Aguilar Receives Mark Carnevale Legacy Award

Inaugural Mark Carnevale Legacy Award Goes to Former Colleague

CATHEDRAL CITY — By any measure, one of the most poignant moments of the recent State of the City Address was when Mayor Raymond Gregory presented former City Councilmember John Aguilar with the inaugural Mark Carnevale Legacy Award.

Few in the audience saw it coming.

“The inaugural Mark Carnevale Legacy Award goes to a man whose fingerprints are on so much of what Cathedral City is today,” Gregory said. “Appointed to the Council in 2014, elected in 2016, and our city’s first Latino Mayor — he helped shape an era of remarkable growth. The downtown arts and entertainment district. The Agua Caliente Casino. The College of the Desert Roadrunner Motors Campus. And as a founding Councilmember of Cathedral City LGBT+ Days, he helped launch what has become California’s first Pride celebration of the year. He served alongside (former Mayor) Greg Pettis, alongside Mark — and for a time, alongside me. And he carried the work forward with steadiness and heart.”

Aguilar, along with Pettis, Carnevale, Stan Henry and Shelly Kaplan, was a member of the transformative ‘Team 2014,’ who helped usher in a new era for Cathedral City. They worked collaboratively to revitalize the downtown arts and entertainment district and launch the vibrant festivals the community continues to celebrate today.

Aguilar was also Cathedral City’s first Latino Mayor. He was appointed to the City Council in 2014, elected in 2016, and a founding Councilmember of Cathedral City LGBT+ Days, which has grown into California’s first Pride celebration of the year.

Gregory said he was “honored” to make the selection, in consultation with the event organizers.

“While we are fortunate in Cathedral City to have had a number of dedicated people with records of exceptional service, John Aguilar is one who has done so without fanfare or self-promotion. He is one who has been a public servant in both his professional and private life, and who continues to do so by representing us on the Coachella Valley Water District board, watching over and representing the best interests of area residents and businesses thoughtfully, steadfastly, and with great humility. I was very pleased to be able to shed a little light on his efforts.”

Aguilar accepted the award to a standing ovation.

Aguiltold Uken Report that he was “absolutely blown away” when he was notified that he had been selected for the inaugural Legacy Award in Mark’s name.

“As I said at the State of the City, and sincerely believe with all my heart, there are so many people who have worked hard for this City over the years who are equally deserving of this recognition, Aguilar said.

“This award comes with both sadness and pride — sadness because we all still deeply feel the loss of Mark, and pride that the work Mark, myself, and so many others accomplished together over the years has made a positive difference in our community.

“I recently heard something about public service that really resonated with me: anyone who commits themselves to public service hopes to leave behind a legacy and to leave the world a little better than they found it. I certainly believe that, and I hope that is true of my service as well.

“I know our city is a better place to live because of Mark’s accomplishments, leadership, and dedication. Beyond all of that, Mark was also my friend. His passing left a hole in all of us who cared for him and who benefited from his many contributions to the city over the years.”

Congratulations, John Aguilar.