Supervisor Knabe Celebrates Birthday, Says He Will Seek Re-election in 2012

Supervisor Don Knabe celebrated his birthday Oct. 15 at his14th annual Oktoberfest and Birthday Celebration aboard the Queen Mary. Helping him blow out the candles on his birthday cake are his wife Julie and grandchildren.



By Jerry Bernstein

Supervisor Don Knabe celebrated his birthday Oct. 15 aboard the Queen Mary and announced he would be a candidate for re-election in 2012. “I love my job”, Knabe told estimated 450 supporters and friends in the ship’s main ballroom.
He said the business downturn in the state was bad, but stated, We will come out of it.” He said, “We saw it coming and put aside money in a rainy day fund. We’re in a better situation than some other government agencies. At the same time each of our departments has had a 6 1/2 percent reduction in funding and there have been no raises. In addition the unions are working with us and have signed a two year agreement with us, helping stabilize the situation.”
Introducing Knabe was Dave Gillotte with the Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014. He reviewed Knabe's public service, noting he was elected to the Cerritos City Council in 1980 and served for eight years, including two terms at Mayor. He said he was very involved in supporting and implementing the city’s general plan, first as a citizen, then as a planning commissioner and later as a member of the city council and mayor.
He said the plan is now regarded as a national model for sensible growth. It called for development of the Cerritos Auto Square, the Los Cerritos Center, and the Cerritos Towne Center, creating a tax base that provided jobs, more citizen services, doubled the number of city parks, and allowed for the creation of the nationally acclaimed Cerritos Performing Arts Center.
Following a successful career as a small business owner, the Supervisor joined County Supervisor Deane Dana’s staff in 1982, soon becoming his chief of staff. Gillotte said it was through Knabe’s personal effort that the County ocean lifeguards were transferred to the County Fire Department.
He concluded by describing Knabe as a family man who looks at the county like it was his own family.