BUENA PARK : Griffin, Bone Vow to Tackle Fiscal Woes

Don R. Griffin and Donald L. Bone, returned to their seats on the City Council in Tuesday’s balloting, are vowing to tackle tough decisions ahead despite the poor economy and the city’s nearly $2-million loss in state revenue.

Bone, 49, a painting contractor who will be serving a second term, said the top two issues facing the city are its budget woes and the local economy.

“They’re the top two challenges not only in the next six months, but the next couple of years,” he said. “The budget deficit is going to be a matter of reviewing and coming up with some innovative methods to help us balance our budget; every aspect of the city will be reviewed.”

Bone said dealing with these issues is just part of the job he was willing to take on. “I knew there were challenges ahead and the way we’ve met them in the past is the way we’ll do it in the future--by working as a team with the community, business leaders and employee associations,” he said. “We have tried to approach government in Buena Park as a team effort.”

Griffin, 62, who ran a campaign promoting his experience and leadership, is serving a fifth team on the council. He said his concerns as a city leader also include the economic well-being of the city.

“I’m going to continue to work to find solutions and get state and federal governments to ease up on the demands they’re making on our” citizens, said Griffin, an architect and planner. “All of which has a price tag. And somebody has to pay the price--the citizens of Buena Park.”

Griffin also said the city must make sound fiscal decisions. “I don’t see our city becoming a negatively run system, such as the state and federal systems,” he said.

Both councilmen said they oppose new taxes to balance the budget.