CITY GUIDE: GARDEN GROVE

L.A. Times Archives

Jan. 24, 1998 12 AM PT

Mayor Bruce Broadwater

Age: 59

Occupation: State deputy labor commissioner

First elected: November 1992 to council; November 1994 as mayor

Term expires: November 1998

Key issues: Considers many of the city’s problems to be under control, but sees finances and keeping the city solvent as major concerns; says the city is working hard to lure new business into Garden Grove, a much-needed way of increasing sales and bed tax revenue to bolster the city’s budget.

Councilman Ho Chung

Age: 63

Occupation: Insurance agent

First elected: November 1992

Term expires: November 2000

Key issues: Redevelopment of some of the city’s more blighted areas, and the difficult decisions involving eminent domain and relocating existing businesses and homeowners. Says bringing new development into the city is in the best interest of all citizens.

Councilman Bob Dinsen

Age: 80

Occupation: Retired building contractor

Appointed: April 1980

Term expires: November 1998

Key issues: Concerned about the Redevelopment Agency’s decision to buy out the Oasis Mobile Home Park and relocate its more than 100 elderly residents. Also concerned about subsidies the agency gives to new projects in town. Opposed the city’s takeover of the Garden Grove Sanitary District and most redevelopment projects.

Councilman Mark Leyes

Age: 39

Occupation: Government relations, Orange County Water District

First elected: November 1990

Term expires: November 1998

Key issues: Public safety with a focus on crime prevention through community policing. Government efficiency and accountability at the city level and countywide. Commercial redevelopment of Garden Grove by bringing new jobs and businesses to the city.

Councilman Ken Maddox

Age: 33

Occupation: Tustin police officer

First elected: November 1996

Term expires: November 2000

Key issues: Concerned about redevelopment issues and the need to rebuild the city’s infrastructure while bringing commerce into Garden Grove and providing new revenue sources. Says turnaround hinges on redevelopment, which will help to fill city coffers and fill much-needed positions in the Police Department.

Other Key Officials

City Manager: George Tindall

Age: 53

Time in position: Nine years

City Attorney: John Shaw

Age: 53

Time in position: Five years (contracted position)

Police Chief: Position is vacant

Fire Chief: Warren Hartley

Age: 57

Time in position: One month

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