Placentia City Council Candidates

Eight candidates, including three incumbents, are seeking three City Council seats at stake in Placentia. A quick look at the contenders:

Stephen W. Bradford

Age: 81

Occupation: Mining surveyor and engineer, business owner

Background: Experience in engineering and mining industries

Major issues: Curb city spending and taxes; upgrade environmental standards to reduce smog; improve water quality

Charles B. Chamberlain

Age: 34

Occupation: Risk manager

Background: Board member, Alternatives to Living in a Violent Environment, a domestic violence and child abuse organization; Placentia Chamber of Commerce member

Major issues: Restructuring city budget to save money; changing the way services are provided by instituting a competitive service program; forming “citizen empowerment groups” to study city problems

Johannes “John” Hoevers

Age: 36

Occupation: Senior account manager

Background: Former cultural arts commissioner; resident since 1987

Major issues: Eliminate city’s 4% utility tax; improve council responsiveness to residents; increase number of businesses to raise city revenues

James Itow

Age: 51

Occupation: Facilities manager for Orange County Superior Court

Background: Retired U.S. Army reserve, 30 years; West Placentia Little League member; 16-year resident

Major issues: Improve city services; coordinate public services with school districts, library, senior citizens programs; eliminate government waste and fiscal abuse

Michael L. Maertzweiler

Age: 54

Occupation: Cost analyst for an aerospace company

Background: Incumbent; Placentia Police

Department reserve officers for 11 years; former planning commissioner

Major issues: Supports conservative growth and managing services for residents to ensure road maintenance, manicured parks, public safety and clean streets; wants police and fire services to be highest priority

Maria Moreno

Age: 42

Occupation: Educator and businesswoman

Background: Incumbent; chairwoman of Orange County Housing Commission; member of Placentia Chamber of Commerce and Placentia coalition, YMCA Communities in Prevention-North, whose goal is to reduce problems related to alcohol, tobacco and drug use

Major issues: Increase council responsiveness to residents’ and business concerns; reduce crime through enhanced police visibility and patrols; allow new taxes and tax increases to be decided by voters

John O. Tynes

Age: 79

Occupation: Retired educator

Background: Incumbent; city resident since 1944; supporter of city recreation programs since 1946; former teacher and coach at Valencia High School; superintendent of Placentia Unified School District, 1971-1979

Major issues: Recreation programs to keep youngsters from being involved in gangs and drugs; more police officers; repair streets, curbs and gutters; attract new businesses to increase city’s tax base; replace park equipment to increase safety

Constance “Connie” Underhill

Age: 54

Occupation: Administrative assistant/project coordinator

Background: Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, 1987; Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustee, 1990-1992; resident since 1981

Major issues: Restore property values by reducing crime, including eliminating gangs, drug dealers and graffiti; attract tenants to empty strip mall stores; increase recreational programs for all ages

Source: Individual candidates