CALIFORNIA SITE FIGHT: COUNCIL MEMBERS DEBATE WAL-MART

Tran part of new majority [San Gabriel Valley (Calif.) Tribune]

There has been political turmoil in Rosemead for a number of years because council members voted 5-0 in 2004 to permit a Wal-Mart Supercenter to be built in southern Rosemead despite widespread residents’ opposition. But change has finally come to Rosemead.

A new City Council three-member alignment (Polly Low, John Tran and John Nu ez) bodes well for the future peace and prosperity of Rosemead residents.

Two pro-Wal-Mart council members, Bill Alarcon and Joe Vasquez, were defeated in 2005 by anti-Wal-Mart candidates Tran and Nu ez. But that left three pro-Wal-Mart council members in power (Margaret Clark, Gary Taylor and Jay Imperial). Citizens were rebuffed in their attempt to exercise their right of referendum to overturn the development agreement with Wal-Mart. But the fight continued.

All was not sweetness and light after Nu ez and Tran were elected. They had no power and no voice. The vote was usually 3-2 on city matters with Clark, Imperial and Taylor in the majority until the three-member majority of Clark, Imperial and Taylor, was overturned in 2007 with the defeat of Imperial and the election of Low.

At the reorganization of the council on March 27, Tran was appointed mayor on a vote of 4-1. So Rosemead has a new leader with a fresh voice, an optimistic attitude and a positive vision for the future. Tran is the kind of leader Rosemead needs, one who keeps his cool.

Despite criticism of Tran that has appeared in a local newspaper, constituents have found that Tran is exceptionally well-mannered, respectful of all people and professional in his approach to his council duties. He should be supported in his effort to serve the people of Rosemead and to help them attain a bright future.

Posted by Beth Gostanian on Tuesday, June 12, 2007

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