By Katrina Van Duzee
Garden Grove Journal
With the election around the corner Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) stopped by the Garden Grove City Council to give an update on his activity in Sacramento on Tuesday.
Increased public safety, less regulative legislation and tax cuts for small businesses were political issues Tran mentioned were key for Californian’s to continue to focus on. Tran cited the $19 billion deficit and partisan environment in Sacramento as obstacles preventing him fromdoing more in these areas.
“There has been a lot of cuts in the budget this year and it has been very painful,” Tran said. “It is hard to get things done.”
Although Tran spoke about helping small businesses and the difficulty making decisions in Sacramento’s partisan environment, community members at the meeting were more focused on the attack ads recently released targeting his opponent in the 47th Congressional District race, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove).
“I don’t understand how politicians have no problem generating campaign ad money, but they can’t put together a budget,” resident Tony Flores said. “This is just distasteful and I am a Republican.”
The ad several residents referenced is a fake perfume ad with text saying, “Something smells rotten about Loretta, It’s the scent of Washington.” Tran did not comment on the ad and was not present during oral communication when it was brought up.
Not only was the upcoming election a touchy subject for locals, but the final vote for adopting the Garden Grove Tourism Improvement District also sparked concern from a few long-time residents.
The district is supposed to help promote the hotels in Garden Grove by joining forces with Anaheim in a joint marketing effort and is expected to
fund improvements to the area as well as increase business. Residents like Tony Flores protested the formation of this district saying it is not
necessary seeing as the all the hotels already have existing ad budgets ranging from $3,600 to $50,000.
“If these hotels are supposed to make the city money, where does it go?” Garden Grove resident, Greg Beard said. “We’re doing good on this side of town, let’s look at fixing up West Garden Grove.”
The council voted 5-0 to approve the district.
