Lawndale Tribune AND lAwNDAle News The Weekly Newspaper of Lawndale Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - November 21, 2013 Students Welcome Peace Advocate Throngs of youth gathered at LAX on Oct. 30 to greet peace advocate Man Lee, founder of International Peace Youth Group, before a large peace rally was held the following day. Photo provided by the International Youth Peace Group. Harold E. Hofmann, the ‘People’s Mayor,’ Dies Unexpectedly By Nancy Peters On Friday night, when Harold E. Hofmann, the Mayor of Lawndale, went to sleep and said goodnight to his wife Doris, it was unknown that he would not wake up the next morning. Hofmann, elected Mayor of Lawndale an unprecedented 12 times, died of natural causes and was pronounced dead at his home in the very early morning hours on Saturday, Nov. 16. He had not been ill or in poor health. Harold E. Hofmann was deemed by citizens the “People’s Mayor,” for apparently taking the side of the citizen having an issue with Public Works, Code Enforcement, etc., listening to the full story before making decisions or recommending an action from the dais. He took phone calls from residents, sometimes going to one’s home to discuss an issue face-to-face and listening to citizen remarks at City Council meetings, inspecting a situation on someone’s property and measuring and verifying claims of things stated in the municipal code. He used to tell stories of times when horses were the main mode of transportation, including his own means of getting to school, when the roads were all dirt and Lawndale was not incorporated as a city. The City officially incorporated in 1959, the last of the South Bay cities to do so, although it retained County services for the police, fire and library. Hofmann never lived anywhere else. He was born and raised in Lawndale, living and dying in the same house for all of his 81 years, with the exception of his years serving his country. Mayor Hofmann was noted as a gentleman’s gentleman. He was seen at nearly every event planned in Lawndale, most times dressed in a suit, white shirt and Windsor-knotted tie. Hofmann worked his entire life, running Hofmann & Son, a sewer-contracting business he started at age 23 after returning home from his stint in the U.S. Army. As the Mayor and, therefore, the chair of Council meetings, it is said that Hofmann ran the meetings with precision, starting on time and ending without extraneous clutter or keeping citizens waiting during lengthy closed sessions. He gave his fellow dais occupants a chance to raise questions and express their opinions. His knowledge of Lawndale and its past aided the Council in situations when he could recall an issue from years ago. Lawndale elected Harold Hofmann to the City Council in 1980. Popular with the residents, his desire to be a public servant and not a politician appealed to the populace. He stayed on the dais without interruption until 1990 when he first ran for Mayor—and, then, in each of the following 12 election cycles was either reelected or ran unopposed, serving for 24 years as Mayor and a total of 33 years in public office. During his tenure, the City of Lawndale continuously ran in the black, made building improvements or built new buildings, such as the County Library (partnering with L.A. County) and the Lawndale Community Center made possible by grants and sound management of the City’s redevelopment funds. Hofmann’s business experience, which made him a personal success, was an asset to the city he loved. Harold Hofmann did not run for office with donations from any groups or individuals in the city. He made a point of being available for his constituents, but also made time for those at City Hall, stopping by nearly every business day to sign paperwork, meet with the City Manager or just say hello to City employees he had known since their first day on the job. He was available for his Council members for any questions or clarifications as well. Robert Pullen-Miles, the junior member of the City Council, said, “Mayor Hofmann was not only a colleague of mine, but he was a friend. He was always a person that I could count on for professional advice.” Pullen-Miles continued, “As one of the longest serving elected officials in California, Mayor Hofmann was very instrumental in helping to shape the City of Lawndale into the heart of the South Bay. Not only was Harold a highly respected member of the Lawndale City Council--he was also a passionate advocate for the residents of Lawndale. We will truly miss him.” Hofmann had been a mentor to politicos in neighboring cities, namely former Mayor of Hawthorne Larry Guidi. “What a great man. Lawndale lost a great leader,” said Guidi. The family has requested donations be made to the Little Company of Mary Foundation, 4101 Torrance Blvd., Torrance 90503, or to the Dexter Foundation, a dog rescue organization, dexterfoundation.org. Harold and Doris Hofmann considered their pets members of their family and over the years had rescued many Boston terriers. Condolences can be sent to Mrs. Hofmann at City Hall, 14717 Burin Ave., Lawndale 90260. Harold and Doris Hofmann had been married for 60 years. Besides being survived by his wife, Hofmann leaves three children and eight grandchildren. A memorial service for the public will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. at the Lawndale Community Center. The Lawndale City Council will deal with the absence of its Mayor and leader at its next meeting, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Ironically, at a recent meeting, the Council voted on ways to fill a vacancy in its ranks. The members didn’t know how soon they would need to invoke that decision. Rest in Peace, Mayor Hofmann. • Inside This Issue Calendar...............................3 Classifieds............................4 Community Briefs...............3 Food.......................................4 Hawthorne Happenings....3 Legals.............................2,5-8 Police Report.......................2 Weekend Forecast Friday AM Showers 66˚/53˚ Saturday Few Showers 68˚/51˚ Sunday Partly Cloudy 65˚/51˚ “Not only was Harold a highly respected member of the Lawndale City Council– he was also a passionate advocate for the residents of Lawndale. We will truly miss him.”
Lawndale 11_21_13
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