James A. Box has been named by the City Council as the new city manager for Stanton.
He brings to the position more than 25 years of experience in public service, including 11 years as Stanton's director of Parks and Recreation.
Also, for the past three years he has served as assistant city manager responsible for grant and contract management, emergency management, risk management, IT Services and community/human services.
James A. Box has been named by the City Council as the new city manager for Stanton.
He brings to the position more than 25 years of experience in public service, including 11 years as Stanton's director of Parks and Recreation.
Also, for the past three years he has served as assistant city manager responsible for grant and contract management, emergency management, risk management, IT Services and community/human services.
Asked if he had always wanted to be a city manager, Box said, “That’s something I’ve always thought about and so when the opportunity arose, I began to consider and pursue it.”
Box holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and a Masters in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach.
He and his wife, Debbie, and their son reside in Anaheim Hills but Box is actively involved in the Stanton community as vice president of the Stanton Lions Club. He’s a member of the Stanton Collaborative and the Stanton Community Foundation and during his spare time he said he enjoys watching college football and attending his son’s football and lacrosse high school games.
Question:
Given the city's recent financial condition – what are your plans to keep Stanton solvent?
Answer:In these unprecedented economic times, it’s imperative that everyone involved work together. Stanton has a dedicated City Council that made the most difficult but necessary decisions to achieve a balanced budget with the assistance of city staff, the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff’s Department and both labor unions.
We will continue to be fiscally prudent which will entail keeping expenditures to a minimum while increasing revenues through implementing polices which encourage economic growth.
However, through these difficult economic times the city, OCSD, and OCFA have continued to provide a high level of service to the community and we will continue to do so to ensure a high quality of life for our residents.
Q. What is your plan as city manager for the next three years?
A. I plan to work with the City Council and the community to create and implement a two-to-three year work plan with measurable and attainable goals as set forth by our council.
This will include creating economic growth and providing a high level of service to the community to continue improving the quality of life in Stanton.
Q. What about the city's water rates with Golden State Water Company – or a new source?
A. The water rates are not controlled by the city of Stanton. However, as this is a regional issue the city of Stanton will continue to collaborate with other cities served by Golden State Water and the Public Utilities Commission in an effort to oppose any rate increase and keep rates as low as possible.
Q. What's being done about Beach Boulevard and prostitution? Recently, young prostitutes have been showing up in the local housing tracts.
A. The city of Stanton does take criminal activity seriously and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has done and continues to do a great job and the city will continue to work as partners to make sure the OCSD has the tools necessary to combat prostitution and all other types of criminal activity.
Q. What brought you to Stanton to work?
A. The opportunity to lead a department in a city where I could see the difference I was making within the community.
Q. Where did you work before coming to Stanton?
A. Prior to working for the city of Stanton I worked for the city of Tustin, city of Cerritos, city of Los Alamitos and the city of Norwalk.
Q. What have you enjoyed most about working in Stanton?
A. The supportive City Council, residents of the community and the quality city staff.
Q. What else would you like the public to know from you about Stanton as you
begin your leadership as city manager?
A. I look forward to the opportunity of working in a fantastic community with residents who are engaged, a great City Council and a very talented city staff.
