Ahead of the November elections, The Orange County Register compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below, with responses only edited for grammar and punctuation.
MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide
Name: Jimmy D. Pham
Current Job Title: Attorney / Business Owner
Age: 45
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: City of Westminster Commissioner – Community Services and Recreation
City where you reside: Westminster
Campaign website or social media: www.phamforwestminster.com
Sales tax measure aside, what is one tangible way Westminster can get its finances in order so that it doesn’t tip-toe close to bankruptcy?
Minimize lengthy, overdrawn City Council meetings so that city employees aren’t required to work overtime and long hours. Ensure all businesses are paying the proper sales tax and properly following city tax requirements. Improve businesses and attract new businesses to the Westminster and tourist attractions spots like the Little Saigon Business District and Westminster Mall. Place the focus back on the residents and cut off the petty politics that have dominated the city stage.
How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower prices, while also preserving the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents?
Increased homelessness and a lack of housing have been a problem in the city of Westminster. Only 20% of the homeless shelters are being occupied because homeless individuals are not utilizing the resources and some enjoy the freedom of living on the streets. I am a proponent of bringing back the Homelessness Task Force to help the city control the homeless population. I believe that there is actually more space in the city of Westminster to build more housing and luxury homes to attract higher-income families.
What can the city do better to fund and address aging roads and water and sewer systems and prepare for future infrastructure needs?
Commit to finding ways to redevelop older portions of the city of Westminster by convening special meetings with stakeholders until we find a solution to address aging roads and sewer systems. Revitalize the Westminster Mall through mixed-used projects and secure funding to develop a new community center in the Little Saigon area.
How should the city balance paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, trimming the budget, or something else entirely?
The city needs to explore ways to cut wasteful spending while attracting new and large businesses to the area. Decrease litigation and settle lawsuits or make a determination as to which lawsuits are worthy of litigation and spending on attorney’s fees. Increase the tourist attraction of Little Saigon along Bolsa Avenue.
Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city?
As a second-generation Vietnamese American, I am a U.S. Citizen by birth but also can comprehend, sympathize, and understand the needs and honor of the large Vietnamese American people in the city. As an immigration attorney, I have helped hundreds of immigrants with a Hispanic or Asian heritage.
With my background in law, I am familiar working with resolutions and have a deep understanding of the legal implications of City Council decisions. Making sure the city is making smart, ethical, and legal decisions for the betterment of the people of Westminster is tantamount to a City Council member. I believe I possess those qualities to serve all the races and ethnicities of residents in the city of Westminster.
