La Mirada City Council Candidates Reach Out To Voters ‘In Their Own Words’

The La Mirada Lamplighter and Los Cerritos Community Newspaper would like to urge all voters to head to the polls and to cast a ballot in next Tuesday’s March 5^th City Council Elections.

Here are the “official” ballot statements from each of the candidates, in their own words.

GABE GARCIA

Age: 49

Occupation: Incumbent

Gabe Garcia is the Director of Parks and Community Services. He graduated from C.S.U.L.B. and has lived in the community for 23 years. He is married, Maria, and has two children, Paul and Cristina.

Gabe Garcia is involved in his community. Gabe serves as your Mayor, and he attends Beatitudes Church. He has served 4 years on the City Council, 12 years on the Norwalk/La Mirada School Board, and Planning and Public Safety Commissions.

Gabe Garcia understands law enforcement. As a former Deputy Sheriff and current Reserve Police Ofﬁcer, Gabe makes public safety a top priority. He understands and supports the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments so our community is safe. Gabe Garcia supports quality of life for residents and their families. In his professional career, he provides recreation, athletics and senior services and programs.

Gabe will continue to make sure our children, adults and seniors have the very best and affordable programs. Gabe Garcia commits to a ﬁscally sound City. As your Council Member, Gabe works hard to ensure the City has strong ﬁnancial reserves. He ensures the City lives within its means and his economic priorities are strengthening local revenues, attracting and retaining businesses.

RANDY GRAY

Age: 52

Occupation: School District Administrator

My wife, Renee, and I have raised our three children in La Mirada for the past 18 years. I have served an active role in youth sports including AYSO, Little League, and NJB. I also served on the Community Services Commission and as Athletic Council President.

I earned my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from CSUF and my doctorate in Educational Leadership from USC. I have worked in Education for 25 years. I currently monitor the use of State and Federal funds for the Paramount Uniﬁed School District and oversee a budget of over 10 million dollars.

I truly believe in giving back to the community that has provided so much to my family and me. I will contribute as a member of the City Council by ensuring that the funds generated by Measure I will address the infrastructure repairs recommended by the Citizens’ Task Force. I will also work steadfastly to maintain La Mirada’s reputation as a business friendly city.

Ultimately, I want to maintain the family friendly reputation that La Mirada so richly deserves. I respectfully ask for your support and your vote. I pledge to always give my best effort to each and every citizen of La Mirada.

ANDREW SAREGA

Occupation: Police Ofﬁcer / Businessman

I have lived in La Mirada my entire life, graduating from La Mirada High School with highest honors and attending Biola University.

As a law enforcement ofﬁcer I took an oath to serve my community with integrity and honor. I will bring these virtues with me to city council. I will work tirelessly to make La Mirada a leader in government transparency.

My current profession as a law enforcement ofﬁcer has given me great insight and experience with local governments. My vision for La Mirada is to ﬁrst restore ﬁscal stability and responsibility to a city that has declared ﬁscal crisis.

I will work to bring businesses back to the city, not increases taxes on them.

Public safety is also a top priority for me as most cities are experiencing increased crime. I want to work with the LA Sheriff Department to provide La Mirada with the best service and safety of any city around. I will work with the citizens to reduce the waste and bureaucracy in local government.

Please join me in bringing a new era of prosperity to La Mirada.

STEVE KEITHLY

Age: 61

Occupation: Businessman

As long-time residents of La Mirada, my wife and I have raised our children here and greatly beneﬁtted from this community. La Mirada is a wonderful city and it can be made even better!

During the last few years I have served in various appointed positions, learning and coming to understand the functioning of the city. In recent years, I have served on the Community Services Foundation, both Citizens Financial Task Forces and currently serve as vice-chairman of the Planning Commission. On the Commission, we have worked diligently in developing and modernizing the city’s commercial centers.

I feel it’s time to take the next step and continue to grow and prosper this outstanding community. This is the reason I am running for City Council. With my years of business experience, I bring a valuable and unique skill-set to the Council. I am thoroughly familiar with the practical as well as the ﬁnancial requirements of running a successfully organization and will use these skills to make certain that city resources are efﬁciently managed.

I would ask for your vote on February 5th, for a better La Mirada!

PAULINE L. DEAL

Age: 53

Occupation: Appointed Incumbent

It’s been a privilege to serve as Councilmember of the City of La Mirada. I’ve been a resident of La Mirada for 33 years. My husband Jeff and I raised our family here in the community we love. My occupational background is in the ﬁeld of ﬁnance. I work as an assistant controller.

Active in the community for many years, I’ve served as an elected member of the Norwalk-La Mirada Board of Education for over 15 years, as board member of several La Mirada PTAs, and as a board member and coach with the La Mirada Girls Softball Association. In July 2011, I was appointed to the La Mirada City Council.

La Mirada’s civic leadership has a distinguished history of excellence. It’s my desire to build on this tradition by pledging that I will continue to dedicate my efforts to representing you with integrity, honesty, and trustworthy stewardship.

La Mirada residents have the right to expect their representatives to govern with self-interests set aside, with an unwavering commitment to public safety, and with the highest sense of ﬁscal responsibility. I am ﬁrmly committed to these goals, and if elected, will continue to work diligently for you.

I humbly ask for your vote in this important election.