Town President Larry Dominick and the Board of Trustees Tuesday appointed Maria Punzo-Arias, a Mexican-born American citizen, as the first Latino to hold the office of Town Clerk. Punzo-Arias, who is from Mexico City, first began working at the Town of Cicero in 1995 in the Water Department. In 2003, she was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Town Board of Trustees.
She fills the vacancy created when Marylin Colpo retired as Town Clerk at the June 28 board meeting. “I am very humbled by this appointment and the confidence in my experience and knowledge that I look forward to bringing to this office. I began working in Cicero in 1995 in the Water Department and I was appointed to office as a trustee in 2003. But it wasn’t until President Larry Dominick came to office that I have seen so much being done for the people of the Town of Cicero,” said Maria Punzo-Arias who has been a resident of Cicero for 32 years.
President Dominick said, “Maria has been an exceptional public official dedicated to the best interests of the people of the Town of Cicero of all walks of life. I know her experience and knowledge and talents will do much to serve the people. She is the first Hispanic to hold the position of Town Clerk and I know that many residents in the Town of Cicero recognize that as being very important. I am proud to support her and to nominate her to the position.”
Senator Sandoval said, “Latinos today have become the heart and blood of the Town of Cicero and no one has done more to support their growth and empowerment than President Larry Dominick. President Dominick recognizes that Latinos today are a significant part of this community and he has worked hard to insure that they are involved, represented and share in this community’s advancement. President Dominick cares about the Town of Cicero, he cares about the citizens and he cares about the Latino community.” Sandoval was the first Latino to represent Cicero in the Illinois Senate. The Town Board also named Larry Banks, who works in the Business License Department, to fill the trustee seat vacated by Punzo-Arias.
