ANAHEIM : Council Abolishes Economic Board

The City Council this week abolished the city’s Economic Development Board, whose members included some of the city’s business leaders, after the group failed to meet for two years.

The council announced it would abolish the board three weeks ago, saying it had outlived its purpose and that many of its functions had been assumed by the Private Industry Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

However, some board members said they wanted to meet and assist the city with its economic problems but were never given direction by the council. Members included Dennis Hardin, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the owners and managers of some of the city’s largest businesses such as Anaheim Disposal and the Delco-Remy auto parts factory.

The council voted 3 to 1 Tuesday to abolish the panel.

Councilman William D. Ehrle, who proposed the board four years ago and now supported its demise, said the board’s goals were to make suggestions regarding downtown redevelopment, reviving Anaheim Plaza and building an auto center.

“And it met those goals,” Ehrle said. “I think eventually we will reinstate some economic board, but it will be in a different fashion that will work more with Private Industry Council and the chamber.”

Councilman Tom Daly opposed abolishing the board, saying, “I would rather see us fix it.”

Councilman Bob D. Simpson was absent.

Hardin, the owner of two Anaheim auto dealerships, said Wednesday he was disappointed by the decision.

“The board was never taken seriously by the City Council,” he said. “The board could have been a very strong resource.”

But he said the chamber will try to promote economic development, particularly retail.

“This city needs shopping malls and auto dealerships, not only for the sales tax revenue and the jobs but for the convenience of its residents,” Hardin said. “There is no reason the people of Anaheim should have to drive to (Tustin) Market Place o the Cerritos Auto Square. Other cities have those things, why not Anaheim?”