Hawaiian Gardens : Ex-Safety Commissioner Appointed to Council

Former Public Safety Commissioner Esther Flores has been appointed to the Hawaiian Gardens City Council to replace Venn Furgeson, who recently resigned due to ill health.

Flores, 40, a longtime supporter of Mayor Kathleen Navejas, was picked for the post at a special council meeting Monday morning. Councilwoman Rosalie Sher cast the only vote against the appointment, saying she preferred a special election.

The appointment of Flores brings to four the number of women on the five-member council. Domenic Ruggeri is the only male council member.

The appointment drew immediate criticism from former Councilman Richard Vineyard, who last month lost a bid to regain his council seat. “Esther Flores hasn’t got any qualifications for the job except that she’s a Navejas person,” Vineyard said.

Flores responded: “I have my own mind . . . and I will not be anyone’s puppet.”

The new councilwoman works for the mayor in the mayor’s bridal store business, Gowns By Valdez. A resident of the city since 1967, Flores and her husband, Rene, have four children and one grandchild.