News
Five Candidates to Battle for Three Spots
Note: We have a correction in our story. Victor Juan pulled his papers and is not running for the position. Therefore, leaving only four candidates.
Norwalk~The November 8th election is quickly approaching with three seats up for grabs, to serve as a Governing Member on the Norwalk-La Mirada School District Board of Education.
The district is comprised of 17 elementary, six middle schools, and four high schools serving Norwalk, La Mirada and surrounding communities.
Lorraine Neal decided not to run for re-election, and Pauline Deal was recently appointed to a seat on the La Mirada City Council. That leaves Karen Morrison as the only incumbent running with the three spots available.
The candidates for the election, that is a little over six weeks away include: Jessie Urquidi, Diane Gramajo, Chris Pflanzer, Victor Juan and Morrison.
A Favorite in La Mirada for Decades
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Family Traditions Abound at The Carriage
La Mirada~The Voudouris family is hard at work, and has been for the past 30 years maintaining the tradition of The Carriage in La Mirada.
This casual diner will take you back to the old days with its southern home cooked meals and old fashioned menu items. The menu is packed full with pages to choose from, from breakfast to dinner, this diner really offers it all!
The most all around ordered item is the breakfast steak and eggs, but they offer all of the traditional items such omelet's, waffles, pancakes, and almost anything you can name, they have!
Nick Voudouris, restaurant manager, made sure it was known that the eggs are farm fresh- and you'll be sure to taste a difference! When talking about the menu, Nick said that if customers want to get a good homestyle breakfast, from the look, to the freshness, The Carriage uses quality ingredients and serves up generous portions.
Council Calls for New Deal at the Table
La Mirada~In a unanimous 5-0 vote, last night the La Mirada City Council voted to have La Mirada resident and current Norwalk-La Mirada Board Trustee, Pauline Deal to take the place of recently resigned, Susan Tripp.
Deal will serve out the remainder of Tripp's term, ending in March 2013. Her school board seat expires in November and sources close to the La Mirada Blog tell us the seat will remain vacant until then, when there's an election.
Thirteen residents applied for the La Mirada appointment, and on June 28th the council narrowed the field to five including Deal, Chris Pflanzer, Edward Eng, Michael Garcia, and Paul Brown.
Brown was fourth in the city council election this past March, just missing capturing one of three seats, finishing just behind Larry Mowles.
Tonight, after interviewing all five applicants the council then deliberated and nominated Deal who will be sworn in and take her place on council at next Tuesdays regularly scheduled meeting, July 12th, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
La Mirada Council Narrows Down Field
Council Decides to to Interview Five of Thirteen
La Mirada~It's something you don't see often in La Mirada at a city council meeting, but then again, it's only the second time in history the city has had to appoint a new city council member.
Tonight council members openly deliberated, and ultimately decided, to have five "finalists" to choose from, to fill the vacated Susan Tripp seat, after 13 applied.
Aside from time deadlines, there is no state law requiring how a council appoints a new council member.
At a special added-on study session meeting next Tuesday July 5th, public interviews will be held for the five who include: Attorney Paul Brown, Norwalk-La Mirada School Board Trustee Pauline Deal, LA County Director and La Mirada Public Safety Commissioner Edward Eng, Deputy Fire Chief and businessman, Michael Garcia, and business owner, Chris Pflanzer.
At the special meeting, each will be interviewed for approximately 20-30 minutes.
Two other applicants also received "mentions" from the panel-Luis Garcia, Robert Martin, and Phil Glenn.
As far as we know, the council will then decide who the new La Mirada City Councilmember will be, in time to participate in the July 19th regularly scheduled council meeting-and serve the remainder of the term until March 2013.
Local dignitaries in attendance at the meeting tonight included former council members Hal Malkin, Pete Dames, and Wayne Rew, with the latter speaking, and offering his views on the philosophy, traditional values, and the characteristics one must possess to be a La Mirada City Council member.
Photo: Chris Pflanzer and Pauline Deal await the word.
Bonus: Listen to Wayne Rew's comments here: http://twitvid.com/PVUFM
Three More Apply for Vacant La Mirada Seat
BREAKING NEWS: Six more, plus the three, file before deadline; see update below
La Mirada~Three more people threw their name in the ring yesterday by applying for a spot on the La MIrada City Council vacated by Susan Tripp when she resigned for business reasons.
This is a rare occurrence in La Mirada, happening only one other time in 1992 when the late Wayne Grisham was elected to Congress and vacated his La Mirada seat; Lou Piltz was then appointed to the panel.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. today. As of now, there are seven individuals who have applied with intent. Their occupation listed is public record.
Paul Brown, Deputy State Attorney.
Madeline Alexander, Retired Office Manager.
Edward Eng, Executive Director, Los Angeles County.
Robert Martin, Senior Computer Software Support Manager.
Pauline Deal, Norwalk-La Mirada School Board Member.
Andrew Sarega, Police Officer.
Chris Pflanzer, Owner, Public Relations Firm.
The city council will narrow the field down to three on June 28th. On July 5th council will conduct public interviews with the remaining three. Council will then deliberate and more than likely, will choose a new councilmember on July 19th, but by law, no later than August 16th.
UPDATE 06/22/10 17:15:The deadline has passed, and today six more residents filed applications for the vacant La Mirada seat:
Phillip Glen, Businessman.
John Hammargren, Retired Commander, LA County Sheriff Dept.
John Lewis, Attorney.
Michael Garcia, Deputy Fire Chief, Businessman.
Daniel Alexander, Manager, Research & Development/Senior Food Technologist.
Luis Cruz, Sales.
Applications Available for Council Vacancy
DEADLINE TODAY 5PM!
Applications are being accepted from residents who are interested in applying for a City Council seat being vacated by Susan Tripp, who submitted her resignation effective June 17.
The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. on June 22.
Applicants are required to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age, be a registered voter and a resident of La Mirada.
Application forms are available at City Hall and may be downloaded here. Applicants are required to submit a written statement detailing their qualifying background and experience.
The City Council cited concerns with the cost of holding a Special Election, as well as the lengthy delay in returning the City Council to its full complement of five members, as reasons for choosing to appoint a new Councilmember to fill the term which expires in 2013.
Councilmember Tripp, who was elected to City Council in 2001, resigned to dedicate more time on a new business venture that requires her to spend significant time away from La Mirada. Her final City Council meeting will be on June 14.
For additional information, contact the City Clerk's Office at (562) 943-0131.
La Mirada City Council Will Appoint New Member
Qualified La Mirada Residents May Apply
La Mirada~In a very short time, the La Mirada City Council has become a group of seasoned veterans to one that resembles a rookie league team.
Last night, in response to the recent resignation of Susan Tripp, a special council study session was held at city hall to determine whether the city should hold a special election in 
November or appoint a new council member, to take office next month in July.
Tripp's last council meeting will be June 14th, with her resignation effective June 17th.
State law requires the city to either fill the vacancy, or call for an election, within 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy.
Councilman Gabe Garcia said, "I'm not in favor of an election. It makes no sense. That's why we get elected-to make these decisions. There are plenty of good people in the community to choose from."
Councilman Steve DeRuse agreed, "I think it's the best thing for the city."
City Clerk Anne Haraksin was asked by Councilman Larry Mowles what a special election would cost the city. She said the cost of the last election in La Mirada "was around $90,000" but indicated that was a stand-alone election in March, not part of a general November election-so the cost could fluctuate.
Susan Tripp Resigns from the La Mirada City Council
CITY OF LA MIRADA PRESS RELEASE
La Mirada~Councilmember Susan Tripp has announced her retirement from the La Mirada City Council after 10 years of service. Her retirement is effective June 17, 2011.
Councilmember Tripp was serving her third term on the City Council. She was first elected to the City Council on March 6, 2001 and re-elected on March 8, 2005 and March 3, 2009. She twice served as Mayor from March 2004 to March 2005 and from March 2009 to March 2010.
"For over 10 years, Susan has provided dedicated leadership to the City as a member of the La Mirada City Council," says Mayor Steve Jones. "Her record of service to this community spans two decades, and she certainly will be missed."
During Councilmember Tripp's service on the Council, the City completed the construction of the La Mirada Community Sheriff's Station in March 2008 and Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center in November 2007.
Councilmember Tripp consistently supported strong public safety services and programs. Prior to being elected to the City Council, she served on the Communitywide Drug and Gang Task Force, was the Public Safety Commission Chair, Disaster Preparedness Steering Committee Co-Chair, and Neighborhood Watch Advisory Council Chair. While on the City Council, she always placed public safety as the City's top priority and encouraged La Mirada residents to get involved with Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and other volunteer programs.
Service Arrangements for Cameron Gillett
Last week, a shock wave was sent throughout La Mirada, when news arrived of the tragic death of La Mirada High School graduate, and beloved athlete and community member, Cameron Gillett. The community is still reeling.
Although, we here at the La Mirada Blog have been saddened into silence, we feel it is our responsibility to post Service Arrangements, so as many people as possible may pay their respect. Our thoughts are with Cameron's loved ones and friends.
Here is a link to a nice story from the Long Beach Press-Telegram: http://tinyurl.com/3n4ay9k
Viewing:
Thursday, May 12, 2011, 3 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
All Souls Mortuary
4400 Cherry Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 424-8601
Funeral Services:
Friday, May 13, 2011, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Zoe Christian Fellowship
10252 Mills Avenue
Whittier, CA 90604
(562) 906-5000
Burial directly after the service:
Rose Hills Memorial Park
3688 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
(Lupine Lawn, Grave 1)
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