LA HABRA : Garcia to Serve as City’s 1st Latino Mayor

Juan M. Garcia will begin his third year on the City Council as the city’s first Latino mayor.

His colleagues on the council voted unanimously last week to give Garcia, 42, the mostly ceremonial post, in which he will conduct meetings, award proclamations and represent the city at special events. Steven C. Anderson will serve as mayor pro tem.

Garcia now leads a city in which 34% of the population is Latino, according to 1990 U.S. Census figures. City officials said, however, now estimate that number at 40% or more.

“I hope that by my being mayor now, Latinos might feel a little more at ease in coming to City Hall and addressing their concerns,” Garcia said. “I come from a background that gives me a very good understanding of the culture, and I will try to be as consistent and fair as possible, regardless of what a person’s race or background might be.”

Garcia said that he will ask the the council next month for a list of goals.

“I will put (the goals) up on a chalkboard and start trying to ensure that all are going to be met,” he said.

Garcia, who was born in Nueva Rosita, Mexico, has lived in La Habra since 1957. He and his wife, Kathy, have a daughter, Stephanie, 16, and son, Adam, 14.

The new mayor attended La Habra High School and graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1979. He is a business coordinator at Chevron Petroleum Technology Co.