Q & A : Fountain Valley Mayor George B. Scott

After 21 years on the Fountain Valley City Council, Mayor George B. Scott says he will leave public service when his term ends in November. Scott, 63, came to the city 32 years ago and has been mayor five times. An insurance broker, Scott was first elected to the council in 1969, served until 1978 and was reelected in 1984. After running unsuccessfully this year for a seat on the county Board of Supervisors, Scott said he would not seek other public offices. The Chamber of Commerce honored him recently by establishing a trophy to be given annually in his name to an outstanding business. “It’s better than having a street named after you,” said Scott, who is also a longtime supporter of the Boys and Girls Club. He spoke recently with Times correspondent Debra Cano about his three decades of civic service.

Q: Why you get involved in city government?

A: To be involved in the community. When I moved to Fountain Valley there were only 5,000 people, now we have 55,000 people. I’ve been able to see it grow and have a hand in just about every decision. It’s been a lot of work, a lot fun, and there’s been a few heartaches along the way. I first ran because I didn’t like what was going on. The council wasn’t getting along and was starting to bicker. Any time you have a divided council, you have a divided city. My philosophy has always been to work as a team, and if you lose an issue, don’t take it personally.

Q: What were some of your council goals?

A: My biggest goals were to build a team among the council, build a fountain [at City Hall] not using taxpayers’ money, and to bring in new businesses to bring in new sales tax revenues so we didn’t have to raise taxes and fees, which a lot of cities have had to do.

Q: What is the biggest change you’ve seen over the years?

A: The biggest change is the population and, of course, bringing in the discount retail centers. Over the years we got K mart, Pace Club, Sam’s Club and of course the king, the Price Club. Now we have Comp USA, Fry’s Electronics, and those are all big sales-tax generators. Then we got Mike Thompson’s RVs, and that’s a good tax generator too.

Q: What will be the hardest part of leaving city government for good?

A: I’m sure I will miss all the camaraderie and working with the council, but I won’t miss all the meetings, ribbon cuttings and all the nights you’re out. I’m 63 years old, I’m tired, and it’s time for younger blood to be involved.