LA PALMA : Family of the Year Idea Is Under Study

Pending further study by city staffers, the City Council has delayed action on a proposal to reinstate the Family of the Year competition.

The city launched its Family of the Year award in 1992 but later dropped it because of budget problems. The competition was coordinated by a city advisory group, the Cultural and Beautification Committee.

Kathy Grover, a member of that committee, urged the council last week to reinstate the Family of the Year competition. Grover said the Cypress Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has offered to donate $250 to La Palma to pay the annual cost of the family competition.

City Council members told Grover they appreciated the church’s generosity. But several council members expressed reservations about reinstating the competition.

Mayor Wally D. Linn said that when the first family competition was held in 1992, he felt “uncomfortable” in having to pass over the nominated families who did not win. “I was worried about how they were going to feel,” Linn said.

The mayor added that he has nothing against the idea of honoring families. “I’m not opposed to the concept,” he said.

Councilman Larry A. Herman said: “I feel that if a program like this is going to be run, it ought to be run by a service organization, such as the Lions or someone else--not the city.”

Several council members said they needed assurance that there would be a source of continued funding for the competition if it is reinstated.

Grover said she felt sure the Latter-Day Saints Cypress Stake, which includes La Palma, would agree to a continuing commitment to pay for the program. She said she would try to get a written commitment and bring it to City Manager Pamela Gibson.

The council unanimously voted to have Gibson and other city staffers further study the competition proposal and to submit a report to the council later this year.