Community Corner

City Of Lake Elsinore Improves Services For Spanish-Speaking Residents, Visitors

"Our priority is providing our residents and visitors with the highest level of public service," said Mayor Pro Tem, Natasha Johnson. "If more than a third of our population speaks Spanish, than we must find ways to better serve them."

The following is a news release from the City of Lake Elsinore:

As part of its efforts to provide the highest level of service, the City of Lake Elsinore is now offering an option to translate its website, www.Lake-Elsinore.org, into Spanish to better serve its Spanish-speaking community.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2011 American Community Survey, approximately 34.1% of the City’s population speaks Spanish. To translate the website, users must select the option titled “Espanol” at the top of the homepage. Upon clicking this option, most content on the website is translated into Spanish using Google Translator. However, images, some menu labels and PDFs on the website cannot be translated.

“We are pleased to improve our service to Spanish-speaking residents by offering a translated version of the City’s website. Our government works best when all its citizens are represented equitably. As Councilman, I look forward to affording many more opportunities to create bridges with our Spanish-speaking neighbors in the near future,” said Councilmember Steve Manos.

[En espanol: “Estamos muy satisfechos con poder mejorar nuestro servicio para todos nuestros residentes de habla hispana, ofreciendo una version traducida al espanol de el website de nuestra Ciudad, porque nuestro gobierno funciona mejor cuanto todos nuestros ciudadanos estan representados equitativamente. Como miembro del consejo de nuestra ciudad, Yo seguire buscando mas oportunidades para crear lazos con nuestros vecinos de habla hispana en un futuro proximo.”]

In addition to offering the website in Spanish, earlier this year the City hired Diana Gutierrez as its new Deputy City Clerk. Diana, who is bilingual, brings an essential skill set for the City Clerk’s Department. This includes providing assistance at City Council meetings and serving as a resource at the City’s service counter, as needed.

In total, 21 of the City’s 65 full-time staff members are bilingual and provide many bilingual services in-person and/or over the phone. In addition, the Lake Elsinore Police Department has 11 employees including deputies and administrative staff who are bilingual, and the Fire Department has at least one bilingual firefighter at each station.

“Our priority is providing our residents and visitors with the highest level of public service,” said Mayor Pro Tem, Natasha Johnson. “If more than a third of our population speaks Spanish, than we must find ways to better serve them.”

At the beginning of the year, the City Council adopted a new vision statement: “The City of Lake Elsinore will be the ultimate lake destination where all can live, work and play, build futures and fulfill dreams.” At this time, the City Council also identified seven key initiatives to fulfill this vision. One of which, is service. Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow Lake Elsinore – City Hall on Facebook, @CtyLakeElsinore on Twitter, or to sign up e-notification options on the City’s website.


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