Tatiana Yokoyama Approved As Cerritos Planning Commissioner

: New Planning Commissioner Tatiana Yokoyama takes oath of office from Cerritos City Clerk Vita Barrone at Monday’s city council meeting. Randy Economy Photo

By Brian Hews
In a move that surprised many long time city hall onlookers, Cerritos Mayor Pro Tem Mark Pulido appointed Tatiana Yokoyama to serve on the Planning Commission for a seat formerly held by her brother, Frank, before his reappointment was nixed earlier this year by three city council members lead by Mayor Bruce Barrows.
Pulido ended a three month battle to replace his lifelong friend and political alley Frank Yokoyama on the Cerritos Planning Commission after Barrows, Councilwoman Carol Chen and Councilman George Ray blocked the normally routine two year reappointment after this past city council campaign in March.
Ray and Chen defeated Frank Yokoyama in the recent election.
During that campaign, it was revealed that Yokoyama had been suspended by the California State Bar Association after he told state officials that he had completed “routine course work” as required by state code.
Tatiana Yokoyama help lead a vocal protest against Barrows, Chen and Ray in April and May of this year after her brother’s reappointment was blocked.
On Monday night, after she was unanimously approved by all five members of the Cerritos City Council, including Councilman Joseph Cho, Yokoyama was officially given the oath of office by Cerritos City Clerk Vida Barrone.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the community I love so deeply,” Yokoyama told Hews Media Group – Community News in an interview just moments after she was sworn into office.
“I appreciate Mayor Pro Tem Mark Pulido for having confidence in me in making this appointment. I promise to the community that I will do a great job on the Planning Commission and to make sure that we continue to serve the residents with accountability and dedication,” Yokoyama said.
“Tatiana earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of California, Riverside. After college, she returned to Cerritos to be with her family, including her nieces and nephews. Over the years, Tatiana has worked for many local businesses, including California Education Centers, Union Bank of California, and Nordstrom’s,” Pulido said during the meeting.
“Tatiana is going to be a great addition to the Planning Commission,” Pulido said.
Yokoyama is also a current Law Student at the Western State College of Law in Fullerton, California, where she is a recipient of the school’s merit scholarship.
She was elected by her peers to serve as Student Bar Association President for the 2013-2014 academic years. Her former positions while attending Western Stated include: Student Bar Association Treasurer, Student Bar Association 1L Representative, and the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association Vice-President.
Yokoyama also said that she is looking forward to “seeing new businesses popping up here in Cerritos.”

“I am ready to hit the ground running. This is very humbling and an honor,” she said.