Pedro Gonzalez was appointed to a partial term at the City Council meeting of May 31, 2000, and elected to a full term in November of 2001. Mayor Gonzalez was re-elected in 2005 and 2009 with his current four year term expiring in 2013
As a native of Mexico, Mayor Gonzalez received his primary education in Mexico. He has been a California resident since 1954 and received his United States citizenship in May 1967. He attended Adult Education and ESL classes in Los Angeles. He received a Certificate of Accomplishment in a leadership course from the Mexican-American Legal Defense Education Fund (MALDEF) in 1987. He studied Political Science at Skyline College in 1997 and ROP Computer Education in 1998.
Mayor Gonzalez and his wife Eldie (Duran) have lived in South San Francisco since 1968. They have three children: Prudencia, Silverio, Sara, and six grandchildren. Mayor Gonzalez was in the meat business and a music store manager in San Francisco and retired in 1996. He has been an active volunteer in the community since 1980.
Mayor Gonzalez's public and community service commitments include:
- City of South San Francisco City Council, May 2000 to present
- City of South San Francisco Parks, Recreation and Community Service Commission, 1987 to 1995
- Active in the implementation of the South San Francisco Community Learning Center
- The Historic Old Town Homeowners and Renters Association as past president, co-founder and member, 1984 to present. As President of the Historic Old Town Homeowners and Renters Association, he implemented "Siempre Adelante" Program, an informational program for the community on parenting and civic participation, and contributes to the annual Old Fashioned Picnic given for the Old Town community
- Sur San Francisco Unidos Organization, past president and member, 1991 to present
- Currently is a member of the South San Francisco Community Partnership and subcommittees of the Partnership that include Kindergarten Readiness and Childcare
- Former Assemblywoman, (now Congresswoman 12th Dist.) Jackie Speier's Multi-Ethnic Advisory Committee, 1994
- All Soul's School Board member 1978 to 1981; Chairperson of All Souls Spanish Speaking Committee, 1981 to 1983; All Souls Church Marriage Preparation Program for 20 years
- Supported the South San Francisco Unified School District School Bond issue in 1997
North Peninsula Neighborhood Service Center, Inc., Board of Directors
- North Peninsula Neighborhood Services Center - San Mateo County Census 2000 Outreach
- Boys and Girls Club, Board of Directors
- Mills-Peninsula Health Service Senior Focus, and Community Benefit Board of Directors
- Member PAL Booster Club
Mayor Gonzalez is a member of various organizations which include: the Young Men's Institute, League of Women Voters, Friends of the South San Francisco Public Library, and Friends of Parks and Recreation, Kiwanis, Historical Society of South San Francisco, Historic Old Town Homeowners and Renters Association, and South San Francisco Sister Cities Committee.
Mayor Gonzalez' local government interests include: affordable housing, available childcare and assistance for low-income families. He would like to see the continuing progress of the City without losing sight of our society's less fortunate or the needy. He brings some needed diversity to the Council and creates a link to the City's Hispanic community. He would like to bring heightened attention to the issues and concerns of the City's low-income families. His personal interests include spending time with his family, reading poetry, fishing, and attending ongoing workshops to keep him informed.
Liaison Assignments:
- Oyster Point Advisory Committee
- Community Preservation Task Force
- Sister Cities
Subcommittees:
- BART
- Downtown
- Facilities Naming
Local and Regional Assignments:
- Association of Bay Area Governments – Alternate
- San Francisco Water Emergency Transportation Authority
- Water Transit Advocates for San Mateo County
- HEART-Housing Endowment and Regional Trust
- HOPE Interagency Council
Conference Center Authority