Bellflower City Council

Bellflower population: 61,815

Election: April 14

On the ballot: Eight candidates for two at-large seats

INCUMBENTS

Randy Bomgaars

Age: 41

Occupation: Fifth-grade teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

Remarks: “I’m trying to come from a very positive approach, that this is still a good community that has a lot of potential. We need to move ahead, recognize those positive things and continue to dream.” During his first term, the city accomplished such things as completion of the aquatic center at Thompson Park, the downtown transit center, elimination of “boom boxes” and use of reclaimed water for irrigation. He supports the controversial 1991 ordinance that banned smoking in restaurants, calling it a “health issue, not a rights issue.” He said the city acted properly when it used federal funds to give businessman Pete Ellis $700,000 in loans and grants to keep his Bellflower Ford dealership open, only to see it close three months later. “We had to do what we could to preserve $400,000 a year in sales tax revenue.” He supports redevelopment as the best means to revitalize retail business.

Joseph E. Cvetko

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired mail carrier

Remarks: “I’m retired and I have the time, interest, desire, intellect and the vision for a better Bellflower in the future. I want to continue being a public servant for all the residents of our city, to see that they all get fair treatment from local government and City Hall.” He voted for the no-smoking ordinance but now favors a split between smoking and nonsmoking sections in restaurants. He contends that the total ban harms restaurants in today’s poor economy. He believes that the loan to the Pete Ellis Ford dealership was a sound way to protect sales taxes and jobs. “We took a calculated risk. If he’d survived, we’d have been heroes. He failed and we’re dogs.” He wants the city to emphasize its low, $25-a-year basic business license fee to attract new businesses and generate sales tax. He said redevelopment should be used to benefit merchants already in the city.

CHALLENGERS

John Butts

Age: 45

Occupation: Owner, Allstate Roofing

Remarks: “By attending council meetings and voicing my opinion, whether right or wrong, I have become disenchanted. When five of them voted this no-smoking ordinance in during a depression, I thought it was totally unjust.” He said the city wrongly “dictated to the local businessman” what he had to do on his own property. Butts favors either having smoking and nonsmoking areas in restaurants or placing the ban on the ballot. He also disapproves of the Pete Ellis loan. “There was no proper research done. There should not have been a loan to him in the first place.” He advocates more city programs for youths and senior citizens, and said youths involved in shootings should be publicly identified and prosecuted as adults. “You would have young kids stop and think before they pull something off.” He supports redevelopment and financial incentives to improve business.

Ken Cleveland

Age: 59

Occupation: Partner, Cleveland Development Inc.

Remarks: “Through a streak of bad luck, the city is probably in the worst financial position it has ever been in. It’s not totally the council’s fault, but their priorities are not going in the right direction.” He said some council actions have been “anti-business,” including the no-smoking ordinance, which he contends makes Bellflower restaurants less competitive and deprives restaurant owners of a choice. He advocates both smoking and nonsmoking sections for restaurants. He said the council was “naive” in the Ellis deal and should have made sure Ellis had a Ford credit line allowing him to stay in business. He said the city should use Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies more effectively in fighting gangs. He believes redevelopment must concentrate “on a major tax-producing business” and opposes “more small strip centers.” He served three council terms between 1970 and 1990.

Ruth Gilson

Age: 38

Occupation: Homemaker

Remarks: “I favor doing things for the people. I feel there is too much real estate influence in Bellflower. My only special interest group is the people. I want to keep Bellflower moving ahead. This is a nice place to live and have a business.” She wants the no-smoking ordinance repealed. “I’m not saying smoking is good for you, but government should not tell a business they can’t allow something in their restaurant.” She said all Bellflower got out of the Ellis loan was embarrassment and the cost of suing him for the money. She said citizens have seen a “loss of rights” through such things as creation of a street light assessment district, which she calls a “loophole about Prop. 13,” and a lawn parking ban. “We need an overall master plan of redevelopment so people will know when and what will be done with their land. I want to see improvement but I don’t want to see anyone pushed out or eminent domain used.”

Mary Jane McIntosh

Age: 28

Occupation: Owner, Christopher Transport

Remarks: “I’ve run a neighborhood watch program for six years and have attended council meetings for 2 1/2 years, missing only three. I am seeing the amount of dissension that has been going on. They’re not paying attention to what is best for the city.” She said the council has ignored the General Plan by approving variances for nonconforming buildings and has selectively enforced the ordinance controlling temporary real estate and political signs. “My goal is to provide strong leadership to our community.” She supports the no-smoking ordinance. “I know how hard it is when I’m at a restaurant trying to enjoy a meal and I have cigarette smoke coming over to my table.” She said the Ellis loan was “a business decision that had to be made. The city was facing a large shortfall if Ellis closed.” She favors a redevelopment plan for the business area. She served on the city Human Services Commission in 1990 and 1991.

Art Olivier

Age: 34

Occupation: Construction engineer

Remarks: “I’m concerned about the way they’ve been handling the budget for the last couple of years, with the $700,000 giveaway to Pete Ellis. I don’t believe they should be in that kind of business, taking taxpayers’ money and giving it to a millionaire like Pete Ellis.” Olivier opposes the city’s policy of paying the employees’ contribution to the state retirement system, as well as money spent so far on setting up the redevelopment agency. “It’s scaring the business owners in the redevelopment district, because any day they could confiscate their property. I oppose any use of eminent domain to take property.” He said the no-smoking ordinance has harmed business, and he wants to replace it with a policy allowing smoking sections in restaurants. He opposes the lighting assessment district. He ran unsuccessfully for the 54th Assembly District seat in 1990 as a Libertarian.

Rick Royse

Age: 44

Occupation: Owner, Artesia Fertilizer and Citrus Nursery

Remarks: “I’m tired of people telling me what to do. They’re passing ordinances they don’t know anything about, not asking people to take a vote on it, doing as they please. The smoking ordinance really upset everyone. They should have left it up to the local business owner if he wants to be no-smoking or go for a percentage.” He said permit fees for major home improvements, such as new roofs, are too high and discourage people from doing the work. He said the city should have gotten a guarantee from Ford that Ellis would continue in business before lending him money. “Pete Ellis went broke and Bellflower lost a lot of money.” He advocates television advertising to attract new businesses and revenue. He said redevelopment should be used to help people now in business. “I have business experience. I know what it takes to make a living. With me, you’ll get some change, new blood.”