City Guide : LA PALMA

Mayor: Wally D. Linn

Age: 55

Occupation: Banker

First elected: 1992

Term expires: 1996

Key issues: “My concerns are primarily financial. We need to establish a realistic budget and stay on track with it. With the advent of the difficulties with the (county) money pool, we need to make sure our investments are absolutely prudent.”

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Mayor Pro Tem: Duane F. Schuster

Age: 63

Occupation: Retired purchasing agent

First elected: 1992

Term expires: 1996

Key issues: “I’d like to see the affordable-housing project completed.” He said he is also concerned about city finances, in the wake of state cuts of funds once going to city governments. If at all possible, he said, he would like La Palma to be able to reduce the city’s 5% utility tax.

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Councilwoman: Eva G. Miner

Age: 69

Occupation: Businesswoman

First elected: 1988

Term expires: 1996

Key issues: She says the city needs to settle a lingering dispute about how many carwash outlets should be allowed in the community. “That’s No. 1, and No. 2 is completing our affordable-housing project, and No. 3 is staying (fiscally) afloat after this (county) bond issue situation.”

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Councilman: Kenneth Blake

Age: 47

Occupation: Controller-accountant

First elected: 1994

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: He says he is concerned about a possible reduction of state and county funds to the city, and how that would adversely affect the city’s level of services. “I’m also concerned about working with the citizens, encouraging them to get more involved in community activities.”

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Councilwoman: Charlene Hatakeyama

Age: 48

Occupation: Insurance agent

First elected: 1994

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: “We need to keep a close eye on the budget so we can maintain our level of services. We need to find additional resources and sources of income for the city. We also need to strengthen the general-fund reserves.”

Other Key Officials

City Manager: Pamela Gibson

Age: 50

Length in office: 4 1/2 years

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City Attorney: Joel D. Kuperberg

Age: 40

Length in office: Seven years

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Police Chief: David Barr

Age: 51

Length in office: Two years

Fire Services: Provided by the Orange County Fire Department

How to Reach Them

La Palma Police Department: (714) 523-4552; County Fire Department (714) 744-0400

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

Hours: City Hall, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays. Closed Friday-Sunday.

Telephone: (714) 523-7700

Fax: (714) 523-2141

Fast Facts

Motto: “City of Vision”

Flower: Daisy

Incorporated: 1955

Population: 16,000

Legislative districts: 39th Congressional District (U.S. Rep. Ed Royce); 35th state Senate District (Marian Bergeson) and 32nd state Senate District (Rob Hurtt); 67th state Assembly District (Doris Allen) and 68th Assembly District (Curt Pringle).

Operating budget: $8 million in 1994-95.

Number of employees: 60 full-time; 45 part-time.

Highest-paid employee: City Manager Pamela Gibson. Her annual salary is $85,824.

Council perks: Members receive $360 total per month for service in three roles: council and redevelopment and planning commissions.

RESEARCHED BY BILL BILLITER