Later, he was a member of the city’s Community Service Foundation for a couple of years, a number of task forces in 2007 and 2012, and currently serves as vice-chairman of the Planning Commission. As a member of a Financial Task Force he deemed it prudent to recommend the raising of the sales tax in the city as a means of strengthening the financial structure.

He is a partner in a successful business, Whittier Mailing Products that has quadrupled sales in 15 years. He knows how to make things work and has built up a staff of employees some of whom had excellent backgrounds from ‘higher power’ companies; he has virtually no turnovers.

KEITHLY: Wants the culture of the City of La Mirada to continue where people can raise their families in safety and in a well kept environment.  There are, however, a few issues that need much attention and, in his view, have taken far too long to resolve.

MORE: The Imperial corridor is an embarrassment with its aging 1940’s appearance and shopping centers in dire need of uplifts. Since there are no redevelopment monies available at this time, more pressure must be put on multiple owners to assist in this regard. He would have no problem with providing the ‘muscle’ to do this.  With a recession and 30% cut in revenues, the task is difficult.  Tom Robinson has managed the city well with budget and personnel cuts, but there is much more to accomplish. Fat has been cut and we are well into the muscle.  We have lost 20 key people in the system and there is no ‘farm club’ left. Keithly would like to be involved in the selection of a new City Manager upon Robinson’s retirement.

MORE: SPLASH! has been an excellent, very good entity in La Mirada.  Reports declare it profitable, but with the costs of maintenance and general expenses, we must be diligent in developing new ways to raise money to recoup any possible losses – perhaps corporate party planning, and the like. A good job has been done to maintain the theatre, also. There are possibilities to make this more profitable.

Steve Keithly believes he is the person to get the job done.  His is collegial in nature and “plays well with others”.  More can be found at www.keithly4council.com. He would be honored to serve.

In response to a question about what is left to try for redevelopment of the Imperial Corridor after it has already been discussed for 25 years, Keithly answered that it is not easy without redevelopment monies.  However, discussions with the many property and home owners need to be retried and the council may have to entertain ordinances to pressure them.  He believes he has the gloves-off approach in his skills’ set that works be valuable here.