CANDIDATE PROFILES for city offices in Garden Grove, Huntington Beach and Westminster.

Note to readers: The Orange County Tribune is posting the results of questionnaires sent to candidates for city office in Garden Grove, Huntington Beach and Westminster as a public service. These are not paid political ads and do not imply endorsement. They are being posted in the order in which they are received.

Candidate: Stephanie Klopfenstein

Running for: Garden Grove City Council, District 5

Resident of Garden Grove

Age: 36

Occupation: Marketing consultant

Family: Married with a daughter

Community service: Currently a member of the Garden Grove Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission, a board member of the Garden Grove Neighborhood Association, member of the CHOC Lamplighter Guild and member of the Garden Grove Downtown Business Association.

Why running: I am running for City Council because it is a pivotal and exciting time for the future of our city. Fresh faces and new ideas on council can help ensure the success of the economic and social goals our city are working towards. My longevity in the community and my family’s deeply rooted history in Garden Grove are at the heart of my commitment to give back to the city that has given me so much.

STEPHANIE KLOPFENSTEIN, Garden Grove city council candidate.

I think several major issues facing our city are:

We need more police on our streets. Our crime rate is up and we need to make sure our police and fire departments have what they need to succeed and keep us safe.

Homelessness is another issue that is rapidly growing in Garden Grove. We must continue to educate ourselves on what other cities and states are doing to help the homeless population and then figure out what will work best for Garden Grove. I am proud of the work that our Garden Grove Police Department’s Special Resources Team does for the homeless community and we need to continue to learn from them and support their efforts.

Garden Grove has a budget deficit. Our economic development is growing, especially along Harbor Boulevard. I hope the proceeds from these new hotel projects will reduce the deficit and help us to maintain a prudent fiscal reserve.

I am currently endorsed by: Senator Janet Nguyen, Garden Grove Council Member Chris Phan, Garden Grove Council Member Phat Bui, Garden Grove Council Member Kris Beard, Garden Grove Firefighters Local 2005 and the Garden Grove Police Association.