The Fontana City Council recently celebrated two standout members of the community — International Boxing Federation Lightweight Champion Raymond Muratalla and Fontana Police Department January Employee of the Month Noely Santoyo. Each individual was recognized for their hard work and accomplishments at the city council meeting on March 10. “Everybody, please put your hands together for this young man, Fontana born and raised and went on the world stage representing us,” Mayor Acquanetta Warren said, speaking to Muratalla’s origins as a Fontana native.
“I am so proud of him.”
“She does it all with an amazing, positive attitude, she has an infectious smile (and) she’s a wonderful human being,” Police Capt. Brian Binks said, speaking to Santoyo’s contributions to the department. “Thank you, and congratulations on being employee of the month.
“It is our honor to have her in our building.”
To date, Muratalla has won various belts and honors across several major fights — many of which were displayed on stage during the meeting. In honor of his victory on the world stage, the Fontana City Council awarded him a special certificate, noting that it is “an extraordinary accomplishment.” “Your continued success in the ring brings pride to our community and serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes throughout Fontana,” Warren said, reading the certificate.
Santoyo serves as the Fontana Police Department’s main point of contact for applicants throughout the city. Capt. Binks said that the department has experienced an influx of new hires and that the employee of the month has made “hundreds” of contacts each month, sets up appointments and interviews, reviews background packets and generally ensures the fluidity of Fontana PD’s hiring process.
“I want to take the opportunity to say let’s challenge Noely and make her job a lot harder — we have positions open now at the Fontana Police Department,” Binks said, jokingly. “We’ll give her employee of the month in June if she can keep it up.”
Warren introduced the presentation as a surprise to the community, noting that they were last-minute additions to the agenda.
“An additional presentation was added to today’s agenda (…) and once you see these presentations, you’ll understand why,” Warren said. “Congratulations on behalf of all of my colleagues and this great community of over 220,000 that call it home.”
Each of the stars of the day also had an opportunity to speak and thanked the community for its support. “Thank you to my team (and) my bosses,” the employee of the month said. “Without their support, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”
“I’m a simple guy — I love to fight, I love to train and I started when I was 7 years old,” the international boxing champion said. “My family being by my side has been a huge help and support system and now that I’m being recognized by Fontana, it’s even greater.
“I’m going to continue to do great things and inspire the youth and the community.”