Bell Gardens Awards Job to Councilwoman
Political brawling returned to Bell Gardens this week after the City Council gave the city manager’s job to one of its own, a woman with no college degree and no government administrative experience.
In voting to appoint Maria Chacon as city manager, the council chose a member who has led successful recall efforts against political enemies in the working-class city.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Dec. 14, 2000 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday December 14, 2000 Home Edition Metro Part B Page 3 Metro Desk 1 inches; 28 words Type of Material: Correction
Freeway name--A Metro section article on Saturday about Bell Gardens politics incorrectly described the section of Interstate 5 bordering that city. It is properly called the Santa Ana Freeway.
The appointment boosts her annual salary from $31,400 to about $80,000. The council also voted to appoint former Councilman Rudy Garcia, a Chacon ally, to fill her council post.
Chacon insists that she is qualified for the job because of her in-depth knowledge of the city’s government and its residents.
“I bring experience and that is extremely important,” she said in an interview Friday. “What good is it if people have credentials hanging on the wall but don’t have any passion for helping the people?”
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