The City of Torrance has lost a denizen of local politics and history. Last week, officials announced the passing of former Mayor Ken Miller. He died Sunday, January 19, at the age of 97.
Miller was a lifelong Torrance resident and an Army veteran who served in the China-Burma-India Theater during WWII. He sat on the Torrance Planning Commission from 1960 to 1962 and was a city councilman from 1962 to 1970. He held the mayorship from 1970 to 1978.
“Ever fair and reasonable in his approach, Ken’s major concerns during his 18 years in office focused on improving quality of life for people in Torrance,” the city said in a press release. “These concerns encompassed property tax relief; judicious application of Federal revenue-sharing programs, establishment of an independent library system; expansion of cultural and recreational programs; controls on environment pollution and hazards; strengthening police and fire protection; and long-range planning and budgeting for the continued health of the City. He also sought and ultimately got a change to the City Charter to limit the mayor to two terms.
“Also during his time as Mayor, Ken focused on gaining more parkland for the City and acquired land that would become parts of Columbia Park and Wilson Park. He also made sure that developers set aside pockets of land while making houses so that they would be saved for parks. He was instrumental in the Meadow Park Redevelopment Project and the build out of the Del Amo Fashion Center extending the Mall from Hawthorne Blvd. to Madrona Blvd.”
Miller is survived by his wife Joan, their three children, six grandchildren, and a great grandchild.