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Politics & Government

Los Alamitos Mayor Pro Tem: It's Been 'My Extreme Privilege' to Serve

In an email to Patch, Marilynn Poe talks about her decision not to run for re-election.

The following is an excerpt from an email sent Saturday to Patch from Los Alamitos Mayor Pro Tem Marilynn Poe :

It has been my extreme privilege and a great honor given to me by the residents of Los Alamitos to have been elected to the City Council of Los Alamitos over the past 16 years and my appointment to the Parks &Recreation Commission the six years prior.

I have tried to serve the community with the wishes and needs of theresidents and business as a guiding force.

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Since my reelection four years ago, our Council has stabilized and consolidated our city management, cut Councilpay, reduced our spending 13 percent, and have balanced our budget every year without dipping into our reserves.

Plus we have seen a four year decrease in crime across the city of Los Alamitos because we have been able to hireofficers to fill open positions.

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Among all of the controversy by a very small faction of the community, we nowhave the best Trash Contract in Orange Co. which has brought a guaranteed income to our community, fundingfor 4th of July, our LA TV station and most important, lower rates for trash hauling for our residents.

I have behonored to be a part of the decisions that led to these positive actions for our community.

Since I was first elected in 1994 we have seen many changes in our community that I hope are viewed aspositive.

To name a few:

  • We had no medians with trees down Katella and Los Alamitos Blvd.
  • We were not involved with the Olympic Pool at the JFTB which now allows us to teach thousands ofchildren and adults to swim.
  • We did not own Laurel Park.
  • We did not have a bathroom facility at Cottonwood Park.
  • Roberts Park had not been developed.
  • McAuliffe field had not been developed.
  • Lexington was not a through street to Cerritos.
  • Our alleys and sidewalks were in disrepair with no plan for improvement
  • We were not a recognized Tree City and did not have a tree planting program.
  • We did not have a residential street paving program.
  • Our General Plan had not been updated in many many years.
  • Los Alamitos Hospital was very small.

I am also the only Council Member who has had a monthly meeting, "Coffee with Marilynn" to listen tothe concerns of the residents and business owners on a regular basis.

These are just a few that have come to mind quickly, I know there are many other positive changes and I did not do these things alone, it was with cooperation and mutual concern for our community with the CouncilMembers that I have served with over the years.

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