally we have the opportunity to recognize them in unique places.

Earlier this month, my son, Maddox, and I attended the annual Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas. We were there as fans of the beloved 1960’s TV series turned international sensation that remains popular today in its various forms. This was also a chance to greet and present a proclamation to one of our City’s newest honorees. 

As viewers of the animated television series “Star Trek: Lower Decks” know well, the City of Cerritos holds a unique distinction in the Star Trek world. The crew explores outer space and carries out its missions aboard the U.S.S. Cerritos, which is indeed named after our amazing City. According to the show’s creator, the U.S.S. Cerritos is among a select number of California-class starships that bear the names of cities in the Golden State. 

As a longtime Star Trek fan and proud Mayor of the City of Cerritos, I was thrilled to present a proclamation on August 10 to Dawnn Lewis, who in “Lower Decks” is the voice actor for Carol Freeman, Captain of the U.S.S. Cerritos. Lewis was concluding an interview before hundreds of spectators and taking questions when I stepped to the microphone. It was amazing to hear the gasps and excitement of the show’s fans as I introduced myself and the City that I represent. I was honored to then be invited on stage by Ms. Lewis and formally present her with a proclamation and City of Cerritos memorabilia.

You likely didn’t expect a Star Trek-inspired column today. But you don’t have to be a Trekkie or Trekker to appreciate the significance of the moment. Our residents and businesses may also be pleased to learn of the show’s often-cited slogan, “Cerritos strong!” This is used to express the camaraderie and resilience of the U.S.S. Cerritos crew, and there are parallels to how the City aims to serve and prosper. The City of Cerritos offers tremendous amenities and is well positioned for growth. Through routine collaboration, informed decision-making, and perseverance in times of challenges, we can build upon our already excellent services, fulfill our Strategic Goals and, dare I say, boldly go where no city has gone before. Live long and prosper!