New Mayor, Defeated Foes Talk of Patching Up Differences

Wily, outspoken J. Tilman Williams appears to have won the tight mayoral election in Garden Grove against three council members he blasted during the sometimes bitter campaign, but he said he does not anticipate any clashes with his new colleagues when he assumes the post in 10 days.

The final tally showed Williams edging Councilman Milton Krieger by 18 votes, 1,668 to 1,650. Councilmen Robert F. Dinsen and W. E. (Walt) Donovan trailed with 1,641 and 1591, respectively. The figures are to be certified by the county registrar of voters early next week.

Williams, who served as mayor from 1976 to 1978, labeled his three top challengers “prima donnas” for failing to appoint a replacement when former Mayor Jonathan H. Cannon resigned to become a West Municipal Court judge, thereby forcing the city to spend $60,000 for the special election.

Williams, 62, also was highly critical of the city’s recent bailout of the Princess Alicante Hotel in which the new operator, Hyatt Corp., was given a $2-million loan in return for 5% of any profits.

The challengers said Williams ran a dirty campaign in the latter days of the race to enable him to squeak in with the narrow victory.

“Sour grapes, just sour grapes,” Williams said. “We ran a good, hard campaign and we did what it took to win.”

Krieger, while voicing deep disappointment at the narrow loss, said any wounds from the race must be quickly healed.

“It’s over and we better get our act together, all of us,” he said. “We’re going to have to pull together. It would be criminal if we started bickering. . . .

“But I also think the mayor has to stop saying the council is a bunch of clowns. He’s going to have to be less confrontational. We all have to realize, too, that Garden Grove is going be here long after Tilman Williams, Milt Krieger, Donovan and Dinsen,” added Krieger, who said he was committed to pursuing the mayor’s seat in the 1988 elections.

Dinsen also said he does not think that Williams will make much difference in the makeup of the City Council when he takes office Nov. 16.

“All of his statements were made to get him elected. He made some untruths by omission,” Dinsen said.

Dinsen said Williams, although criticizing the $2-million loan to the Hyatt Corp., voted for the initial $8 million the city contributed to the Princess Alicante Hotel project.

“Sure, I voted for that. What I don’t like is going into partnership (with Hyatt) if they make a profit,” Williams said. “We already collect money on property taxes. Why the hell do we want to give the guy $2 million?”

Donovan, without elaborating, said Williams “would have to face some truths” when he takes leadership of the city.

“But I’m assuming we’ll tend to our business and put this behind us,” Donovan said.

Williams, who said he will “probably” run for reelection next year, said the council will function without any internal conflicts “when everything cools off. Everything will be normal.”