STANTON : New Services Panel Members Named

The City Council appointed seven people this week to the new Community Services Commission, including Joan Thomas, director of the Greater Stanton Chamber of Commerce.

The new commission will advise the council on housing, job creation, parks and recreation, issues affecting senior citizens and cultural arts. The commission was created to take the place of both the Recreation and Leisure Services Commission and the Community Affairs Committee.

The council also appointed two residents each to the Planning Commission and the Personnel Advisory Board.

William Estrada and Lawrence J. Romagnino were reappointed to the Planning Commission.

Romagnino served as a planning commissioner from 1959 to 1978. He served on the City Council from 1978 to 1982 and as mayor his last year on council. He has served on the Planning Commission since 1986.

“I still think I have a lot to offer,” he told the council before his reappointment.

Richard Juline was reappointed to the Personnel Advisory Board, which meets as needed to hear city employee grievances. Maureen K. Blonski was also appointed to the board.

In addition to Thomas, Brenda M. Caldera, a warehouse director for Pace Membership Warehouse and former member of the Community Affairs Committee, was appointed to the Community Services Commission. So were Linda J. Pappas Diaz, assistant to the city manager of Buena Park; Brian Donahue, a public school administrator and former recreation and leisure services commissioner; Paul St. Clair, a truck driver and former recreation and leisure services commissioner; Mary Lara, a member of Standing Together Now, an anti-gang neighborhood organization; and Helen Ramirez, an office manager and former Community Affairs Committee member.