SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : 5 Named to Group for Open Space Bond
A former mayor and four city commissioners have been named to a residents’ committee lobbying to preserve open space through a general obligation bond scheduled for the April ballot.
Roy Byrnes, who served as mayor from 1973-75, will head fund raising for San Juan Citizens for Open Space.
Joining Byrnes on a steering committee for the group are Planning Commissioners Gil Jones and Wyatt Hart, and Parks and Recreation Commissioners Terry Dorse and Pauline Leonard. Also serving on the committee are community activists Al Aarps, Wilson Buckner, Mike Darnold, local Little League president Vickee Donoho, Stan Holditch and Gail Prothero. Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Marlene Draper is chairwoman of the grass-roots organization.
The $21-million general obligation bond would be used to buy 120 acres of farmland in the north end of the city. Officials envision the land as a public recreation area that would include orange groves, a community center, bicycle trails and playing fields.
The referendum, which will cost the city $23,000, is scheduled for the April 10 ballot. The measure needs a two-thirds vote to pass.
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