Carmelita feels grateful to have shared her life for many years with Scruffy, one of the first dogs adopted from POMDR! He passed away at age 17, leaving her with countless wonderful memories.

Before joining POMDR in April 2025, Carmelita was well known in Pacific Grove for many reasons, not the least of which is her work protecting the local deer. She is the founding member of the non-profit PG Deer Awareness Resource. Their mission is to advocate for the safety of Pacific Grove's native deer through education and public outreach. You may see the group's signs around town during fawning season.

Carmelita has a long record of local public service. In 2009 she became Mayor of Pacific Grove, after being elected to the City Council in 2008. From 2020-2025, she served on the City of Pacific Grove's Administrative Enforcement Hearing Officer Panel.

After attaining a Certificate in Counseling from UC Santa Cruz, Carmelita went on to earn a Law for Life Paralegal Certificate and an Advance Paralegal Certificate from CSU Monterey Bay. She has been named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Crime Prevention Officers Association of Monterey County and was honored as one of Monterey County's Outstanding Women of the Year.

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