LAKEWOOD : City Begins Celebrating its 40th Anniversary
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Lakewood turns 40 next month, and city officials already have begun to celebrate.
About 400 people turned out earlier this month for a ceremony commemorating the city’s incorporation on April 16, 1954.
John S. Todd, Lakewood’s only city attorney, recalled how officials in Long Beach and the county predicted that the city would fail. “Neither I nor anyone else imagined we would be this successful,” he said.
City officials initiated a system of contracting for services, such as police and fire, to hold down costs. The system became a model for many other communities.
At the March 9 ceremony, City Administrator Howard L. Chambers was given a career achievement award for the 18 years he has served in his position.
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