Officials within the city of La Palma and throughout Orange County paid tribute to outgoing Mayor Peter Kim and three-time Mayor Gerard Goedhart this week as they looked to the future with a new council and new leadership.
Both Kim and Goedhart were termed out, as new members, Debbie Baker and Mark Waldman, along with incumbent Marshall Goodman, were sworn in to fill the open positions.
Before moving on to tributes, the new council quickly nominated and elected Mayor Pro-tem Nitesh Patel as Mayor and council member Michelle Steggell to serve as Mayor Pro-tem.
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant economic and public health challenge. During the coming year, I intend to work closely with our state and federal legislators as well as our local businesses to ensure La Palma remains strong,” said Patel.
Steggell, meanwhile, said “it is an honor to serve this community, and I look forward to working with Mayor Patel to continue to make La Palma one of the best places to live.”
Kim and Goedhart were elected eight years ago, when things were “rough” for La Palma.
Patel singled out Kim for “leadership that is going to be missed.” He said the outgoing mayor “always managed to see both sides and always thought things through. You’ve left a legacy that is going to be hard to fill.”
Steggell thanked Kim for his encouragement to get involved with the city and for his leadership since.
David Shawver, mayor of Stanton, who serves as Chairman of the Orange County Sanitation District, and Jim Herberg, its general manager, called in to thank Kim for his “outstanding job” of serving on the OCSD board and several committees. “Thank you for all of the wonderful projects you’ve helped bring to fruition.”
Tyler Cash, District Field Director for OC Supervisor Michelle Steel, also called in to thank Kim, who once served under Steel, for his dedicated service to the city of La Palma.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva also called in to praise both Kim and Goedhart and thank them for their service.
Goodman, now serving his second term, praised both men but especially thanked Goedhart, whom he said served as somewhat of a mentor when he was first elected.
Goedhart, who served 16 years in Signal Hill before being elected to the La Palma Council, had put the council on notice at the last meeting that he would not attend his final meeting.
“Our great Goedhart, the stubborn Dutchman, has earned the right to not be here,” said Goodman. “Though he quickly and bluntly spoke his mind,” said Goodman, “we loved him. He was absolutely genuine and enjoyed a long career in public administration.”
Mark Waldman, who returns to the council after serving previously, said two years with Geodhart was enough to realize that he “had a sense of wisdom” that was administered in “lightning bolts that opened our eyes and ears.”
Kim, in his final address to constituents and fellow council members, got a bit emotional as he said goodbye. “I didn’t think I would, but I am getting a little emotional,” he said.
He thanked everyone for the tributes and gave his own to an “incredible staff that did all the work. It was our accomplishments.”
“Throughout the days and months, I have reflected,” he said. Only 28 when elected, Kim said he has learned much serving the city of La Palma. Kim focused on the turnaround in the city’s leadership within its police department, “now we can all feel so safe.”
Kim said La Palma has an “incredible” city staff, which has demonstrated their ability to do “amazing” things during the pandemic. “It’s been really difficult,” he said, noting the city employees have been “awesome.”
Facing financial troubles in 2016, both Kim and Goedhart supported a one percent sales tax increase that was passed by voters and which allowed city officials to restore a sound financial footing.
Both men, said Patel, had provided leadership that transformed “the bad days into good days” for the City of La Palma.