Five Vie for Two Council Seats

Just months after casting ballots in a recall election, voters will be going to the polls again to elect two City Council members.

Of the two seats open on the five-member council, one is now held by William L. Ossenmacher, who is seeking reelection. The other seat is that of Councilwoman Judy Curreri, who is stepping down after having served since the city was incorporated in 1989.

The other candidates are Ruby L. Netzley, Robert W. Moore, Lynn Dawson and Kendall Baldwin Flint.

The seats held by Mayor Karen Lloreda, Councilman Harold Kaufman and Councilwoman Toni Gallagher are not open this year.

Council candidates said one of their top priorities is to bring harmony to the group so that the five members can focus on city issues.

In the last year, the council has wrestled with a failed grass-roots campaign in March to recall Lloreda and Kaufman over a development project and other issues; and questions about whether Gallagher had forfeited her seat by missing several meetings after being injured in a traffic accident.

The council also split over a proposal to buy the building that houses City Hall and the issue of whether to privatize the Orange County Marine Institute.

With Curreri’s upcoming departure, the balance of power on the council could shift. She, Lloreda and Kaufman often took similar positions, with Ossenmacher and Gallagher on the other side of the issues.

For the second time in four years, the electorate will vote on term limits for elected officials. A ballot proposal would limit council members to two consecutive four-year terms but allow them the return to office after a two-year hiatus.

In 1993, voters overwhelmingly approved term limits, but the measure was later invalidated by a state court ruling. A new state law that took effect this year authorizes local governments to adopt term limits.

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Dana Point Council Candidates

Five candidates are running for two open seats on the Dana Point City Council. A quick glance at the five:

Lynn Dawson

Age: 58

Occupation: Planning Commission member for seven years

Background: Real estate agent; former community college educator

Major issue: Keep Dana Point’s small-town atmosphere and enact responsible government spending that reflects the will of the residents

Kendall Baldwin Flint

Age: 34

Occupation: Businesswoman; owns and operates own film and video production company

Background: Business owner; Chamber of Commerce member; former CNN journalist

Major issue: Promote responsible economic development to increase sales tax revenue for the city

Robert W. Moore

Age: 72

Occupation: Retired businessman

Background: Current director of the South Coast Water District; co-founder of Taxpayers for Local Control; member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Dana Point chapter; served on executive committee of Dana Point Citizens for Incorporation.

Major issue: Believes in property rights and wants to make better use of how the city spends its tax dollars

Ruby L. Netzley

Age: 72

Occupation: Retired businesswoman

Background: 18 years experience in business and financial management; member of Village at Dana Point homeowners board

Major issue: Supports open space and environment and wants to bring about sound financial management to the City Council

William L. Ossenmacher

Age: 38

Occupation: Marketing consultant

Background: Current councilman; former Dana Point Planning Commissioner and Architectural Review Committee member

Major issue: Wants to make improvements in Lantern Village and work to maximize the city’s revenue base and create a more fiscally responsible government

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by KIMBERLY BROWER / For The Times