Statement of Introduction and Qualifications

By Kenneth A. "Ken" Blake

I have been a resident for 27 years and active in our community. I am running for re-election so I can utilize my experience to better serve the citizens of La Palma.

It is important for a small city like La Palma to have experienced council members to provide a voice on appointed committees and provide continuity on the council to handle continuing issues and long term projects.

When I was elected four years ago, I made a commitment to be an involved and informed council member. I believe I have kept this commitment. I have taken an active role in representing La Palma on appointed city council committees, Orange County boards and committees, and a state policy committee. I'm currently chairing the Orange County Fire Authority's Planning and Operations committee. I am active in our committee on Youth 20/20 committees, John F. Kennedy High School Scholarship Foundation, John F. Kennedy School Site Council, La Palma Days Parade committee, and I'm the current President of the La Palma Kiwanis Club.

The job of council member in a small city like La Palma requires a larger time commitment than most citizens realize. I am fortunate in that my employer is committed to allow me the time required to adequately perform my responsibilities as a city council member. This is critical since most of the required representation by the city, such as Sanitation District, Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Public Library Advisory Board, Orange County Vector Control and the council's Business Retention and cable TV committees, hold their meetings during the day. I have the ability to attend these daytime meetings.

An example of how valuable this involvement has been is the fact that after the bankruptcy, La Palma's library was scheduled to be closed. This occurred the first year that I was on the Community Services State Policy committee. This committee provided me the information required to persuade the Orange County Librarian and Board of Supervisors to keep La Palma's branch library open, but only for three days a week. After being appointed to the Orange County Public Library Advisory Board, I was able to negotiate with larger cities to provide a standard minimum level of service of five days a week at all Orange County public libraries. For La Palma this represents a subsidy of $85,000 per year which we do not have to pay out of the General Fund.

As with the Orange County Public Library, the Fire Authority will be looking at the cost of fire protection for our city. La Palma needs a council member with the experience and understanding of this issue and who is familiar with the other board members. This knowledge will be essential to negotiate with other cities to cover a portion of or the entire amount of our shortfall. I have proven this ability!

I am proud of my accomplishments as a council member over the past four years:

• Guiding the city successfully through the Orange County bankruptcy without cuts in public safety or severe cuts in recreation programs and public works service levels.
• Keeping the library open and extending the operations to five days a week.
• Insisting on budgeting funds for a roller hockey rink and instrumental in creating a partnership with the city of Cypress to build the hockey rink in a location convenient for the La Palma citizens.
• I am also proud of having been a member of a council that has eliminated the $71.00 per household Landscape & Lighting District assessment; increased youth and community programs and volunteer opportunities; initiated programs to enhance the beauty of La Palma's streets and public areas; and taken action to create an open enrollment policy for all La Palma school-age children.

• Maintaining the superior level of police and fire protection without increased cost to the citizens.
• Continuing the City's financial stability through wise budgeting, and a strong commitment to retain existing business while attracting new sources of revenue.
• Continuing the beautification of the City's streets, buildings, and public areas.
• Continuing to bring the City's diverse cultures together through increased programs by the recreation department, community organizations, and partnerships with the local schools.