Dear Moreno Valley Residents,
On January 21, our City government and our community lost a true champion with the passing of City Councilwoman Dr. Carla J. Thornton.
She had only been elected to the Council two years ago in 2018. But Carla had been active at the City long before that, serving on Boards and Commissions.
She was a strong leader. Maybe that came from her 20 years of proud service in the Air Force, from which she retired as a Master Sergeant. Or maybe from her service as an assistant professor of Social Work at Cal Baptist University. She took her work very seriously, but not herself. Carla was just fun to be around. She and I had a running friendly rivalry, given that she graduated from Canyon Springs High School and I’m a Valley View alumnus. I miss her company, her good humor and, of course, her wonderful laugh.
She was always a very positive, “glass-half-full” kind of person, and that trait served us all well during her time on the City Council. Carla was a loyal friend of Moreno Valley and a devoted public servant for the residents of District 2 and for all MoVal residents. She left our City a better place.
So I just want to say publicly, on behalf of the City Council, all our City employees and the residents of Moreno Valley, “Thank you, Carla.” Thank you for giving your precious time and remarkable talents to our City, and thank you for the many kindnesses you shared with those of us who were so very fortunate to have served with you.