City Guide

SAN CLEMENTE

Mayor: Candace Haggard

Age: 44

Occupation: Senior staff analyst for Orange County

First elected: 1988

Term expires: 1996

Issues: Wants to work on rehabilitating city streets and deal with the county bankruptcy. Supports economic development, particularly attracting and retaining businesses. Wants the city to continue encouraging the development of business parks that provide jobs and services.

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Mayor Pro Tem: Steve Apodaca

Age: 44

Occupation: Part-owner of an insurance brokerage

First elected: 1994

Term expires: 1998

Issues: Says dealing with the Orange County bankruptcy and working to improve the condition of city streets and infrastructure are top concerns. Supports a long-term plan for street repairs and maintenance. Wants to make the city more business-friendly and create more retail businesses as a way of boosting sales tax revenues.

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Councilman: Patrick M. Ahle

Age: 37

Occupation: Assistant city attorney for Anaheim

First elected: 1994

Term expires: 1998

Issues: Wants to find ways to repair local streets without burdening taxpayers. Favors strengthening code enforcement efforts as a way of cleaning up neighborhoods. Wants to retain existing businesses and attract new ones. “We basically have been a bedroom community, and the tax base is really lacking,” he said.

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Councilman: Joseph Anderson

Age: 52

Occupation: Insurance agency manager

First elected: 1990

Term expires: 1998

Issues: Wants to effectively deal with street repairs. Says promoting economic development is another high priority. Wants to streamline the city’s sign ordinance and permits process. Supports reducing committee review for routine business and zoning permits. Wants to overhaul the city’s investment policy in the wake of the county bankruptcy.

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Councilman: Scott Diehl

Age: 44

Occupation: Veterinarian

First elected: 1982-86; elected 1988

Term expires: 1996

Issues: Wants to put together a program to improve the city’s road system. Wants the city to consider joining with neighboring communities to form regional authorities to handle such services as water and law enforcement.

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Other Key Officials

City Manager: Michael W. Parness

Age: 40

Length in Office: 5 1/2 years

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City Attorney: Jeffrey M. Oderman

Age: 46

Length in Office: 15 years

Police Chief: Contract with Orange County Sheriff’s Department

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Fire Chief: Contract with Orange County Fire Authority

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How to Reach Them

Council Meets: 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month at City Hall, 100 Avenida Presidio.

Phone: (714) 361-8200.

Fast Facts

Incorporated: 1928.

City Song: “On the Beach of San Clemente”

City Flower: Bougainvillea

City Slogan: “Spanish Village by the Sea”

Population: 45,050

Legislative districts: 38th Senate District (William P. Craven); 73rd Assembly District (Bill Morrow), 48th Congressional District (Ron Packard)

Operating Budget: $109.5 million

City employees: 230 full-time employees

Highest-paid employee: The city manager is paid $99,000 annually.

Council pay: $217 per month

Sister City: San Clemente del Tuyu, Argentina

RESEARCHED BY HOLLY J. WAGNER