Accomplishments 2010-2014

By Elizabeth "Beth" Swift

Beth advanced fiscal responsibility, supported local schools and community events, provided reasonable alternatives to complex problems.

1. Proposed a list of Core Values to be exemplified by City staff and Commissions, as well as City Council Members in January 2011; the proposal was discussed among employee groups and 6 values were chosen--teamwork, commitment, communication, respect, integrity, and excellence; also promoted the use of these values in city publications including the city council agendas.

2. Encouraged staff to apply for awards to highlight the accomplishments of the city--Tree City designation was applied for and received in 2012; first attempt at All America City award in 2012 was not successful but will be applied for again in 2015 or 2016; Buena Park Police Department is in the process of accomplishing accreditation.

3. Set a new professional presentation standard for the State of the City event in January 2013.

4. Involved with educational issues as the "education" council member (moniker given by another Council Member)

• Proposed the establishment of a city Education Commission--the current "Education Committee" meets quarterly and has a membership that includes city officials, local superintendents and principals, President of Cypress College, education foundation leaders, chamber of commerce representatives, BP Library director, private school administrator, BPPD captain. This has resulted in better communication and cooperation among the city and seven school districts.

• Promoted the use of recycling revenues to pay for all 6th graders in Buena Park to attend field trips to the Discovery Science Museum in Santa Ana. This includes pre-trip instruction about benefits to our environment of recycling.

• Encouraged the attendance of all 3rd grade students at Gift of History Day at Angel Stadium each fall.

• Organized "Buena Park Goes to College," a city-wide college fair and informational seminar, held on November 2, 2013 with 250 people in attendance. 2nd Annual event will be held September 14, 2014.

• Encouraged reading to children and book giveaways at city events--a nonprofit group now donates hundreds of books each year to the city to be read to children at city events and then given to the children to take home as their own. This happens at Summer Concerts in the Park and other events.

• Joined two education foundations as the Buena Park city representative--Anaheim Union High School District Education Foundation Board of Directors and Buena Park School District Education Foundation Board of Directors.

• Supported local school events and PTA fundraisers.

6. Enhanced the reputation of Buena Park Mayor's Prayer Breakfast event by applying for its 501(c)(3) status and by securing a nationally known speaker for 2013 event.

7. Marketed the City during Beth's year as Mayor (1) through filmed interviews for Time Warner Cable and for local Channel 3 "The Mayor's Show;" (2) through participation in "Walkabouts" with Chamber of Commerce staff and the City Manager; (3) and through presentations to visitors at conferences held in Buena Park hotels.

8. Pushed other Council Members and city staff to consider historic values of buildings and their preservation.

9. Introduced idea of making bikeways and walking pathways on the Edison right-of-way; progress has been slow, but we currently have a landscape architectural business drawing plans.

10. Represented City of Buena Park on other local governmental or volunteer entities:

• Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)--member of the Board of Directors, Budget & Finance Committee (currently chairperson), Claims Settlement Committee, Capital Improvement Program Committee, and Executive Committee.

• Association of California Cities-Orange County--Pension Reform Committee member; chairperson of Public Engagement Committee.

• League of Cities (LOC)--Employee Relations Committee member; Orange County division (LOC-OC)--4th District Representative and LOC-OC Representative on Orange County Council of Governments.

• St. Jude Hospital Community Benefit Committee.

• Buena Park Collaborative--member of monthly group that discusses ways to solve negative issues experienced by residents. As a result, Beth has participated in park clean-up efforts with Successful Families of Buena Park and the Latino Health Awareness Day, among other events.