During the past several years, Gardena has made gains as a business-friendly city. Art Kaskanian, owner of Sam’s Autoland and a candidate for Gardena city council, says he has worked hard to attract new business.
Kaskanian said through his contacts in the business community (via the Elks Lodge, the Kiwanis, and as a current planning commissioner) Gardena residents now enjoy Yogurtland, Starbucks, and Chipotle Mexican Grill in the Gardena Marketplace, which is across Western Avenue from his auto business.
During the past several years, Gardena has made gains as a business-friendly city. Art Kaskanian, owner of Sam’s Autoland and a candidate for Gardena city council, says he has worked hard to attract new business.
Kaskanian said through his contacts in the business community (via the Elks Lodge, the Kiwanis, and as a current planning commissioner) Gardena residents now enjoy Yogurtland, Starbucks, and Chipotle Mexican Grill in the Gardena Marketplace, which is across Western Avenue from his auto business.
As a councilman, Kaskanian says he will bring even more businesses into the city, including In N Out Burger, whose arrival in Gardena has seemingly stalled.
His family-owned business of more than 25 years also gives him a lot of business savvy, he said.
But bringing more businesses to Gardena is only part of Kaskanian’s plan to improve the city. His four-part platform also includes getting public safety more involved in the community, having clean drinking water, and developing more youth programs.
One of the more recent issues that has plagued the city is the clean drinking water issue. Since at least the end of last month, Gardena residents have had black sludge spewing from their faucets and showerheads, causing anger and frustration.
Kaskanian says that as an elected official, he will demand answers and action from Golden State Water Company.
“I will go after the responsible party and make sure that we have whatever it takes to have clean drinking water because I drink from that water too, as well as my family,” Kaskanian said. If it takes for me to be an Erin Brockovich, then I want to be Erin Brockovich (on this issue).”
A far as helping the kids, he says he wants to work closely with law enforcement to develop new youth programs. Kaskanian is in full support of Gardena’s Juvenile Justice and Intervention Program, which works to get kids off the streets, off drugs and out of gangs.
Kaskanian, who the current chair of the Gardena Planning Commission, said one of the best things about the city is the involvement of residents in maintaining the friendly and safe environment of the city.
“Whenever I go to neighborhood watch meetings or any other meetings, I see everybody is involved,” he said. “That’s the thing I love about the city. All the residents, they are united and involved in keeping the city safe, clean, and friendly.”
