Dan ChinCouncil Member
District C
Term: 2000-2004
2004-2008
2008-2012
Dan Chin was born in the City of Hanford, attended local public and parochial elementary schools in Hanford, graduated from Woodrow Wilson Junior High and Hanford High School in 1977.
In October of 1978, Dan was involved in a car accident where he broke his neck and was paralyzed from the shoulders down. After spending 6 months at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, Dan returned home to continue his life. After a year of adjustment he enrolled at the College of the Sequoias in 1980. It was about this time that Dan, along with Ernie Costa “Founder of Kings Rehabilitation Center” and others, formed the Kings County Chapter of the California Association of the physically handicapped (CAPH). The Chapter’s mission was to educate the public on the needs of the disabled living within the City of Hanford and Kings County. Their most successful event was to place elected officials in wheelchairs for the day and have them live their lives. This event was extremely successful and Dan was asked by the City Council of Hanford to begin advising them on accessibility issues for the city. In 1982, Dan along with Elbe Groves, identified the first 21 locations for curb-cuts in and around downtown Hanford and the Civic Auditorium grounds. Sometime later, a controversy arose concerning the design of a ramp at the Civic Auditorium. Dan was asked to give testimony in front of the Historic Resources Committee on what he believed was the best design for access to the Civic Auditorium. His vision was recommended to the City Council and adopted as the current design which is now used on a daily basis. At this same time, Dan was completing his AA Degree at COS and graduated in 1983 with a high grade point average.
In 1984, Dan joined the Hanford Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce). In 1985 as an active member, Dan’s sister Sandy approached him with an idea of raising canned food items for the Salvation Army. The Hanford Jaycees did a project called the “Hanford Canned Food Movie” at the Fox Theatre; the first movie shown was the The Great Mouse Detective. This event continues today raising thousands of items for food baskets distributed by the Salvation Army during Christmas.
In 1985 Dan became the first member of his family to graduate from college. In 1987 Dan served as a District Governor for the California Jaycees receiving National Recognition for his commitment and accomplishment to the Jaycee Organization. In August of 1988 Dan was appointed to the Planning Commission of the City of Hanford. In 1989 Dan was elected the 62nd State President of the California Junior Chamber of Commerce and became the first person ever elected out of the San Joaquin Valley to this post. In 1990, after completing a year of visiting over 200 communities in California, Dan returned home to become an active participant with his father in a family run business.
One of Dan’s most significant accomplishments during his 11 year involvement on the Hanford Planning Commission was the creation of the Regional Commercial Zoning at the corner of 12th Avenue and Lacey Boulevard that paved the way for development on the west side and established the zoning necessary for downtown Hanford to be successful. During his tenure on the Planning Commission, Dan was involved in approving two general plans for the City of Hanford. In 1993 Dan encouraged his father to relocate Buddy’s Trophies. After looking around at different locations throughout the city the trophy shop was relocated to its current location on Eighth Street. Buddy’s Trophies has been in continuous operation in downtown Hanford since 1960.
In the early 90’s, Dan also became actively involved in the Hanford Improvement Association. At that time HIA had only a part-time secretary running the organization. In 1996, Dan became President and later that year convinced the Council to turn the secretary position into a full-time position. In November of 1998 Dan ran for School Board for the Hanford Elementary School District and was elected. Upon his election to the School Board, Dan resigned his position on the Hanford Planning Commission.
In 2000 he made the decision to run for the Hanford City Council and was elected in November. With his election to the City Council he vacated his position on the School Board after 2 years and concluded his 20 year involvement in the Hanford Christmas Parade Committee and Kings County Homecoming Committee. Dan is serving his third term on the Hanford City Council; during his 10 year tenure he has served as Mayor three times.
During this time there have many accomplishments for which he is extremely proud. Since Dan has been on the Council, they have approved a general plan, reacquired the Court House Square, dedicated Freedom Park, formed a partnership for the Hanford Learning Center, established a redevelopment district for downtown Hanford, assisted in the passage of Measure C, changed the zoning to prohibit the establishment of theatres outside of downtown Hanford and, as mayor during 2005, supported recognizing Martin Luther King Day as an official city holiday.
Dan has been active in serving the City of Hanford in many ways over the last 30 years but it is his involvement in the family business for the last 21 years that he is most proud. In 1998, with the passing of his father, Dan stepped-in and has been managing the business for his mother ever since.
