Fullerton Ca Government Officials

Patrick McKinley, Fullerton's new top cop, has fought crime in some of the toughest neighborhoods of Los Angeles and some of the most posh. McKinley, a Los Angeles Police Department captain, will take charge of the Fullerton Police Department on Feb. 8. "You can't get much more diverse than East L.A. and Bel Air," said City Manager James L. Armstrong, citing two areas where McKinley commanded for the LAPD. "He's known as a strong leader." Armstrong hired McKinley, 51, to replace Chief Philip A.

Fullerton council members selected a temporary city manager Wednesday, one week after the current top administrator announced he is taking a similar job in Santa Barbara. Chris Meyer, 50, currently the city's administrative services director, will serve for six months, then be considered for a full-time appointment. "It is like a test period," said city spokeswoman Sylvia Palmer Mudrick.

Mayor A.B. (Buck) Catlin, 71, was listed in fair condition Friday after a Thursday afternoon bodysurfing accident in Laguna Beach. Catlin was pulled to the shore by beach-goers and lifeguards at about 3 p.m., Laguna Beach Fire Department officials said. He was admitted to the intensive-care unit at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, where he underwent tests Friday to determine the seriousness of his injuries.

James Armstrong, 48, city manager for nine years, is expected to leave in October to become city administrator in Santa Barbara, Fullerton officials said. Though the Santa Barbara City Council still must officially approve Armstrong's hiring, Fullerton officials said he was a unanimous choice in a closed-door session. "He's going to be greatly missed, but this was just too good an opportunity for him to pass up," Fullerton spokeswoman Sylvia Palmer Mudrick said.

Beleaguered Fullerton Councilwoman Julie Sa spoke out Tuesday for the first time about her last-minute decision not to seek reelection. "I want to clear the situation and tell people what the heck is going on," Sa said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. "I've served eight years, and maybe it's a good time for me to spend more time with my parents and family. It's not because of anybody attacking me. That's just dirty politics."

Fullerton council members selected a temporary city manager Wednesday, one week after the current top administrator announced he is taking a similar job in Santa Barbara. Chris Meyer, 50, currently the city's administrative services director, will serve for six months, then be considered for a full-time appointment. "It is like a test period," said city spokeswoman Sylvia Palmer Mudrick.

Fullerton Councilwoman Julie Sa defended herself Thursday against allegations that she is living outside the city, saying she splits her time between her $1.4-million Chino Hills estate, her parents' house in Anaheim Hills and her one-bedroom apartment in Fullerton. "I have nothing to hide," Sa said. "I'm obligated to voters to let them know the truth, and this is the truth. Do I stay in Fullerton seven nights a week? No."

Which is home: a one-bedroom kitchenette apartment in Fullerton or a sprawling hacienda listed for $1.5 million in Chino Hills? Fullerton City Councilwoman Julie Sa has been fighting accusations that the motor-inn apartment she calls home is only a front for election purposes--that she really lives in the 8,200-square-foot mansion with private helipad in the San Bernardino County community.

Greg Meek, 39, the city's park development coordinator, has received a 1996 California ReLeaf Tree Hero Award for his work in beautifying the city. The Tree Society of Orange County presented Meek with the award for his efforts to involve volunteer groups in city beautification projects, said David F. Nelson of the Tree Society. Meek, hired by the city in 1989, has also has served on the Fullerton Arboretum Advisory Committee and as a staff liaison to the Tri-City Park Authority.

There's a new rule for City Council meetings: "All public comments addressed to the City Council shall observe civility, decorum and good behavior." Council members unanimously voted for the addition, despite opposition from some residents who complained the restriction is one-sided. "Civility begets civility," said Allan Morton, a council critic who recently was admonished for hitting Councilwoman Julie Sa in the face with a campaign sign during a heated debate about political placards.

The city's new treasurer and investment manager is scheduled to report to work Wednesday, capping local efforts to reorganize the Administrative Services Department, which oversees city financial matters. Phyllis Garrova, 46, was hired Oct. 3 to replace Marlies Illig-Diamond, who retired in May. Before accepting the job in Fullerton, Garrova worked as assistant city clerk/treasurer for Whittier.

Beleaguered Fullerton Councilwoman Julie Sa spoke out Tuesday for the first time about her last-minute decision not to seek reelection. "I want to clear the situation and tell people what the heck is going on," Sa said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. "I've served eight years, and maybe it's a good time for me to spend more time with my parents and family. It's not because of anybody attacking me. That's just dirty politics."

A Fullerton councilwoman facing accusations that she lives in a sprawling $1.5-million Chino Hills home rather than in a rented motor-inn apartment failed to file reelection papers Friday, effectively bowing out of city politics.

Which is home: a one-bedroom kitchenette apartment in Fullerton or a sprawling hacienda listed for $1.5 million in Chino Hills? Fullerton City Councilwoman Julie Sa has been fighting accusations that the motor-inn apartment she calls home is only a front for election purposes--that she really lives in the 8,200-square-foot mansion with private helipad in the San Bernardino County community.

Which is home: A one-bedroom kitchenette apartment in Fullerton or a sprawling hacienda listed for $1.5 million in Chino Hills? Fullerton City Councilwoman Julie Sa has been fighting accusations that the motor inn apartment she calls home is only a front for election purposes--that she really lives in the 8,200-square-foot mansion with private helipad in San Bernardino County.

Fullerton Councilwoman Julie Sa defended herself Thursday against allegations that she is living outside the city, saying she splits her time between her $1.4-million Chino Hills estate, her parents' house in Anaheim Hills and her one-bedroom apartment in Fullerton. "I have nothing to hide," Sa said. "I'm obligated to voters to let them know the truth, and this is the truth. Do I stay in Fullerton seven nights a week? No."

The city clerk position may become appointive rather than elective--but first residents have to vote on the issue. City Council members said Tuesday that they will consider later this month whether to put the question on the November ballot. City Clerk Audrey K. Culver was appointed to complete the term of Anne M. York, who retired in 1994. Culver has said she will run for the office in November, when the term expires.

Walter K. Bowman, a councilman who voters overwhelmingly retained in office in the Nov. 7 recall election, is the city's new mayor. Fellow City Council members on Monday unanimously elected Bowman to the one-year position. He succeeds Cecilia L. Age, whose term as mayor coincided with the political upheaval caused by a controversial warehouse and a citizens' effort to recall Age, Bowman and Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry because of their vote for the building.

Orange County prosecutors asked the state attorney general's office Wednesday to investigate claims that a longtime Fullerton City Council member has violated election rules by living outside the city. The request followed a complaint filed last week with Fullerton city officials alleging that Councilwoman Julie Sa lives in an upscale Chino Hills home but rents an apartment in Fullerton so she can keep her council seat, authorities said.

Orange County prosecutors asked the state attorney general's office Wednesday to investigate allegations that a longtime Fullerton council member has violated election rules by living outside the city. The request followed a complaint filed last week with Fullerton officials alleging that Councilwoman Julie Sa lives in a Chino Hills home but rents an apartment in Fullerton so she can keep her council seat, authorities said.