EMMA MONACO singing “The Star Spangled Banner” at the State of the City event in Garden Grove (Tribune photos).

By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune

The past, present and future merged at the annual Garden Grove State of the City event held on Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Orange County hotel in Garden Grove.

MAYOR STEPHANIE KLOPFENSTEIN.

A highlight of the gathering was the first “state” address by new Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein, the city’s first directly-elected woman mayor.

“I’m excited to share what a really strong year the city had last year,” said Klopfenstein, “and how this year will be even more powerful.”

The new mayor – elected in November 2024 after serving on the city council – emphasized the importance of family, especially appropriate as she is a fourth generation Garden Grover.

“None of this is possible without your family,” she said, thanking members of her extended clan. “You need that rock.”
She emphasized her confidence in the city’s standing and future. “Garden Grove is a key destination and for all the right reasons. Garden Grove is a city that embraces where we’ve been and where we’re going and we are going places.”

Giving Klopfenstein’s appearance some context was an introduction  by Garden Grove’s first female mayor, Kathryn “Kay” Barr, who served from 1969-70  when the mayor was chosen from among the council.

The mayor listed some projects for 2025-26 including the Civic Center Revitalization project which will contain a new police facility with adjoining parking structure, a renewed “Foods of Garden Grove” program and a newly-revamped Woodbury Park.

Other highlights of the “State of the City” included a rousing rendering of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Emma Monaco, director of post-acute care at Garden Grove Hospital & Medical Center and the introduction of Shelby, a golden retriever, who will join the Garden Grove Police Department’s team of emotional support dogs.

The “State of the City” is a joint effort of the City of Garden Grove and the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce. Claudette J. Baldemor is president and CEO of the chamber.