Community mourns loss of dedicated planning commissioner

During a recent government meeting in Whittier, officials addressed technical difficulties while honoring the memory of former planning commissioner David Lara, who recently passed away. The meeting began with acknowledgments of the challenges in facilitating virtual participation, prompting a brief recess to troubleshoot the issues.

Commissioners expressed their condolences for Lara, highlighting his long-standing commitment to the city and his contributions to public service. One commissioner shared personal memories of working alongside Lara for over three decades, describing him as a respected and approachable figure who was dedicated to finding solutions and improving the community.

As the meeting progressed, officials continued to navigate the technical issues affecting virtual attendees, considering a complete reboot of the system to enhance connectivity. Despite the challenges, the meeting aimed to proceed with presentations from staff and consultants, ensuring that the business of the city continued amidst the disruptions.