(TAP) - Besides leading Westminster out of its financial crisis and raising its reserves to a record high, Mayor Charlie Nguyen has also helped lay the groundwork for a series of large-scale development projects. His decision to seek re-election for the 2026-2030 term is a commitment to protecting the community’s achievements and building a strong future for a prosperous Westminster.
Substantive Policy Decisions
A leadership term is measured not only by its pledges but most clearly by how it transforms a city. Mayor Charlie Nguyen (Nguyen Manh Chi) took office facing a complex financial challenge: a budget deficit and reserves that were struggling at around $20 million. Putting the city’s stability first, he and the City Council focused on overhauling the administrative apparatus and making management more transparent. Thanks to these effective measures, Westminster’s reserves recovered to $65 million, the highest figure in nearly a decade, creating a solid “financial shield”.
Mayor Charlie Nguyen has steered Westminster’s budget through the threat of bankruptcy, reaching a record reserve of $65 million. Source: westminster-ca.gov
That financial foundation has brought direct improvements to residents’ daily lives. The police and fire departments have been strengthened to respond promptly in emergencies, and local departments have streamlined administrative procedures to serve residents and businesses more efficiently. On homelessness in particular, the partnership to establish the “Central Cities Navigation Center”, together with a dedicated police unit, has produced a humane solution: it supports vulnerable people while keeping neighborhoods safe and clean.
Steadfast in His Commitment to Serving Fairly and Honoring Identity
Throughout the term, one of the major priorities Mayor Charlie Nguyen has persistently pursued, but which needs more time to complete, is a series of landmark projects: the “Welcome to Little Saigon” gateway, the Vietnamese Community Center, and the plan to revitalize the Little Saigon district on Bolsa Avenue. These proposals have drawn great interest as well as mixed opinions, with some residents asking whether the city is focusing its resources on favoring the Vietnamese community.
Mayor Charlie Nguyen remains committed to developing Little Saigon into a vibrant cultural and commercial destination for the entire city. Source: Facebook (City of Westminster)
Facing public opinion head-on, Mayor Charlie Nguyen affirmed a consistent governing principle: “To serve all of Westminster’s residents fairly, without favoring one community or overlooking another”. In his view, honoring the cultural heritage of one community does not create division but rather enriches the entire city’s multi-ethnic picture.
Rather than backing down under pressure, he has chosen to stay firm on the course he set, while continuing to listen to feedback in order to build consensus. All of these projects have now completed their legal procedures, budgeting, and design, and are in the stage of detailed implementation planning. Mayor Charlie Nguyen emphasized the bigger picture: the gateway and the Community Center, together with the planned infrastructure upgrades on Bolsa Avenue, are expected to create a vibrant new commercial and tourism hub. He believes this series of projects will bring practical benefits, helping residents better understand the projects and share a common sense of pride in Westminster.
Protecting Shared Achievements and Sustaining Momentum for the Future
Mayor Charlie Nguyen has decided to run for re-election for the 2026-2030 term in order to protect the city’s achievements and continue completing the unfinished plans for Westminster. Source: Facebook (City of Westminster)
Ahead of the 2026 election, Westminster faces two crucial choices: continue to break forward, or risk stalling and losing the achievements that were won through so much hard work. This is precisely what has motivated Mayor Charlie Nguyen to run for re-election for the 2026-2030 term. The road ahead demands experienced leadership, a strong sense of responsibility, and a determination to serve to the end, in order to complete the strategic projects still in progress. These include the redevelopment of the 100-acre “Westminster Mall” site, the upgrade of the deteriorating commercial area on Bolsa Avenue, and the completion of the Little Saigon gateway, as well as working toward a new high-rise City Hall that is dignified and worthy of the city’s image.
Mayor Charlie Nguyen affirmed: “We cannot afford to lose the achievements we have worked so hard to build together. I will continue to dedicate myself to public service so that we can pass on to future generations a safe, prosperous, and ever-growing Westminster”.
Mie Duong
