By Loreen Berlin
The new Northwest Orange County Republican Headquarters in Stanton was the scene recently of a "meet and greet" gathering for Young Kim, who is running for 65th State Assembly District and Michelle Steel, who is vying for the Orange County Supervisor 2nd District position in the June 2014 Primary Election.
By Loreen Berlin
The new Northwest Orange County Republican Headquarters in Stanton was the scene recently of a "meet and greet" gathering for Young Kim, who is running for 65th State Assembly District and Michelle Steel, who is vying for the Orange County Supervisor 2nd District position in the June 2014 Primary Election.
"The event was an opportunity for myself and Michelle Park Steel to meet and talk to the residents in Stanton," said Kim. "We also had people come from neighboring communities and throughout the 65th district, with one lady who traveled from Arcadia. She attended after reading a write-up about the event in the media, to encourage me, an ethnic woman who is running for an elected office. That was very encouraging to me."
Saturday's event was hosted by Stanton City Council members.
"Michelle and I are honored to have received the council's early unanimous endorsement," Kim said.
All of the council members reminded those in attendance that Stanton has been well represented by Young Kim, who worked tirelessly to serve the residents in the city while working alongside U.S. Rep. Ed Royce for more than 20 years.
"Young Kim knows our community, and she is exactly who we need representing us in Sacramento,” said Councilman David Shawver.
Steel, who is currently the vice chair of the California State Board of Equalization, and who has represented Stanton for more than seven years said she has worked to protect and advocate for taxpayers and small business owners.
"I discovered that the Board of Equalization had delayed returning millions of dollars in security deposits owed to California businesses and worked to change the procedures so the board returned more than $200 million in security deposits," said Steel. "And earlier this year, I was able to eliminate the program entirely.
Together with the council, Young Kim and Michelle Steel had the opportunity to introduce themselves to Stanton residents and Kim said for her, it was an opportunity to listen to the issues the residents care most about, such as jobs and education.
"On education, I shared my thoughts on ensuring transparency and accountability for the bureaucrats who administer the education funds because I believe the failure to provide quality education is when we are not efficiently monitoring the dollars that go into classroom instruction and also supplies where it will directly benefit the students," Kim said.
"On jobs, I took note of the number-one issue impacting the business community which is 'too much regulation,' and how the small business owners in California said in a recent survey that only 9-percent rated the California business climate as good, while 62-percent rated it as poor," she said.
"As a small business woman myself, I completely understand how difficult it is to grow one’s business and so I will be working to make our State’s business climate more friendly."
Both Kim and Steel said that Saturday's event was a great opportunity to exchange views with the residents, and get to know the pulse of the community.
"I look forward to many more of such opportunities."
