Politics & Government

Gonzalez: "I Was Not Elected To Make Popular Decisions"

Councilmember Henry Gonzalez's desire to know all the facts for himself has brought him fans, and enemies.

By Alejandro Lopez de Haro (Date of publication 06/11/2012)

Last month, in a packed City Council meeting, Councilmember Henry Gonzalez, 76, took the sole vote against the Azalea Retail Project, which plans on building a shopping center on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Firestone Boulevard.

Gonzalez's vote was unpopular amongst the majority of residents that were present at the meeting. The latter group made noises in opposition to Gonzalez’s views. However, Gonzalez did not appear to care much about the hisses, and simply cited the reasons why he was voting against the agreement.

“All I am asking is for my colleagues to give me a professional courtesy and move this matter to Thursday,” said Gonzalez. “Let me get a chance to read everything.”

This was an extension that was not granted to him by the other participating members of council. The remaining councilmembers felt that enough time had been given to read the lengthy document, which the council referenced to being at around 400 pages. Gonzalez, a retired negotiator and assistant director of United Auto Workers International Union, has always been a careful reader. 

In fact, other members of council believe this tendency to be a strong asset of his.

“He does his homework on things,” said South Gate’s Mayor Bill De Witt, who did not take part in the voting of the finance agreement because of a potential conflict of interest. “He is a skilled negotiator, and never asks a question that he doesn’t already know the answer to.” 

This practice has led Gonzalez to make what some might refer to as unpopular votes.

“I was not elected to make popular decisions,” said Gonzalez in an interview Patch prior to his vote against the aforementioned finance agreement. “I was elected to take the decisions that I felt were in the best interest of the people.”

Taking a stance on the financing of a mall with a difficult crowd was not hard for Gonzalez. He has faced his fair share of tough political battles during his twenty plus years in local government.

“I still have some of the hate mail,” admitted Gonzalez, as he remembered how in 1982 he became the first elected Latino councilmember, at a time when South Gate was predominantly white.

There was even a moment when things got violent for the veteran politician, who while serving as Mayor was shot in the head in 1999. This remains an unsolved crime, and an event that Gonzalez will not point any fingers in.

“I am very careful individual, and I never say anything unless I have documentation,” affirmed Gonzalez.

In the early 2000’s he would face another of his toughest political battles, by being one of the two councilmembers that took on the majority that was associated with the now imprisoned former city treasurer, Albert Robles.
 
“Henry was letting people know that he wasn’t getting information, that others were,” said a longtime resident of South Gate.  Gonzalez’s complaints were among the first signs issued by somebody about the trouble that was brewing. “We would not have the decent people we have now if it were not for Henry.”

Gonzalez will be putting an end to his political career when he finishes his term in March of 2013. For now Gonzalez has no plans on stopping his tendency to research and make decisions that he considers best despite their popularity.

“If you want cheers and applause don’t be a councilman,” said Gonzalez, who believes that those looking for this should try professional sports. “Here they will always boo you.”

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