Why I support Glendale’s general obligation bonds

James Nguyen

Submitted photo

Glendale voters will see two General Obligation bond measures on the ballot this November. I had the privilege of serving on the Glendale Bond Committee and wanted to share what I learned from our meetings:

• In March 2025, the city conducted a survey of 400 residents (0.15% of the city’s population) to gauge public interest in four possible GO bond categories: operations facilities, flood control, parks and libraries.

• In May 2025, before the first meeting of the Bond Committee was held, the City Council decided that only operations facilities and flood control would be considered for the November election.

• Question 1 is for $30 million in flood control bonds that will address recurring stormwater flood control issues throughout the city, with a significant focus on the area around Bethany Home Road, 43^rd Avenue and Grand Avenue.

• Question 2 is for $35 million in operations facilities bonds that will address unacceptable working conditions for city staff at the Glendale Operations Campus. This 30-acre campus was first constructed in 1976 and inadequate investment in maintenance has led to significant issues including lack of central air conditioning, unnecessary exposure to hazardous materials, obsolete and deteriorating structures, etc.

I was shocked to learn that city staff are working in 100-plus-degree heat to maintain the police and fire vehicles that we all depend on for emergency services. I don’t think anyone in our community would find this acceptable. How can we be confident in the city’s ability to ensure public safety for 260,000 residents when it is clearly struggling to provide a safe working environment for 2,000 employees?

This election will provide voters with an opportunity to resolve both of these longstanding issues. I hope you will join me in supporting both GO bond measures in November.

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