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Volume 3, Number 44 n orangecountytribune.com n Wednesday, June 14, 2023 n orangecountytribune@gmail.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE SAIGON
Development Director Is Named for GG Comes to the Big Strawberry from Anaheim
The 35th anniversary of the founding of the “Little Saigon” business community on Bolsa Avenue in Westminster was observed at the Asian Garden Mall on Saturday. Also unveiled was the planned placement of signs identifying “Little Saigon” as an area of cultural interest along the Garden Grove Freeway. (Photo by Raymond Addington).
Navigation Center is gaining ground for these three cities By Jim Tortolano Orange County Tribune
No actual ground was broken at Tuesday’s groundbreaking event for the Navigation Center in Garden Grove but it was nevertheless a landmark in efforts to cope with the homelessness problem. The Central Cities Navigation Center, which will serve not only Garden Grove but also Fountain Valley and Westminster, is located on West Street in an industrial area in the southeast of the city. Officials from all three cities and from the County of Orange were present at
Tuesday’s event. “Today marks a new beginning nearly four years in the making,” said Garden Grove City Manager Lisa Kim, “which would not have been possible without the incredible partnerships of the tri-cities that were formed.” The 85-bed center will provide more than just shelter. It’s a “wraparound facility” that will offer assistance in employment, mental health and dealing with substance abuse. There will be “dormitories” for males and females, some rooms for couples and even a pet facility.
Garden Grove City Manager Lisa Kim has named Niki Wetzel, a 26-year community development professional, as Garden NIKI WETZEL Grove’s new community see a very active departdevelopment director. Currently serving as the ment that provides several deputy director of plan- key services to our city ning and building for the and community. She will City of Anaheim, Wetzel be a welcome addition to begins her position with our talented city managethe City of Garden Grove ment team,” said Kim. “I am honored and on Monday, July 10. “Niki is a top-notch pro- thrilled to have been sefessional with the proven lected as the next commuknowledge, experience, nity development director and drive needed to overContinued on page 2 n GARDEN GROVE CITY COUNCIL
Korean Festival approved for GG Park on Oct. 12-15
LISA KIM Garden Grove City Mgr.
Providing shelter for the homeless allows cities to enforce anti-camping ordinances.
The Arirang Korean Festival will have a new home this October. On Tuesday night – with Mayor Steve Jones absent – the Garden Grove City Council voted 6-0 to grant a request from the Korean Festival Committee of Orange County to stage the festival at Garden Grove Park on Oct.
12-15. All the costs of the event will be borne by the committee, including security. The festival, which originated in Garden Grove, has had several locations and will have its first time at the city’s largest park this fall. Also approved by the Continued on page 2
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