2014 Election Special

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The Capistrano Dispatch

Transcript of 2014 Election Special

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Leading San Juan ForwardCouncil candidates make final pitch before voters hit the polls Nov. 4

IBY THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

n the Oct. 10-Oct. 23 edition of The Capistrano Dispatch, the eight candi-dates seeking three seats on the San

Juan Capistrano City Council in the Nov. 4 election weighed in on downtown parking. Candidates shared their thoughts on the issues at hand and provided solutions to problems they see.

For our fourth and final question, we asked the candidates:

Why should voters choose you to

help guide San Juan Capistrano

for the next four years?

Below are their responses, printed ver-batim, in the order their names will appear on the ballot.

Jan Siegel, Community Volunteer

I am a proven leader. I am fiscally conservative. I know that money must be spent to maintain our qual-ity of life.

For the past 13 years I have served on the Cultural Heritage Commission making decisions for historic preservation and rea-soned growth. I have a record of support-ing our heritage, our equestrian life style and our village atmosphere.

As curator of Historical Society Muse-um and serving on the Board of Directors, I have celebrated the cultural diversity of our unique community.

As a 20 year docent for the Architectural Walking Tours in town, I understand what

brings people to visit our town. As Chairman of the City’s 50th Anniver-

sary of Incorporation, I provided leader-ship to the business community, schools, and the City on yearlong celebratory free events for residents and visitors.

As columnist for the Dispatch, my “Mo-ments In Time” articles have given me the opportunity to appreciate our vast and diverse history.

Honored as the Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year, the City Volunteer of the Year, Mission Gala Honoree, I have shown that I have the experience, energy and ability to work with all groups within our community.

I appreciate your vote.

Derek Reeve, Council-man/Constitutional Attorney

I am the only candidate with a proven record tenaciously fighting for tax-payers, everyday residents,

and the constitutional rights of all. I have been honest and transparent about where I stand on issues, and have kept every campaign promise.

I am the most fiscally responsible coun-cilman. I voted against every tax and fee increase and opposed incurring more debt and wasteful spending totaling approxi-mately 20 million dollars.

I have fought for property rights, but oppose high density Spieker Development and Urban Village downtown hotel/resi-dential project which will increase traffic, urbanize our town and strain our water resources.

I crusaded to remove San Juan Capist-rano from the water business. I opposed

the council majority-supported illegal tiered water rate increase of over 30%. The current water system is too expensive and is damaging our aquifer.

I will continue to fight and correct the intentional error of the council major-ity that created the downtown parking shortage and will instead provide for more parking in the downtown.

I will continue to fight red tape and fees on business including eliminating the busi-ness license tax.

I am endorsed and trusted, including by the Orange County Register.

Reeve is Right! Together, We Can Fight City Hall!

Pam Patterson, Consti-tutional Attorney/Busi-nesswoman

Experience Matters: I fight for what is right. I am a member in good stand-ing of the US Supreme

Court Bar; California State/Supreme Court Bars. I fight hard for those I rep-resent, and in doing so, have climbed the ladder to the US Supreme Court protect-ing rights of children with disabilities. Under my watch, your quality of life will be the priority.

Putting Residents First: Being cause-driven versus money-driven, I represent children pro bono. I am keenly aware of Council members’ legal duty to our residents. I will restore much needed transparency which is presently lacking.

Will Work Tirelessly with Council Mem-bers and Up the Ladder: to restore our quality of life, reasonable water rates, and ease of getting through town.

Support General Plan: I will fight to preserve our small village-like community and open space for future generations; en-hancing existing development by revital-izing older areas.

Pro-Business Platform: Revitalizing downtown while enhancing our unique historic community is the best way to stimulate local business. By fostering what makes us different, we can create a unique and superior retail experience, beautifying our community while improving quality of life; and make San Juan The Place to shop and dine in South County.

John Taylor, Business-man/Councilmember

When I began my term four years ago, the reces-sion had hit our downtown. Thanks to our revitaliza-tion efforts, several new

businesses have opened and our city is

thriving. We:• Reduced city staff• Renegotiated city pensions• Cut city expenses • Built our emergency cash reserves Every decision I make is for the benefit

of ALL 35,000 residents -- not just the west side or eastside of town, and certainly not for a few vocal people who are “anti everything.” While they vote no on parks, on Boys & Girls Club, on school crossing guards, and increasing law enforcement – I vote YES because it’s best for our community.

A 25-year resident of the Los Rios District, I embrace our small town atmo-sphere and heritage. However, we still need to allow some development. The taxes generated pay for community ser-vices, public safety, maintain our streets, parks, and infrastructure. I will continue to make decisions on development based on what is good for everyone, while respect-ing property rights.

As a businessman, I approach govern-ment with the same principles as running a successful company. Your vote for me will ensure that a strong, levelheaded voice remains on our city council.

Robert Williams, Archi-tect/Business Owner

My decision to run for City Council was made after very careful discern-ment, and if elected, I promise to remember that

I work for the residents of San Juan Capist-rano. I care deeply about this community and want to preserve the town we all love.

I’ve been an architect for 30 years and truly understand how to bring about suit-able development while maintaining and protecting San Juan’s character.

I gained invaluable experience as your Planning Commissioner and worked very hard to make decisions based solely on the needs of San Juan residents and this great town. My belief has and will con-tinue to be based on thoughtful develop-ment that enhances our rural and historic community.

San Juan Capistrano is unlike any other Orange County city. We don’t want devel-opers to dictate what our town needs - we know what we need. As your City Council member, I will never forget this important factor when considering future develop-ment.

I will work to the best of my ability to embrace, protect and enhance our unique character, rural-equestrian culture and

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rich history.My campaign slogan says it best, “I

have the experience you can trust.”

Stephanie Frisch, Independent Insurance Broker

Some of my fellow candidates make promises that are completely unat-tainable and unrealistic

without any real knowledge of the issues. I hope you are able to see through this old campaign tactic of telling people what they want to hear to get votes and saying “no” to everything, regardless of the benefits to our city.

I am a leader who will challenge old ideas, find solutions to problems, listen to your concerns, and actively work on your behalf. I will focus on rebuilding our tax base, reducing congestion on our streets, and making decisions that benefit all residents. I’m not afraid to stand up to the bullies, and will fight to protect your personal property rights.

I’ll work to preserve our sense of community, cultural heritage and open space. The city must continue to support the groups responsible for preserving our historic and cultural heritage. Losing them would mean losing our sense of community. I believe we can have both -- a vibrant town with a rural flavor.

If you want a council member who is honest, truthful, realistic, and will say “yes” to smart changes and solutions that will benefit the resident majority, vote for Frisch. www.StephanieFrisch.com

Kerry Ferguson, Busi-nesswoman/Educator

San Juan residents ex-pect Honesty, Leadership and Fiscal Responsibility from their elected offi-cials. Our current Council

Majority of Larry Kramer, John Taylor, and Sam Allevato have not been honest about our water problems, the impacts of over-sized developments on traffic, water and quality of life or about lawsuit settle-ments. I pledge to tell you the truth!

Our current leaders have failed to put your needs first when making decisions about “open space” and development. They’ve given too much say to develop-ers/special interests. I pledge to serve all residents!

Jan Siegel, Rob Williams and Stepha-nie Frisch say they want to protect the heritage of our city, but they have all said they would allow the Spieker/La-guna Glen project to move forward. Rob Williams said that as an architect, if he were against development, he’d be out of business. Jan Siegel supports both large

developments. My background building successful

retail stores, a wholesale business and as a teacher/program administrator has provided skill sets that will add vision and clarity to our community.

We can do better—I will!

Larry Kramer, Retired Submarine Captain

There is a clear choice this year between those who look back and those who look forward.

While others vote against these basics, I

support the Boys & Girls Club, school crossing guards, a school resource of-ficer, our contract with county sheriff’s department, grants for water, roads and native plant restoration, more accessible and usable open space, gang interven-tion, downtown historic master plan, and participation in outside agencies.

I bring to the table:1. Experience of four productive years

on the City Council 2. Leadership skills developed in the

United States Navy3. Business skills managing civilian

electric power plants for 10 years4. Fair consideration of all sides5. Active participation in the commu-

nity6. Independent fiscal conservative

beliefs7. Experience representing your inter-

ests on many outside agencies.I support the interests of our residents

and business community, make decisions based on proven facts, work to preserve our small town atmosphere, and conduct myself with integrity and transparency.

The choice is yours: stand with me and look forward with energy and optimism or vote for others who miss opportunities while always looking back.

The next four years can be great for San Juan Capistrano if we work together.

Stay with The Dispatch for ongoing coverage of the San Juan Capistrano City Council election.

We’ll be updating election results as they come in Nov. 4 online—at www.twitter.com/capodispatch, www.facebook.com/capodispatch and www.thecapistranodis-patch.com. And in our next issue, pub-lishing Nov. 14, catch a full recap of city, county and state contests.

We also want to hear from you. Tell us what you think about the candidates’ answers by commenting online at www.thecapistranodispatch.com or on our Facebook page.

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Meet the Candidates for State Assembly and Senate RacesOutgoing Supervisor Bates looking to move up to Senate seat, Dana Point Councilman Brough targets Assembly opening

SBY JIM SHILANDER, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

outh County will choose new mem-bers of both the State Senate and State Assembly Nov. 4.

The 36th Senate district has been re-drawn, after formerly being represented by Mark Wyland, who is leaving the legislature.

Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates, who is termed out of her seat, is the Re-publican nominee. She is facing write-in candidate Gary Kephart, a former candi-date in Assembly District 71 in 2010.

Dana Point City Councilman Bill Brough, a Republican, and Irvine college professor and attorney Wendy Gabriella are competing in the 73rd assembly dis-trict, where Diane Harkey is also termed out.

Brough, who formerly worked for Harkey, emerged as the top Republican vote getter from a crowded field during the June 3 primary.

Gabriella was the top overall vote get-ter by 55 votes, but was the only Demo-crat in the open primary. Their ballot statements are below:

Wendy GabriellaWendy Gabriella is a

teacher, civil attorney, and 25 year resident of South Orange County.

As a career educator, she has witnessed how

access to education provides a skilled workforce, contributes to job creation, and economic development.

Wendy Gabriella has worked tirelessly in the classroom for 30 years to promote academic excellence and prepare the next generation for the new economy.

Wendy Gabriella is a strong advocate for transparency in decision making at all levels of government.

As a civil attorney, Wendy specializes in the California Open Meeting Act and the First Amendment.

She believes that our Legislators should do more to foster open and trans-parent government at the state level.

If elected, Wendy Gabriella’s priorities will be: rebuilding a first rate education system, increasing access to afford-able higher education, protecting South

County’s taxpayers by enforcing fiscal accountability, job creation, and preserv-ing our valuable coastline.

Wendy Gabriella believes it’s time for South Orange County to send a career educator, not a career politician, to Sacra-mento.

Bill Brough Thank you for your vote

of confidence in June. My wife and I know that the futures of all our children and grandchildren depend on the decisions made by

legislators today. With that in mind, I am running for

State Assembly to promote a better tomorrow for all our families.

In the competition for businesses and jobs, California is losing to other states.

This is unacceptable and has to change.

As your assemblyman, I will fight to create a more competitive economic environment by simplifying our business, regulatory, and tax codes.

The Legislature ought to require from itself and from regulatory agencies a robust cost benefit analysis using recog-nized economic standards before impos-ing new costs on our businesses.

California has one of the nation’s high-est tax rates and, yet, amongst the largest government debts.

We should demand that our govern-ment live within its means and learn to focus on necessities, including academi-cally excellent schools, strong public safety and an efficient infrastructure for transportation, energy and water.

Sacramento needs problem solvers. On city council, I moved projects that had been stalled for years. We built public/private partnerships that improved our business infrastructure without increas-ing taxes.

It is time that we demand performance from our lawmakers.

That is why I support the law that with-holds legislators’ pay unless the budget is on-time and balanced.

Working together, we can bring back the gold to California. I would be honored to have your vote.

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Supervisor Candidates Look for South County VotesMing, Bartlett, running to replace termed-out Bates

IBY ANDREA SWAYNE, THE CAPISTRANO DISPATCH

n the race for Orange County Fifth District Supervisor, Dana Point’s Mayor Lisa Bartlett and Laguna

Niguel City Councilman Robert Ming are looking to replace Supervisor Pat Bates, who is terming out and making a run for the State Senate 36th District seat.

Both Ming and Bartlett are terming out of their city council seats after having served two consecutive four-year terms in their respective cities.

The county supervisor race is a top-two election format where, until the June 3 pri-mary, four were in the running. Ming and Bartlett won their spots on the Nov. 4 bal-lot by beating Mission Viejo Councilman Frank Ury and county Deputy District Attorney Joe Williams.

The Fifth District includes the cities of San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano along with nine other south Orange County cities and a handful of unincorporated areas. Each of the county’s five districts elects one board member to a four-year term.

Ming and Bartlett were asked to

answer the question: Why should

voters choose you to represent

them as Fifth District Supervisor?

Their answers are presented below in ballot order.

Lisa Bartlett

I am proudly serving as Mayor of Dana Point and know firsthand what it takes to lead as an elected official. Under my leader-ship on the Dana Point City Council we paid off our unfunded pension liability,

achieve a balanced budget every year, maintain significant cash reserves and keep our city debt free. I created and imple-mented economic development programs for our businesses that also protected the taxpayers. In 2009, I created the Contract Cities Working Group to work directly with the Sheriff and 5th District Supervisor to ensure we have the very best program for community based policing resulting in a high level of public safety and efficiencies in resources and cost.

People often ask why I want to run for Orange County Supervisor. Simply stated, I’m a longtime resident of Orange County so I have a vested interest. I grew up here and built my life here. I want to ensure that we enhance and protect our quality of life for all of us now and for future genera-tions.

I will be the fiscal watchdog at the county and make government run more efficiently. My degrees in finance and busi-ness plus my 15-plus years as a corporate executive and my tenure in regional board leadership positions, make me uniquely qualified to govern Orange County, the fifth largest county in America.

This race comes down to leadership and governance philosophy. I have served in leadership positions on several significant regional boards; my opponent has not. I have the track record and the leadership skills to work collaboratively with others to work through tough issues and achieve good policy solutions.

I am honored to have the endorsement of Congressman Darrell Issa, Marion Bergeson, former Secretary of Education and former O.C. Supervisor, as well as the majority of city elected officials in seven of the 11 cities in the 5th District. I am also proud to be endorsed by law enforcement and will work to keep our communities safe.

I would be honored to serve as your Or-ange County Supervisor of the 5th District and respectfully ask for your vote.

www.LisaForSupervisor.com

Robert Ming

My wife Susie and I were at the Harbor a few weeks ago. Watching the ships during dinner at the Wind & Sea reminded me how truly blessed we are to live here, and how important this Supervisorial race is

for Dana Point. As a two time Mayor of Laguna Niguel

and an 8-year councilmember, I know what it means to do good government, and I know that I can’t serve you well unless I listen to you. That is exactly what I’ve been doing and though the issues are a little different, the process of getting to know people is the same.

Many people want to know how I’m(Cont. on page 17)

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Supervisor Candidates(Cont. from page 16)

different than my opponent. So, I’ve selected a few examples of things she has done that I would have done differently.

I wouldn’t have voted for Dana Point’s plastic bag ban. It isn’t that I care less about the environment, but I believe there are better ways to solve the problem. Fully biodegradable single use bags are already available. Good education helps people learn to make smart choices. The ban misses opportunities to teach and im-prove ourselves. We should have worked together to solve the problem without restricting people’s freedoms.

I also wouldn’t have voted for the Lan-tern District plan and then voted against funding it. As elected officials, we need to communicate clearly and not send mixed

CUSD Candidates on Why They Should Get your VoteEllen Addonizio and Gila Jones competing for seat on board of trustees

IBY ANDREA SWAYNE, THE CAPISTRNAO DISPATCH

n this election, only a small portion of the city will be voting for candidates running for Capistrano Unified School

District Board. Three seats are up for election—Trust-

ee Areas 4, 6 and 7—but San Juan Capist-rano voters will only be choosing between Area 6 candidates.

In Area 6, incumbent Ellen Addonizio is running against Gila Jones.

Addonizio and Jones answered the question: Why should San Juan Capistrano citizens cast a vote for you?

Their answers are below, presented unedited and in ballot order.

Ellen AddonizioI have worked to bring

increased accountability to the school board for eight years. I will continue to demand the very best education for our students

and innovation in our schools to benefit the students.

As a certified public accountant, I bring my 30 years of audit, forensic accounting and tax service experience to the school board. My understanding of long-range budgeting and cost accounting ensure that scarce education dollars actually benefit our children.

On the school board, I’ve consistently voted to:

• Promote the highest possible academ-ic achievement - I support teaching above the federally mandated minimum.

• Create school choice options for fami-lies - I voted to approve our charter schools and online schools.

• Reduce taxes - I worked with taxpayers to end the over taxation of Mello-Roos and supported refinancing bonds to lowered taxes throughout the school district.

• Make students our top priority in school district policy.

• Eliminate furlough days that short-changed students.

• Reduce class sizes.• Open our government process so the

public can fully participate in our public schools.

I led the action and votes to:• Put board meeting agendas and bud-

gets on the Internet.• Create an audio record of school board

meetings.• End a board policy that limited speak-

ers who address the school board to one time per year.

• End the board policy that required speakers to identify the school their chil-

dren attend.As your school board representative, I

voted against:• Pay increases to our employees while

students were on reduced schedules.• Offering retiring teachers a bonus that

was funded by increasing class size.With your vote, I’ll continue working

tirelessly to bring positive change and in-creased accountability to CUSD, to hold the line in favor of our students – and always be accessible to you.

I respectfully ask for your vote on No-vember 4.

www.addonizio4cusd.com

Gila JonesEvery school district

pushes for strong SAT/ACT scores and high percent-ages of college-bound students, but what about the Capistrano Unified gradu-

ates who choose not to go to college?We must improve and expand our voca-

tional education programs to prepare these students for entry-level jobs that can lead to well-paying professions. Our graduates who don’t choose college need training in fields in which they can start down a path toward earning enough to support themselves, and eventually to support a family and buy a home in South Orange County.

Furthermore, we must be sure to align these programs with local business and industry needs. According to the Orange County Business Council’s 2014-15 Work-force Indicators Report, the county’s top job-creating sectors include health care and construction. Although our District currently provides vocational classes in the health sciences, we have no offerings that can lead to jobs in construction. We need vocational courses that serve our students while also answering the needs of local industry.

Coursework for college-bound stu-dents must also be aligned with current and projected economic growth. Orange County is home to many technology-based businesses that have created a demand for workers with 2-year, 4-year, and graduate-level degrees, and our schools must respond to that demand so these growing and profitable technology companies are motivated to maintain their operations in Orange County. Based on my own career in high-tech business in Orange County, I believe we can accomplish this most effectively by offering our college-bound students challenging STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) classes in addition to rigorous courses in

written communication. As a CUSD trustee, I will dedicate myself

to ensuring that all our graduates are pre-pared to succeed in college, the workplace,

messages. Instead, be clear, keep taxes and regulations low, and provide an excel-lent level of services. That’s what we’ve done in Laguna Niguel. That’s what I will do at the county.

What it really boils down to is leader-ship. For the Harbor Revitalization Plan to become a reality, it will take a strong Su-pervisor committed to seeing it through. That’s what I’ll do, while focusing on the interests of boaters, harbor merchants and the recreational public users.

Fiscally responsible common sense leadership requires a real willingness to explore new ways of doing things and working together to solve problems. That’s what I plan to deliver. I hope you will grant me the opportunity to serve.

www.RobertMing.com

or both. For more about my background and qualifications, visit www.gilajones.org.

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