City Guide

WESTMINSTER

Mayor: Charles V. Smith

Age: 61

Occupation: Retired aerospace engineering manager

First elected: November, 1984

Term expires: November, 1996

Key issues: Wants to fight crime through aggressive anti-gang programs. Supports redevelopment efforts in blighted areas. Wants to expand the city’s beautification program, promote tourism in the Little Saigon area and renovate the Civic Center area.

*

Councilwoman: Charmayne S. Bohman

Age: 57

Occupation: Psychologist, professor at Cal State Dominguez Hills

First elected: November, 1992

Term expires: November, 1996

Key issues: Wants to continue her strong support for police services. Supports efforts to beautify the city and foster a climate for business investment. Wants to provide more recreational and cultural services. Supports a complete the reorganization of the Fire Department.

*

Councilman: Frank Fry Jr.

Age: 69

Occupation: Retired store manager

First elected: January, 1966

Term expires: November, 1996

Key issues: Wants the city to reach out to ethnic minority groups. Supports the Community Arts Center. Supports conservative investment policies for the city. Supports community policing and expanded youth and senior programs.

*

Councilman: Tony Lam

Age: 58

Occupation: Restaurant owner

First elected: November, 1992

Term expires: November, 1998

Key issues: Supports the redevelopment of blighted areas in the city. Supports making Little Saigon a tourist area and an international trade center. Endorses the hiring of more bilingual police officers. Wants the Police Department to reach out more to Vietnamese Americans and other minority groups.

*

Councilwoman: Margie L. Rice

Age: 65

Occupation: Board member, Midway City Sanitary District

First elected: November, 1994

Term expires: November, 1998

Key issues: Wants to repeal the city’s utility tax and expand senior and youth programs. Supports efforts to attract new businesses and keep existing ones. Supports community policing. Wants the public to have easy access to city officials.

*

Other Key Officials

City manager: Bill Smith

Age: 54

Length in office: Since September

*

City attorney: Richard D. Jones

Age: 45

Length in office: Five years

*

Police chief: James Cook

Age: 57

Length in office: Six years

*

Fire chief: John T. DeMonaco Jr.

Age: 47

Length in office: One year

*

How to Reach Them

Council meets: Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m., City Hall, 8200 Westminster Blvd.

Hours: City Hall is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Telephone: (714) 898-3311

Fast Facts

Motto: “City of Progress--Built on Pride”

Flower: Roundelay rose

Incorporated: 1957

Population: 81,072

Legislative districts: 45th and 46th Congressional Districts, 34th and 35th state Senate Districts, 67th and 68th Assembly Districts

1993-94 budget: $66.7 million

Number of employees: 348

Highest-paid employee: City manager, who makes $110,000 per year

City Council stipends: $500 a month plus $50 for each Redevelopment Agency meeting (up to four meetings a month)

RESEARCHED BY BERT ELJERA