MISSION VIEJO CITY COUNCIL

These are the candidates running for the Mission Viejo City Council in the Nov. 6 election. Incumbents Christian W. Keena and Victoria C. Jaffe did not file for reelection. Robert Breton Age: 45 Occupation: Assistant state attorney general. Background: Planning commissioner, former chairman of municipal advisory committee. Issues: Wants to halt the divisive atmosphere among the City Council members. Ray Carolin Age: 42 Occupation: Marketing strategist. Background: Member of Mission Viejo and Saddleback Valley Republican Club. Issues: Would attract new leadership for City Council and ease transition of Mission Viejo Co.’s planned exodus from city in five years. Sharon Cody Age: 43 Occupation: Homemaker. Background: Former government service supervisor, chairwoman of citizens’ committee against recall of Councilman Robert A. Curtis. Issues: Favors competitive bidding for city contracts, is against control of city government by special interests. John Connolly Age: 48 Occupation: Attorney. Background: Trustee of Saddleback Community College District, alternate member of the Orange County Republican Central Committee. Issues: Would initiate innovative plans on spending of city tax dollars. Allan Gallup Age: 36 Occupation: Businessman. Background: Vice chairman of city parks and recreation commission, president of Mission Viejo American Youth Soccer Organization. Issues: Would increase leadership from City Council, preserve open space and parklands, would seek long-range planning to solve traffic congestion problems. David Holbert Age: 45 Occupation: Deputy tax assessor for Orange County. Background: A 20-year resident Mission Viejo. Issues: Would ban City Council members from voting on issues affecting anyone who has made a contribution to their political campaign, increase fiscal responsibility in City Hall, slow growth. Edward Kearns (photo not available) Age: 70 Occupation: Retired U.S. Postal Service employee. Background: Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks Lodge and a volunteer in Mission Viejo’s Meals on Wheels program. Issues: Would hold city service contracts, such as trash pickup, to a maximum of three years. Is interested in establishing more city programs for youths and senior citizens. Joseph Lowe Age: 45 Occupation: Fire captain. Background: Planning commissioner, former member of design review board for Laguna Beach. Issues: Would protect open space and ease traffic problems. Marilyn MacDougall Age: 44 Occupation: Trainer for Orange County sheriff’s deputies. Background: Chairwoman of city traffic and transportation commission, former chairwoman of municipal advisory council. Issues: Would improve traffic circulation and work on human service issues, such as day care and transportation for senior citizens. Gary Manley Age: 48 Occupation: Businessman. Background: Member of Board of Governors of the Saddleback College Foundation, member of South Orange County Chamber of Commerce committees. Issues: Would improve city’s handling of financial affairs and eliminate frills from a new City Hall. David Mitchell (photo not available) Age: 61 Occupation: Retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. Background: Worked for the Pentagon; trainer for U.S. Marine Corps. Issues: Wants better managed growth of city and improvement of council’s decision-making. Norman P. Murray Age: 72 Occupation: Incumbent/ retired businessman. Background: Was elected to the council in 1988. Former member of Mission Viejo’s municipal advisory committee and the only incumbent running for reelection. Issues: Wants to reduce crime, increase city’s financial status and traffic enforcement. Val Secarea Jr. Age: 45 Occupation: Aerospace technology development Background: President of Oso Valley Greenbelt Assn. Issues: Would increase financial planning and overall comprehensive planning, improve levels of city service. Susan Withrow Age: 35 Occupation: Municipal employee for Dana Point. Background: Former Saddleback Valley Unified School District instructor. Issues: Would halt what she says is rubber-stamping of contracts and decisions made by the county before city’s incorporation and would keep close tabs on proposed Foothill Transportation Corridor and protect open space.