La Habra City Council Candidates

Twelve people are running at large for three seats on the La Habra City Council in the Nov. 3 election. The deadline to register to vote is Monday. To register, pick up a form at any post office, library or city hall. For more information, call the county registrar of voters at (714) 567-7600.

Steven C. Anderson

Age: 41.

Occupation: Water engineering inspection supervisor.

Background: Twenty-five-year resident; nine-year employee of city of Anaheim; chairman of civic action committee of Residents Against Gang Existence; Community Services Commission 1987-91.

Issues: Supports term limits; says city should pursue reparation from Los Angeles County for increased noise along Harbor Boulevard; opposes proposed location for Mary’s Home but might support it elsewhere; advocates new fees before services are cut.

Rose M. Espinoza

Age: 40.

Occupation: Computer design drafter.

Background: Lifelong resident; started neighborhood English tutoring center in her garage.

Issues: Supports term limits; says Harbor Boulevard noise problem should be solved with city and homeowner money; opposes current proposed location of Mary’s Home, would consider it elsewhere in city; would cut city salaries and services before raising fees or taxes.

James Flora

Age: 66.

Occupation: Mayor, retired businessman.

Background: Eight-year member of City Council; 35 years of employment with Southern California Edison Co.; 13-year member of Planning Commission.

Issues: Would consider term limits if it is determined to be legal; has supported spending city money on sound studies at Harbor Boulevard; declined comment on Mary’s Home because of position on Planning Commission; would seek to attract new business; opposes fee increases.

Juan M. Garcia

Age: 40.

Occupation: Financial accountant.

Background: Incumbent and city councilman since 1991; 36-year resident; co-chairman of Residents Against Gang Existence.

Issues: Supports term limits; supports city involvement in fighting Harbor Boulevard noise, but unsure about spending city money; declined comment on creation of Mary’s Home because of pending vote; would consider privatizing some city services before raising fees or taxes.

Peter Gomez

Age: 25.

Occupation: Banking customer service representative.

Background: Twenty-five-year resident; 1992 UCLA graduate, bachelor’s degree in political science, history.

Issues: Opposes term limits; supports spending city money to lessen noise problem on Harbor Boulevard; supports Mary’s Home in proposed location; would seek to reduce city expenditures before raising fees, taxes.

Joan A. Johnson

Age: 56.

Occupation: Planning commissioner and high school guidance counselor.

Background: Community Services commissioner for six years; PTA president; six-year Meals on Wheels volunteer; chairman of Planning Commission.

Issues: Opposes term limits; supports joint project of city and residents to abate noise on Harbor; would cut services other than police, fire and paramedics before raising fees.

Dan D. Kushmak

Age: 57.

Occupation: Engineer.

Background: Four years as commissioner for Boy Scouts.

Issues: Opposes term limits; thinks Los Angeles County should pay for noise abatement along Harbor Boulevard; had no comment on Mary’s Home; would seek to bring new business to increase city revenues.

Marian R. Lemus

Could not be reached. Richard (Louie) Lewis

Withdrawn from race. Teresa A. Scarpinato

Age: 33.

Occupation: Director of medical staffing.

Background: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Phoenix; speaks at Orange County high schools for Preparing Youths for Industry program; member of Soroptimists Club.

Issues: Supports term limits; opposes spending city money on Harbor Boulevard noise problem; supports proposed location for Mary’s Home; would raise fees before cutting services.

Paul G. Thornburg

Age: 50.

Occupation: Businessman.

Background: Currently in eighth year on Planning Commission; former president of Orange County chapter, Knights of Columbus; 26-year resident.

Issues: Opposes term limits; opposes spending city money on Harbor Boulevard noise abatement; supports proposed location of Mary’s Home; would encourage shopping locally to improve local business, city revenues.

Mitchell T. Tracy

Age: 29.

Occupation: Employment counselor.

Background: Has counseled developmentally disabled adults since March 1992; founded limousine service that operated 1986-90; coached high school basketball 1983-86.

Issues: Opposes term limits; supports joint city and homeowner spending for noise abatement; does not support proposed location of Mary’s Home; would cut City Council pay; would seek to reduce supply costs to control budget.

Steven D. Wilder

Age: 33.

Occupation: Financial adviser.

Background: Twelve-year resident; student of public policy and administration at Cal State Long Beach.

Issues: Strongly supports term limits; supports spending city money on mitigating Harbor Boulevard noise problem; opposes proposed location of Mary’s Home, might support it elsewhere in city; would seek to privatize city services to save money.