Placentia : Bob Kuznik Resigns From City Council

In packed council chambers that had residents overflowing into the hallway, Councilman Bob Kuznik this week made his final comments as a city official.

Kuznik, the target of criticism from some residents, announced his resignation Tuesday night citing “new opportunities.” He said Wednesday that he did not resign because of “harassment or heat” but that “admittedly, that kind of activity makes it difficult for one to want to continue on.”

Kuznik is president of Anaheim-based Jaycox Disposal Co., which handles Placentia’s garbage collection, and has been accused of a conflict of interest ever since he joined the council in 1982. Then a Planning Commission member, Kuznik stepped into one of three council positions left vacant after a successful recall effort spearheaded by residents. A few months later, he was elected for a four-year term with the highest number of votes any council member ever received in the city.

“I’ve been tested and pushed to my limits, and I know that I’ve grown and matured because of it,” Kuznik said to the crowd, which gave him a standing ovation after his speech.

Kuznik would not say Wednesday what new opportunities led to his resignation. He said he is not planning to leave the city, his company or seek a new political office, either in Placentia or elsewhere.

The council now has fewer than 30 days to choose a replacement, schedule a special election which would a cost from $10,000 to $12,000--or elect to wait until the next election, City Administrator Roger Kemp said. The next election is scheduled for April but could be pushed to November, 1986, depending on the outcome of a vote next month on whether to consolidate city elections with statewide elections.

Kuznik’s term would have expired in April, 1986.

In addition to replacing Kuznik, the council also must decide whether to make an interim appointment or hold an election to replace City Clerk Doris Black, who announced her resignation and a move to Dana Point, Kemp said.