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Colton mayor dies after suffering heart attack
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David Zamora
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Courtesy the City of Colton
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The mayor of Colton has died after suffering a heart attack Thursday as he drove home from the civic center. He was 56.
David Zamora was elected mayor less than a year ago, but he spent 30 years serving the city of Colton.
Zamora was elected mayor last November. Before that, he worked as a community development director. He also held a seat on the Colton Joint Unified School District’s board of education, and was a founding member of the city’s Police Athletic League.
Zamora delivered his first “State of the City” address just last week. In the speech, Zamora emphasized what Colton's city government had done to save the city from becoming financially insolvent, building the city's reserve fund from $50,000 to nearly $1.9 million.
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"Faith in city government had just collapsed," said David Toro, a councilman and longtime friend, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Within seven months he was able to balance the budget, bring lower electric rates and negotiate a deal to keep the city's public safety in house."
In a statement, Colton city manager Rod Foster said Zamora served with love and conviction. He said Zamora believed Colton had embarked on a new beginning after years of political infighting. Foster said the city is determined to continue that spirit of leadership.
Zamora is survived by his wife of 34 years, three daughters and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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