SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL

These are the candidates running for three seats on the San Juan Capistrano City Council in the Nov. 6 election.

Roy L. Byrnes

Age: 66

Occupation: Physician

Background: Served as mayor, 1973-75, and councilman, 1972-76; chairman of fund raising for the city’s open space initiative, Measure D; former board member Orange County Medical Society.

Issues: Wants city’s redevelopment agency to be critically examined in light of pending recession; wants to limit council terms to eight years; believes City Council and city staff should be more responsive to citizen input and concerns.

Jerry V. Harris

Age: 42

Occupation: Owns equestrian center

Background: Founded Western Heritage Assn.; serves on Design Review Commission; current chairman of San Juan Open Space Citizens Advisory Committee; an 18-year resident.

Issues: Wants to initiate police foot patrol or mounted patrols in neighborhoods; wants city to have active participation in gang control; wants to maintain rural atmosphere and character of the community and historic charm of downtown; wants to preserve open space and agricultural areas.

Robert J. Davies

Age: 48

Occupation: Systems analyst; consultant

Background: Served 14 years on city Planning Commission, 1974-88; worked on the committee that helped write city’s current General Plan; a 19-year resident.

Issues: Wants to limit council service to two four-year terms; wants to re-examine plans for Historic Town Center; wants to maintain city’s growth management plan and its historic charm.

Collene (Thompson) Campbell

Age: 58

Occupation: Businesswoman; administrator

Background: Served as a planning commissioner for nearly eight years; 12-year resident.

Issues: Wants to help install innovative anti-crime and anti-drug programs in schools; seeks more support for local law enforcement, possibly including putting more patrol cars on the street; supports work of current City Council.

Gary L. Hausdorfer

Age: 44

Occupation: Incumbent; businessman

Background: City’s current mayor and a 12-year member of the council; chairman and founder of South Orange County Leadership Conference; board member of Transportation Corridor Agencies; director of Drug Use Is Life Abuse Foundation.

Issues: Wants to implement city’s open space plan; wants to preserve growth management and ridgeline preservation ordinances; wants to implement local and regional transportation solutions; wants to increase recreational facilities for youth; opposes an airport in South County.

Gil Jones

Age: 58

Occupation: Businessman

Background: Current member of the city Planning Commission; former member of Los Rios Review Committee; co-chairman of San Juan Citizens for Open Space Bond Committee; chairman of Citizens Sign Ordinance Committee; member Chamber of Commerce.

Issues: Seeks to preserve open space and enforce the city’s ridgeline ordinance; wants to ensure that citizens get what was promised in the open space initiative; wants to preserve city’s historical heritage and traditions.

T.J. Meadows

Age: 65

Occupation: Engineer

Background: Currently general manager of San Juan Basin Authority; general manager of Capistrano Valley Water District for 33 years; former member of city Planning Commission; city fire chief for 11 years; a 55-year resident.

Issues: Wants to construct flood-control facilities and protect local water supply; seeks to fight overcrowding and traffic congestion.

Gerhard D. Peters

Age: 19

Occupation: Student

Background: Majoring in political science; involved with local 4-H Club for six years; a seven-year resident.

Issues: Wants to limit commercial development; wants to ban storage of recreational vehicles and boats on residential streets; wants to expand recycling project; wants to limit council members to one term.

Joan Scarantino

Age: 59

Occupation: Restaurant business

Background: Worked as a volunteer with South Coast Literacy Council, South County Community Clinic and Fran Joswick Therapeutic Riding Center; member of Mission San Juan Capistrano choir; a 15-year resident.

Issues: Wants to increase communication between City Hall and residents; would like to seek solution to traffic and parking problems; wants to limit development of commercial space; wants a full-time council; wants council members limited to two terms.

Joe Soto

Age: 41

Occupation: Owner of Soto Co.

Background: Director, Mission School Board of Education; director of South County Community Clinic; past president of San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club; director of San Juan Capistrano Task Force for San Juan School; member of San Juan Capistrano Civic Center Advisory Board.

Issues: Wants to ensure recreational facilities are provided in open space bond; wants to maintain sensitivity to historical downtown; wants to re-evaluate traffic study for downtown; wants to put emphasis on Latino needs in community.

Mitchell I. Streger

Age: 52

Occupation: Physician

Background: Lived in San Juan Capistrano for three years; part-time sheriff’s deputy. Issues: Wants to manage population growth and traffic congestion; wants to conserve and protect water supplies; wants to enhance beauty and environment of the community.

Donna Timney

Age: 43

Occupation: Businesswoman

Background: Orange Coast College graduate; a six-year resident.

Issues: Wants city-operated police force; wants to extend Alipaz Street to alleviate traffic congestion; wants to end the redevelopment of downtown; wants to slow commercial development; wants council seats divided into city districts.

Jeff Vasquez

Age: 34

Occupation: Photographer and filmmaker

Background: Former director of the Chamber of Commerce; local businessman for 13 years; a 21-year resident.

Issues: Seeks to better communication at City Hall; seeks greater fiscal responsibility; thinks city government needs a new voice.