Anaheim : City Official Resigns to Take Post in Orange

Calling it “a splendid opportunity,” Anaheim’s economic development manager plans to accept a new position as economic director for the City of Orange.

After almost 23 years with Anaheim, Ron Thompson said he accepted the new post despite a slight pay decrease because he looks forward to the challenge of a new program in Orange.

“I will be able to establish the program from the outset of it,” Thompson said of the job he begins Aug. 5.

Mayor Don Roth said he is “kind of upset” that Thompson is leaving Anaheim. “He’s been a problem solver for me. He’s done an outstanding job.”

In Orange, Thompson’s responsibilities will include redevelopment projects around the City Mall and the Orange Mall on Tustin Avenue, he said. East Orange, which has at least 19,000 acres that are undeveloped, also will be a challenge, Thompson said.

Thompson became Anaheim’s economic development manager earlier this year after serving as planning and zoning director for 10 years, said Cynthia King, assistant to the city manager. City officials do not yet have a replacement for Thompson, King said.

Thompson is the third high city official to leave within less than a year. Roth said there was no correlation between the departures of Thompson and Thomas F. Liegler and Jim Ruth.

Liegler recently resigned as general manager of Anaheim Stadium, the Convention Center and the golf courses to take a similar position in San Diego. Ruth, Anaheim’s assistant city manager and former parks and recreation head, resigned last fall to become the Long Beach parks and recreation director, King said.

“It’s a coincidence. I don’t think there’s any pattern whatsoever,” Roth said. “Although I’m sorry to see them go, they have the freedom of choice.”