ANAHEIM : Feldhaus Will Vie for City Council Seat

Planning Commissioner Frank E. Feldhaus Jr. has announced that he will run for City Council in November.

Feldhaus, 61, a longtime Anaheim resident and businessman, is the first candidate to challenge the three incumbents who are expected to seek reelection.

A planning commissioner since 1987, Feldhaus said he wanted to get a head start on campaigning to have time to canvass the city. He criticized candidates who try to reach voters through mailers and other advertisements.

“That’s buying your way into the council,” Feldhaus said. “That’s not what I want to do.”

Though he will wait until later in the campaign to detail his goals and priorities for the city, he said personnel increases at the Police Department will be a main theme.

The terms of council members Irv Pickler and Miriam Kaywood and Mayor Fred Hunter expire in November, and the three are likely to provide tough competition for Feldhaus.

Allan B. Hughes, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, praised Feldhaus’ years of involvement in the city’s business community and said the chamber’s recently formed political action committee may consider endorsing him.

Feldhaus estimates that a successful campaign will cost between $175,000 and $200,000, adding that he is willing to contribute about $25,000 to launch the effort. His first fund-raiser last week drew about 60 supporters; they donated about $8,000 to the campaign, he said.