Dan Chin
Age: 50
Lenth of service: 8 years(first elected 2000)
Length of residency: 50 years
Occupation:Businessman
Contact Info:288-1608(cell), 584-6334(home), Anytime of the day. Dan@Vote4DanChin.com or Website: vote4DanChin.com
Other community service experience:
- 2008 - Selected as the Hanford Chamber of Commerce's Man of the Year.
- 2007 - Completed and dedicated Freedom Park.
- 2006 - Elected Mayor for the City of Hanford.
- 2003 - Elected Mayor for the City of Hanford.
- 2001 - Appointed as the City Council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission (served for 8 years). Also served as a representative to the Kings County Association of Governments (KCAG), the Kings Community Action Organization, Waste Management Authority and Kings Area Rapid Transit (KART).
- 2000 - Elected to the Hanford City Council, District C.
- 1998 - Elected to the Hanford Elementary School Board of Trustees (served 2 years).
- 1997 - Served as President of the Hanford Improvement Association.
- 1994 - Became actively involved in the Hanford Improvement Association.
- 1990 - After many years of involvement elected Chairman for the Hanford Christmas Parade Committee (served as Chairman for many years).
- 1990 - After many years of involvement elected Chairman for the Kings County Homecoming Committee (served as Chairman for many years).
- 1990 - Because of my community service I was invited by the Rose Bowl Committee to represent the California Jaycees at the Rose Bowl parade and football game.
- 1989 - Received the Jefferson Award for Community Service (presented by KSEE television channel 24).
- 1989 - Part of a delegation of Jaycee state presidents invited to travel to Washington D.C. and meet with the President of the United States.
- 1989 - Through a California Junior Chamber of Commerce project raised over $1 million dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
- 1989 - Elected 62nd President of the California Junior Chamber of Commerce. During my tenure I traveled over 100,000 miles, visited 200 California communities and started over 20 new local chapters.
- 1988 - Appointed to the Planning Commission for the City of Hanford (served for over 10 years).
- 1988 - Served as Vice President of Membership for the California Junior Chamber of Commerce.
- 1987 - Served as District Governor of the California Junior Chamber of Commerce. Received national recognition as one of the top 20 district governors (out of 800) in the nation.
- 1986 - Founded and co-chaired the first annual Fox Theater can food movie (collecting over 7,000 cans of food for charity the 1st year)
- 1986 - Served as President of the Hanford Jaycees.
- 1985 – Gave testimony to the Historic Resource Commission regarding design of the Civic Auditorium handicap access ramp.
- 1985 - Graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
- 1984 - Joined the Hanford Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees, a community service and leadership training organization).
- 1983 - Served as the test case for the use of personal computers as an aid in educational advancement of the disabled. Became the first person in the western United States to receive a personal computer grant from the California Department of Social Services and use it to successfully complete my college education
- 1982 - Served as advisor to College of Sequoias regarding classroom accessibility in education.
- 1981 - Asked by City Council to advise the City of Hanford on accessibility issues. Worked with the Public Works Department on placement of the first 21 curb cuts in the downtown area.
- 1980 - Initiated an annual handicap awareness day in which elected officials were given an opportunity to experience access challenges by participating in a scavenger hunt while restricted to wheelchairs.
- 1980 - Founding member and Past President of the California Association of the Physically Handicapped, Kings County Chapter.
Q and A with Dan Chin
1. Why did you decide to run?
Public service in this country was based on the idea that you earned a living, raised a family and, once you achieved a position of some financial stability, gave back to the community which made it all possible. Serving on the Hanford City Council is the ultimate community service job.
At no other level of government can an individual more profoundly improve the lives of others. As the last 30 years of public service indicate I take this obligation most seriously – I want to give something back.
To quote a famous American president: “If not you, who? If not now, when?”
2. What are your top 3 issues?
The City of Hanford has many challenges to overcome and even more opportunities to grasp. I believe the following are both important and particularly timely.
State Budget
The State of California is in financial crisis (again). State legislators have failed to live within their financial means and are seeking access to local revenue as a way of offsetting their budget deficit. Under current proposals nearly $1M of badly needed local revenue is slated for diversion to Sacramento (potentially taken from local property taxes, among others). We need to once again take a strong position, protecting local revenue for local needs.
For the past 8 years I've helped the rest of the City Council and our City Manager wrestle our money back from Sacramento. Together we've been successful, but it's not a war we can stop waging. We must remain diligent.
The Economy
The city of Hanford receives a significant portion of its revenue from local sales tax. Although we are allotted only a small portion of the 7.25% Kings County sales tax rate (we keep only 0.95%, less than a penny, while the remaining 6.30% is taken by the state), it still represents nearly $8M we can use for local needs. Because of the state of the economy estimated sales (and therefore sales tax revenue) are down nearly $800,000 in fiscal year 2008.
Although Hanford is fiscally sound, and in the black, if this trend continues we must be prepared to tighten our belt even further. Strong fiscal management requires proven leadership, especially in difficult economic times. We need knowledgeable and experienced people working this problem, especially as shortages are expected to continue.
Controlled Growth
Growth is a continuing issue, not just for the City of Hanford but for California as well. As of January 1st, 2008, Hanford had a population of 51,965 residents. The general plan, although slated for update this fiscal year, suggests our population could swell to nearly 75,000 within the next 5 to 8 years. Our current unemployment rate, hovering around 10%, indicates we lack adequate types and numbers of jobs to meet current population needs. It is critical that we plan now for orderly, controlled growth, so we can support the number of people anticipated.
The general plan is the “blue print” for future development and growth. Having knowledgeable people, who understand that general plan, working on the next revision is perhaps more important today than in any time in our city’s history. I am the only city council member who has participated in the preparation of the past three general plans; two as planning commission member and the most recent one as city councilperson.
Downtown Redevelopment
Four years ago the City of Hanford established a redevelopment district in downtown Hanford. We did so because redevelopment law has proven its worth in revitalizing older portions of communities all over California. It has taken much effort, however everything is now in place such that over the next 12 months we can begin making the improvements so desperately needed. Now is the time to implement our community vision and restore the glory of our central business district.
3. What is your position on moving the dispatch from the sheriffs to a centralized location with its own department supervisor?
Moving the dispatch function out of the sheriff’s office and into its own county department is not a city of Hanford issue. Many months ago the County approached the cities of Hanford, Lemoore and Corcoran regarding a possible consolidation of dispatch services. Because Hanford already operated its own state-of-the-art facility, one which performs well above state and national standards, we respectfully declined consolidation. For similar reasons Corcoran passed on the offer as well.
The question now before the County Board of Supervisors is whether their dispatch center for all county departments (not just police and fire) should continue to be operated and managed by the Sheriff’s Office or whether creation of a new countywide department would improve overall dispatch services.
Although I have an opinion, it is not my decision to make. I leave it to the citizens who depend on the Sheriff’s dispatch center for their safety, the heads of other county departments needing dispatch services and the Board of Supervisors to arrive at the best solution.
4. What is your political party affiliation? If you decline to state, tell us why.
The race for city council is a non-partisan one and my political party affiliation is not material; even so I am a registered Republican.
5. Do you have an ideological orientation that will influence you as a member of the Hanford City Council?
Absolutely!
I believe the role of government is to deliver to its citizens those essential services which they need and can’t provide for themselves. Each time an issue is brought before the City Council I weigh my response in terms of whether it meets that role and is an appropriate government activity.
6. What is your position on the re-entry project currently proposed by the county for east Hanford?
Since individuals who are incarcerated from our local area are already being returned here, I would give consideration to any program which demonstrates success in aiding in their rehabilitation.
When asked by the County to support a facility in Kings County I willingly did so. The project would have created much needed jobs while potentially reducing the likelihood parolees would return to a life of crime.
The Hanford City Council was not consulted when the County began selecting potential sites for a facility. If they had done so I would have suggested alternative locations which provided a larger buffer between schools, churches, housing areas and the facility.
Bottom-line, I believe the facility would have been good for Kings County and I supported the concept, if not the proposed location.
7. Do you have a vision for the city and downtown Hanford?
I do, and it has been captured in the “Strategic Plan 2005, 2010, 2020” for the City of Hanford.
The top goals for 2010 include:
- Becoming a regional center for commerce
- Strengthening our local economy
- Becoming the safest city in the valley
- Delivering top quality city services
- Supporting quality development and redevelopment activities
Of these goals I’d like to specifically discuss number five:
Controlled Growth and Quality Development
Growth is a continuing issue, not just for the City of Hanford but for California as well. As of January 1st, 2008, Hanford had a population of 51,965 residents. The general plan, although slated for update this fiscal year, suggests our population could swell to nearly 75,000 within the next 5 to 8 years. Our current unemployment rate, hovering around 10%, indicates we lack adequate types and numbers of jobs to meet current population needs. It is critical that we plan now for orderly, controlled growth, so we can support the number of people anticipated.
The general plan is the “blue print” for future development and growth. Having knowledgeable people, who understand that general plan, working on the next revision is perhaps more important today than in any time in our city’s history. I am the only city council member who has participated in the preparation of the past three general plans; two as planning commission member and the most recent one as city councilperson.
Downtown Redevelopment
Four years ago the City of Hanford established a redevelopment district in downtown Hanford. We did so because redevelopment law has proven its worth in revitalizing older portions of communities all over California. It has taken much effort, however everything is now in place such that over the next 12 months we can begin making the improvements so desperately needed. Now is the time to implement our community vision and restore the glory of our central business district.
8. How do you plan on implementing that vision as a city council member?
The City of Hanford can set goals, and we can provide encouragements to business through zoning, grants, loans and tax incentives, but we can’t make the needed changes happen by ourselves. To truly be successful we will need to continue establishing strategic partnerships with private business because it is through their activities and investments that the economic goals will actually be achieved.
I will continue to leverage my years of experience and numerous local, state and national contacts to ensure investment opportunities in Hanford’s future are brought to the right potential partners at the right time.
9. Do you have business interests or business or personal relationships, which will create conflicts of interest for you as a council member?
I serve as manager for Buddy’s Trophies, a local business owned by my mother Silvia Chin. Even though I have no financial interest in the business we made a conscious decision eight years ago (when I was first elected to the Hanford City Council) not to do business with the city as long as I serve.
10. How do you deal with the homelessness in Hanford?
As with most important issues there are two (often opposing) points of view.
Point
Homeless individuals are first and foremost human beings. Even though they may be down on their luck they have the potential to again become productive members of our local society. They deserve that chance and it is society’s responsibility to help those who are willing to help themselves.
Counterpoint
If not addressed the increasing homeless population could indirectly cause economic damage to our downtown business community. Additionally, undesirable behavior could put the health and safety of those frequenting downtown at risk. Because of these realities additional controls regarding the use of public facilities may need to be considered.
I don’t believe these two positions are in conflict.
By working with both public and private organizations the City of Hanford can serve a coordination role which will:
- deliver support services where they are desperately needed
- foster a supportive economic climate for downtown businesses
- maintain the health and safety of those wishing to enjoy city parks and facilitie
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Previous Articles with Dan ChinSeptember 17th, 2009 September 2nd, 2009 May 21st, 2009 April 22nd, 2009 April 21st, 2009 April 16th, 2009 March 19th, 2009 February 19th, 2009 January 20th, 2009 January 9th, 2009 January 1st, 2009 December 19th, 2008 December 5th, 2008 December 1st, 2008 November 30th, 2008 November 5th, 2008 October 28th, 2008 October 25th, 2008 October 24th, 2008 October 21st, 2008 October 18th, 2008 October 16th, 2008 October 14th, 2008 October 13th, 2008 October 10th, 2008 September 28th, 2008 September 21st, 2008 September 14th, 2008 August 30th, 2008 August 23rd, 2008 August 20th, 2008 August 13th, 2008 August 8th, 2008 August 7th, 2008 August 1st, 2008 July 17th, 2008 July 14th, 2008 July 12th, 2008 July 11th, 2008
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