City Manager Replaces Administrators

In his first effort to organize a new management team at City Hall since he was hired last December, Lawndale City Manager John Nowak has decided to replace two high-ranking city employees and a part-time contract employee with two new hires.

Karen Stauffer, who worked as an assistant to the city manager of La Mesa in San Diego County for the last 15 years, will become Lawndale’s assistant city manager, a post that has not been filled since March, 1990.

Gary Chicots, director of planning for the city of Rosemead for the last five years, will become Lawndale’s community development director and deputy director of the city’s newly formed Redevelopment Agency.

Both Stauffer and Chicots, who are scheduled to begin work on May 1, will earn $63,000 a year in their new jobs.

Stauffer’s responsibilities will include those previously handled by Finance Director Judith Longman and Grants Administrator Barbara Workman, both of whom will be let go at the end of the month.

Chicot will replace John Chapman, who has worked as a part-time contract employee since last year.