CITY GUIDE: LA PALMA

Mayor Kenneth Blake

Age: 50

Occupation: Controller-accountant

First elected: 1994

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: Promoting fiscal stability; continuing a business-friendly environment and retaining businesses in the city; maintaining public safety and police services; working with youth; keeping “high quality of living in the city.”

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Councilwoman Charlene Hatakeyama

Age: 51

Occupation: Insurance agent

First elected: 1994

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: “Maintaining the city’s financial strength and stability is always our primary concern, but a close second is the strong sense of safety and comfort afforded by the excellent work of our police and public works departments. Also key to La Palma’s future health and vitality is the continuation of our Youth 20/20 program. Our youth are our future.”

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Councilwoman Eva Miner Bradford

Age: 72

Occupation: Professional image consultant

First elected: 1988

Term expires: 2000

Key issues: Maintaining city finances and trying to deal with Proposition 218; completing work on Rancho Verde Park; providing quality services for all residents.

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Councilwoman Alta E. Duke

Age: 64

Occupation: Social services manager for city of Downey

First elected: 1996

Term expires: 2000

Key issues: Focusing on city finances and finding a resolution to problems created by Proposition 218; opposing possible school-board sale of some land at Kennedy High School.

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Councilman Paul F. Walker

Age: 37

Occupation: Orange County firefighter

First elected: 1996

Term expires: 2000

Key issues: Opposing possible sale by school board of Kennedy High land; pushing for construction of an auditorium at Kennedy High; setting aside city money for “total reconstruction” of some aging streets.

Other Key Officials

City Manager: Daniel E. Keen

Age: 38

Length in office: 2 1/3 years

City Attorney: Joel Kuperberg

Age: 43

Length in office: 10 years

Police Chief: Vince Giampa

Age: 50

Length in office: 4 months

Fire Services: Provided under contract with Orange County Fire Authority

How to Reach Them

Council meets: First and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 7822 Walker Street

Hours: City Hall, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Closed Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Telephone: (714) 523-7700

Fax: (714) 523-2141

Factoids

Motto: “City of Vision”

Flower: Daisy

Incorporated: 1955

Population: 15,500

Legislative districts:

* 39th Congressional District (Congressman Ed Royce)

* 34th Senatorial District (Sen. Rob Hurtt) and 35th Senatorial District (Ross Johnson)

* 67th Assembly District (Assemblyman Scott Baugh) and 68th Assembly District (Curt Pringle)

Operating budget: $10.7 million in 1997-’98

Number of employees: 59 full time; 42 part time

Highest paid employee: City manager, $94,600 annual salary

Council perks: Members receive $360 per month for service in three roles: as council members, redevelopment commission members and planning commission members

RESEARCHED BY JULIO V. CANO