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Council Candidates Make Final Pitch
Seven hopefuls on why they should help lead the city for four years BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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he candidates for San Clemente City Council were asked five questions about issues facing the city during the upcoming term. This week marks the final question. Candidate Fred Olsen withdrew his candidacy on Aug. 20 but rejoined the race last week. He was not asked previous questions because he was not actively campaigning, but was given an opportunity to answer this week’s. The candidates’ statements are presented unedited and in the order they will appear on the ballot.
This week’s question: Why should voters choose you to help guide San Clemente for the next four years? Mikii Rathmann We live in exciting times that require local leaders who make conscientious decisions for today as well as for future generations. My deepening roots in San Clemente provide me a long-term perspective on the challenges we currently face. It’s vital that we manage growth, while preserving the qualities that make San Clemente unique. I believe it is possible to foster progress, while protecting the village character that brought many of us here and keeps visitors returning to support our local economy. A Vote For Me Is a Vote For: • Fresh ideas and effective solutions, guaranteeing our city continues to support opportunities for local businesses to flourish. • Ensuring safe neighborhoods for our families, while preserving San Clemente’s status as one of the 100 safest cities in America. • Vigilance in monitoring the decommissioning of SONGS and the changes at our local hospital. • Strong stewardship for our cherished coastal resources. • Managing responsible growth as we complete the I-5 widening, Pico expansion, the outlets, and Marblehead Coastal. My steadfast commitment to serve the people of San Clemente makes me especially qualified to earn your vote. You will be pleased knowing that you’ve elected an eager and enthusiastic representative, your voice in the government of San Clemente. San Clemente Times October 23-29, 2014
Fred Olsen My family and I are proud to live in San Clemente. I am a retired business executive of a Fortune 500 company with vast experience in operations and marketing. My experience will help lead our cities financial challenges using a business approach. This means taking a conservative approach and not balancing our budget on the back of our preserved ‘investment fund’. Our economic revenue zones (Golf Course, Talega Sports Complex) need to become self-sustaining. The Outlet Mall is a down trending business model. Our downtown retail stores are in jeopardy of losing 20% – 25% in sales and profit, which no one is addressing. Budgeting properly the first time is key in solving the current over spending on our Ole Hanson renovation, beach restrooms and parking improvements. Our future can be bright, but an executive level business approach is paramount. I bring the experience to correct the aforementioned. I can help shape our operations, which will allow our city and businesses to grow while maintaining our first rate beaches, surfing and preserve our heritage. Ricardo “Rick” Nicol Voters are going to choose the best qualified and most capable candidates to serve San Clemente. I’m a lifelong San Clemente local, retired Army Colonel and Afghanistan veteran. I’m an experienced lawyer and run my own firm. As an old surfer I stand for improved beach access, sand replenishment, and preserving ocean views and open space. I will never support selling city-owned beachfront to big developers. I will vigorously support getting rid of the nuclear waste dump at San Onofre. I am endorsed by the Orange County League of Conservation Voters. I will work hard to improve public transportation, traffic flow, and parking throughout the city. I will make re-opening the Ole Hanson pool and restoring the Miramar theater a top priority. I oppose the reduction of police services funding in the face of growing public safety challenges. I oppose closing our hospital emergency room. I believe in “user-friendly” city government, enabling residents and businesses to move forward with good projects. I am a fiscal conserva-
tive, and I will not waste your tax dollars. I stand for San Clemente—qualified, capable, and ready to serve.
at www.loridonchak.com. I enthusiastically ask for your vote on November 4.
Tim Brown It has been a great honor to serve as a member of Council and as Mayor since being elected in 2010, thank you for your support. I have worked hard to understand the issues, be pragmatic in my decision-making and creative in finding solutions—and as a City Council, we have been successful. San Clemente is well positioned for the future with a new General Plan, excellent financial health and a series of new infrastructure projects that will transform how we live, work and play. Even with this bright future, we still need city leaders who are prepared to serve on Council, think clearly and running for the right reasons; and this is why I am running for re-election and again ask for your vote. I love life in San Clemente, I love that I get to raise my family here, and I hope I get to spend the rest of my life enjoying this unique and beautiful place. I promise I will do all I can to keep its charm and small town feel intact while we move forward into the future.
Jim Dahl There are important issues arising in San Clemente that need experienced council action. The impending closure of our hospital and emergency room is a serious problem. My career as a Fire Captain/ EMT and as your former Mayor make me uniquely qualified to find the best solutions. I am thoroughly familiar with our sand replenishment project and have worked hard in Washington, DC to bring back our sandy beaches. I will be engaged in the revitalization of North Beach to make it a vibrant coastal entertainment destination we can all enjoy. I back incentives in the General Plan to improve South El Camino Real to Trestles. As your councilman I will continue to support historical preservation and the downtown, our economy and jobs, traffic management, recreation and sports for our children and young adults. I am an independent thinker and am not beholden to the political machine backing another candidate. For more information: www. JimDahlCityCouncil.com.
Lori Donchak Together, we’ve accomplished a lot this last term. We weathered the recession and preserved San Clemente’s AAA bond rating. We completed the General Plan. We’re voted one of the 100 safest U.S. cities. What a positive reflection on our values and community involvement. With your support, I’m honored to represent you again. My priorities: • Traffic Safety: I’ll re-establish the Traffic Taskforce. I’ll be a voice with OCTA through the freeway and La Pata construction. • AAA Financial Stability. I’ll continue to be financially conservative with our city dollars. You can trust me to manage the budget with care. • Jobs. San Clemente residents want to work where we live. I’ll be an advocate for small business owners and others seeking to create jobs in our community. • First-Rate Beaches. New restrooms and the Ole Hanson Beach Club top my list. • Communication: I started the Mayor’s Blog and pride myself as being accessible and responsive. I’ll continue to be a good communicator. You can reach me anytime
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Kathy Ward I am the candidate that will best represent the residents’ vision of this city—a California beach town with a high quality of life—a quality that I want to keep. I have attended focus workshops and GPAC meetings since the inception of work on the general plan. Now I am one of your planning commissioners. I have the knowledge and desire to lead our city towards the direction of our new general plan. Our city is built. What we do know is focus on the older sections of our town and make them better, with a renewed focus on quality of life, better amenities, and safety for pedestrians. I am promising to renew El Camino Real, and I look forward to finally focusing on North Beach, which is our greatest opportunity to revitalize our city. These are not campaign promises, but promises I will keep. ••• All the candidate answers can be found at www.sanclementetimes.com. www.sanclementetimes.com
Supervisor Candidates Look for South County Votes
Propositions Cover Diverse Issues
Ming, Bartlett, running to replace termed-out Bates
Water bond, sentencing and malpractice limit amongst the choices being made by voters
BY ANDREA SWAYNE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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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 fouryear terms in their respective cities. The county supervisor race is a top-two election format where, until the June 3 primary, four were in the running. Ming and Bartlett won their spots on the Nov. 4 ballot 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 leadership 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 implemented 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 generations. I will be the fiscal watchdog at the county and make government run more efficiently. My degrees in finance and business 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 San Clemente Times October 23-29, 2014
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 Orange 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 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 improve ourselves. We should have worked together to solve the problem without restricting people’s freedoms. I also wouldn’t have voted for the Lantern District plan and then voted against funding it. As elected officials, we need to communicate clearly and not send mixed messages. Instead, be clear, keep taxes and regulations low, and provide an excellent 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 leadership. For the Harbor Revitalization Plan to become a reality, it will take a strong Supervisor 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 Page 16
BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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alifornia voters usually see a number of state measures and propositions at every election and 2014 is no different. This year’s statewide measures include proposals effecting medical malpractice law, potential expansion of gambling and drug sentencing, as well as state initiatives aiming to rebuild California’s water infrastructure and a potential state Constitutional amendment that would mandate the state paying into a budget stabilization account. PROPOSITION 1 With the state in the midst of a drought, this proposal calls for more than $7 billion in water infrastructure projects through bonds, as well as watershed protections. The measure is backed by both the state Republican and Democratic parties after being delayed by two election cycles (a water bond was supposed to go before voters in 2010 and 2012). Opponents say the measure focuses too much on dam building rather than local infrastructure. PROPOSITION 2 Creates a “rainy day fund” for the state during budgeting and requires an annual transfer of funds from the state’s general fund into the account to avoid or lessen the impact of future budget crises. Local school districts would not receive the same levels of funding they currently do from the state. PROPOSITION 45 Would give the state’s Insurance Commissioner authority to reject changes to health insurance company rates, though it exempts large group insurance plans. The decision would be subject to judicial review. Opponents say this vests too much authority in the office. PROPOSITION 46 Increases the state’s medical malpractice pain and suffering cap from $250,000 to more than $1 million and requires random drug and alcohol screenings of doctors, with positive tests reported to the state medical board. It would also create a statewide prescription database. Proponents argue that the state has not raised the malpractice cap since the 1970s. Opponents argue the move could drive doctors from the state due to higher costs and that random screenings of doctors would not provide protection for patients. PROPOSITION 47 Changes certain nonviolent drug and property felony offenses to misdemeanors unless the offender had previous violent offenses and would allow for the resentencing of those currently in prison. A “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools” fund would be created with savings from the implementation. PROPOSITION 48 Allows for agreements with two Native American tribes to build and operate a casino in the Central Valley, off of tribal reservations. www.sanclementetimes.com
Meet the Candidates for State Assembly and Senate Races
Outgoing Supervisor Bates looking to move up to Senate seat, Dana Point Councilman Brough targets Assembly opening BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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outh County will choose new members of both the State Senate and State Assembly Nov. 4. The 36th Senate district has been redrawn, 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 Republican nominee. She is facing write-in candidate Gary Kephart, a former candidate 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 district, 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 getter by 55 votes, but was the only Democrat in the open primary. Their ballot statements are below: Wendy Gabriella Wendy 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 transparent government at the state level. If elected, Wendy Gabriella’s priorities will be: rebuilding a first rate education system, increasing access to affordable higher education, protecting South Page 17
County’s taxpayers by enforcing fiscal accountability, job creation, and preserving our valuable coastline. Wendy Gabriella believes it’s time for South Orange County to send a career educator, not a career politician, to Sacramento. 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 recognized economic standards before imposing new costs on our businesses. California has one of the nation’s highest tax rates and, yet, amongst the largest government debts. We should demand that our government live within its means and learn to focus on necessities, including academically 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 increasing taxes. It is time that we demand performance from our lawmakers. That is why I support the law that withholds 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. www.sanclementetimes.com
Three Vie for Two Openings Talegans choosing Santa Margarita water district candidates BY JIM SHILANDER, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES
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esidents of the Talega area will be selecting two members of the Santa Margarita Water District board Nov. 4. The development is located entirely within the district’s boundaries. Two incumbents, Saundra Frances Jacobs, and Justin McClusker, who was appointed in 2013, are running for full terms. Stanislaw Dziecielski is also running for a seat. The following are the candidates’ ballot statements, presented unedited. Saundra Frances Jacobs, Environmental Planner As President of your Board of Directors, my leadership in the water industry has helped guide Santa Margarita Water District to ensure we have safe, reliable and affordable drinking water resources. My 18 year tenure on the board has given me the opportunity to help direct policies leading to new and innovative ideas for water supply, reliability and conservation. I am passionate about the future of water in California and confident that I can meet the challenges that lie ahead. Through effective leadership, I have guided SMWD to reduce our dependence on imported water supplies by supporting policies that implement recycled water for irrigation needs, capture stormwater runoff for treatment and reuse, invest in emergency water storage and groundwater
sources, and encourage conservation and water use efficiency through customer incentives and rebates. We have increased critical water storage from 86,000,000 gallons in 1999 to over 338,000,000 gallons in 2014 to meet the demands of our customers. All while implementing policy to ensure that our water supplies are reliable in times of drought, available to fight fires, are safe from natural disasters and terrorism, and affordable. Now more than ever, our community needs leaders who have a demonstrated commitment to serving the public, have a strong sense of responsibility for protection of the environment, are good stewards of our creeks and beaches, and have a vision to plan for the future. I have demonstrated my commitment as a Director, and as an environmental planner with 28 years of experience. My strong commitment to serving the community, and tenure as a public official ensures that I am able to plan and implement sound environmental, water and governmental policy. Thank you very much for your continued support. Please Re-Elect Saundra Frances Jacobs, Director, Santa Margarita Water District on November 4th. Justin McCusker, Director, Santa Margarita Water District It is an honor and great responsibility to be your current representative on the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) Board of Directors. Below I set forth why I respectfully request your vote to continue representing you at this critical time. As you know, all the water we use in our area is imported into Orange County, purified in Yorba Linda and piped down to us. This is why the current drought is a serious concern. As your representative, I will continue to support increased local
water storage facilities, so we minimize the crisis now and in the future. Currently, the Santa Margarita Water District is constructing new reservoir storage in the east Ortega Valley and we have other storage facilities planned. SMWD is on the right track to deliver these important projects with its ‘AA+’ bond rating from Fitch. It takes planning and leadership to move major projects forward, projects essential to our high-quality of life in South County. I am committed to accomplish this on your behalf. As a parent of three school-aged children and business executive, I am committed to ensuring prudent use of your money and delivering safe, dependable, high quality water to your home at a reasonable rate. With nearly two decades as a senior manager in both private industry and the public sector, I understand how to make sure that government works in service of the people. To that end, during my tenure on the Board, SMWD was awarded the Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the California Special Districts Association. My wife Shelly and I love this area and have been homeowners in the District, first in Mission Viejo and now RSM, for over 10 years. We feel it is important to be involved in the community, Shelly is a local public school teacher in Las Flores and I have been honored to serve as your Orange County Parks Commissioner since 2010 and elected by my colleagues as Chairman in 2013 and 2014. Other community involvement includes, ViceChairman of the fiscally conservative Orange County Taxpayers Association, Orange County’s most respected voice on behalf of the taxpayer, former Chairman’s designee on the Board of Directors for the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce and professor at both Saddleback College and CSUF. Endorsements for my election include
State and Federal Positions Up for Vote Brown, Issa looking for reelection to offices
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tate voters will not have the opportunity to vote for President or Senate this year, but they will have the opportunity to vote for the state’s highest offices, and South County voters will again have the opportunity to vote in the 49th Congressional District race. Gov. Jerry Brown is running for a second term, for a second time, after first serving as the state’s top executive from 1975 to 1983 and being elected for a third, non-consecutive, term in 2010. He is opposed by Neel Kashkari, a former Treasury Department official best known for running the Troubled Asset Relief San Clemente Times October 23-29, 2014
Program in 2008 and 2009, before taking a position at Pimco. He left in 2013 to pursue the governor’s office. Voters are also choosing Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Controller, Insurance Commissioner and Superintendent of Public Instruction. Current State Assemblywoman Diane Harkey of Dana Point is also running for a seat on the state board of equalization against Democrat Nader Shahatit in the third district. That board is charged with administering all tax and fee collection in the state and is divided into four districts
statewide, and the addition of the state controller. All of Orange, Imperial, Riverside and San Diego counties and a portion of San Bernardino county are located within the third district. Republican Congressman Darrell Issa is running for reelection against Democrat David Peiser. Issa is the Chairman of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee. Peiser is a local business owner and 25-year resident of the district. South Orange County joined Issa’s district in 2012 after previously being represented by Ken Calvert.
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our State Senator Mimi Walters and County Supervisor Pat Bates. Please vote for Justin McCusker for Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors. Stanislaw Dziecielski, Electrical Instrumentation Technician NO My name is Stanislaw PHOTO Dziecielski. I have twentysix years experience in the water and wastewater industry. My goal as an elected official is to do exactly what I have done as a public servant which is to put the customer first. In my opinion the needs to the public are not being met which is why I want to devote my retirement time to focus on community needs and not special interests. A number of customers are experiencing copper pipe leaks and yet the District refuses to acknowledge the problem. As an elected official I would request studies to determine what is causing the pipe leaks and how we can assist customers. The next way I will serve the customers is to keep the water rates down. Although the District passes the costs of the increases from higher imported water costs it is my opinion that we are not fully utilizing local supplies, such as ocean desalination, to hedge against increased costs in the future. From my experience the District is focused more on the developing communities of South Orange County and not you, which is what I want to change. Vote for me to keep your interests first! ••• Some San Clemente voters also are choosing candidates in the South Coast Water District. Information on those candidates can be found at www.sanclementetimes.com.
For complete coverage on election night, stay tuned to www.sanclementetimes.com, as well as our Facebook page and Twitter feed (@S_C_Times). We will be updating throughout the night as results come in and getting reactions from the candidates. The website also has a section devoted to 2014 election coverage, so voters will be able to find all the information they need on the candidates’ positions. www.sanclementetimes.com