GRAND TERRACE - Brenda Mesa is resigning as city clerk, saying she took a part-time position with the city of Upland so she can work closer to home.

"My son is getting ready to start school," said Mesa, 45, an Upland resident. "He's starting kindergarten, and I want to be close to his school."

Mesa submitted her resignation Monday, and her last day will be Aug. 11. She has been the clerk since 1992.

Her resignation comes a month after the City Council laid off Assistant City Clerk Tracey Martinez to help balance its budget and follows recent departures by other longtime employees.

"We went a lot of years without turnover, and I think it's just (coincidence)," Mesa said. "My decision has everything to do with my family and nothing to do with the city."

Martinez will return to fill the city clerk position until a permanent replacement is found, said Community and Economic Development Director Joyce Powers, who is in charge of city operations this week while City Manager Betsy Adams is on vacation.

In Grand Terrace, the city manager hires the clerk without City Council action, Powers said.

"We've really valued her as a friend and an employee, and we're sad to see her go," Powers said. "We wish her the best of luck."

Mesa said she began working in Grand Terrace nearly 25 years ago, as a part-time receptionist, and has only worked for the city or "doing the typical jobs young people do."

She said she's confident the city will do well without her, although she described leaving as bittersweet.

"There's been a lot of years I spent there," she said. "It's been a great experience. I love Grand Terrace."

ryan.hagen@inlandnewspapers.com

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