CL Mayor Kasey Castillo optimistic about new year

BY Ariana Shah

Despite enduring most of 2020’s pandemic and record numbers of Canyon Lake residents currently being infected, new City of Canyon Lake Mayor Kasey Castillo is optimistic about the new year and her vision shines bright for 2021.

“As 2021 begins, let’s continue to focus on our families and on our community,” she said. “Cooperation and kindness have brought us through these troubling times and will continue to bring us past them.”

The past year, burdened by COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, the city needed to get creative in altering traditional events so life could still be lived and enjoyed. As mayor pro-tem, Kasey headed up the effort, for example, of the honoring of the city’s veterans on Veteran’s Day in November. The traditional gatherings were scrapped, but the largest turnout ever occurred as Kasey organized a veteran’s golf cart parade throughout the city and an epic flyover.

Newly-elected City of Canyon Lake Mayor Kasey Castillo poses outside of City Hall. Kasey’s vision for the city and its citizens during this troubled COVID-19 time includes keeping the city on strong financial footing, which includes helping its businesses succeed. Photo by Ariana Shah

“This year has certainly been hard for many across our community, but as a community we’ve been able to accomplish so much together,” she said. “We kept Canyon Lake covered and made masks for hundreds of residents and made sure those in need were protected. Despite the pandemic, we were able to honor our veterans and support local businesses.”

Despite being a mayor for the first time while a pandemic rages on, Kasey accepts the challenge unafraid.

“COVID-19 has greatly impacted our region,” she said. “Thankfully, we have had lower rates in Canyon Lake, but I am not taking anything for granted. Our city is strong and we will get through it.”

The City of Canyon Lake being a smaller city, but needing to provide the same services larger cities give to its citizens, has always struggled and focused on finances. The city has shored up its financial base and is currently operating with a surplus.

“Our city has made excellent strides to be fiscally sound,” Kasey said. “As mayor, I will be making financially-sound decisions, such as getting the fire department up and running. The good thing about our council is that we all have our strengths. I look at our city as a business, because I am also a small business owner. I try to do things that are for our city’s best interests. I always try to find vendors that are best for the city. We are constantly reevaluating and reassessing everything.”

Kasey brings her extensive history of giving back to the community into her role as mayor. Her sense of community unites Canyon Lake. In addition to the widely successful Veteran’s Day event, Kasey raised awareness and supported the fundraiser for police officer Matt Guzino who suffered from a car accident while on duty. She also held a virtual golf tournament for the Canyon Lake Junior Women’s Club to raise funds for student scholarships to be granted later this year.