CYPRESS : 6 Candidates Vie for 3 Council Seats

In what may be the quietest election in several years, six candidates are vying for three seats on the City Council in the Nov. 6 election.

Now that major development projects, including the Los Alamitos Race Course, have been put to rest, City Hall has settled down into its business-as-usual mode, leaving candidates searching for issues.

Five challengers and one incumbent are squaring off in the election. Incumbent Margaret Arnold decided not to enter the race because of personal reasons and incumbent John Kanel is prohibited from running because of a two-term limit.

All the candidates are campaigning on a relatively similar slate of issues, including promoting future development, keeping gangs at bay and finding affordable housing for senior citizens. Incumbent Walter Bowman, who is facing his first test at the polls after winning a council seat by court order, would like the council to review a controversial plan established in the Cypress Business Park, where the Transportation Management Assn. forces all businesses to join a car-pool program regardless of size.

“Many of the smaller businesses feel they are bearing the brunt of this thing,” Bowman said.

Bowman and candidates Richard Partin and John Standiford also suggest looking into designating main thoroughfares as “super streets.”

“Having Katella Avenue and Valley View Street dedicated as super streets needs to be pursued,” Partin said.

Standiford, a former staff aide for state Sen. Cecil N. Green, emphasizes cooperation between different governments. “You have to be able to deal with other levels of government,” he said.

Charles Hicks, a member of the Anaheim Union High School District, would like the city to work with other communities to synchronize traffic signals and possibly build more ramps to the San Gabriel River Freeway.

The remaining candidates are Joyce Nicholson and Judith Pineda.

Nicholson, who is serving as president of Concerned Citizens of Cypress, a powerful residents’ group that helped shape the development of Los Alamitos Race Course, wants the council to curb density. She also opposes opening up Holder and Denni streets, two proposals that have come up in the past. Judith Pineda, a nurse, would like to increase the number of bus routes in the city.

Voters also will decide on Measures X and Y, which deal with the reinstatement of the city Planning Commission.

CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL

These are the candidates running for three seats on the Cypress City Council in the Nov. 6 election. Incumbent Margaret Arnold is not seeking reelection, and incumbent John Kanel cannot run because of a two-term limit.

Walter Bowman

Age: 52

Occupation: Incumbent; businessman

Background: Appointed to council in July, 1989; has bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Cal State Long Beach; member of the Cypress Chamber of Commerce; director of the Cypress Boys and Girls Club.

Issues: Provide affordable housing for senior citizens; review traffic-management plan established in the Cypress Business Park; continue educating children about gangs. Favors re-establishment of the Planning Commission.

Charles Hicks

Age: 39

Occupation: Businessman

Background: Member of the Anaheim Union High School District since February, 1989; member of the city Traffic Advisory Committee; member of the Rotary Club.

Issues: Help senior citizens find affordable housing; improve traffic management by synchronizing traffic signals and working with surrounding cities; provide more police support in local schools to help fight gangs and drugs. Opposes re-establishment of the Planning Commission.

Joyce Nicholson

Age: 51

Occupation: Real estate agent

Background: President of Concerned Citizens of Cypress; president of local Board of Realtors; former president of the Cypress Citizens Assn.; member of Soroptimist International of Cypress.

Issues: Keep density down; work on traffic problems. Opposes opening up Denni and Holder streets; opposes re-establishment of the Planning Commission.

Richard Partin

Age: 52

Occupation: Engineer

Background: Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Cal State Long Beach; served as councilman from 1981-86; unsuccessful in reelection bids in 1986 and 1988; former planning commissioner; local memberships include Cypress Boys and Girls Club, Friends of Cypress Recreation and Parks and College Park Homeowners Assn.

Issues: Complete senior housing projects; broaden scope of cultural arts in the city; increase size of city’s police patrol; solve traffic by designating Katella Avenue and Valley View Street as super streets.

Judith Pineda

Age: 55

Occupation: Nurse

Background: Member of the Women’s Club of Cypress; past PTA president

Issues: Get more buses in the city; clean up graffiti; make City Council meetings shorter; promote education.

John Standiford

Age: 25

Occupation: Public relations

Background: Former chief of staff to state Sen. Cecil N. Green; master’s degree from UC Irvine; member of the Kiwanis Club.

Issues: Interact with other levels of government to solve problems; continue redevelopment projects; rehabilitate businesses and homes. Opposes re-establishment of the Planning Commission.