LOCAL : HUNTINGTON BEACH : Slow-Growth Advocates See Chance to Gain Majority

State election returns are making big political waves in Surf City.

Two of the City Council’s seven members won nominations to state offices in Tuesday’s election, and political observers quickly noted that the result leaves two open council seats in November.

The city’s slow-growth advocates, eagerly anticipating the prospects, said Wednesday that the Nov. 6 election will give them a chance to create a majority on the council.

“We’re really excited about what could happen this fall,” said Bob Biddle, president of Huntington Beach Tomorrow, which advocates controlled growth. “We think there’s a good chance of turning the council around and having a council that responds to the people rather than to developers.”

Debbie Cook, spokeswoman for Save Our Parks, another slow-growth organization, said: “This gives us the chance to elect some environmentally sensitive people to the City Council. At the very least, it will be nice to have some fresh blood on the council.”

The two who will not be running for reelection in November--Mayor Thomas J. Mays and Councilman Wes Bannister--are considered pro-development and have been financially backed by developers.

The City Council has only two members who are considered slow-growth advocates--Peter M. Green and Grace Winchell. Winchell, Bannister, Mays and Councilman John Erskine all have four-year terms that expire in November.

Mays won the Republican nomination in the 58th Assembly District, which extends from Huntington Beach to Long Beach. Mays will face Democrat Luanne W. Pryor of Long Beach in the Nov. 6 election.

Bannister won the Republican nomination for state insurance commissioner--a new state office created by Proposition 103. Bannister will oppose state Sen. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove) in the Nov. 6 election.

Winchell has made it clear she will run for reelection, and Erskine, while at one time saying he would not run, has in recent days said he will probably seek a second term.

Two names are prominently mentioned as likely candidates for the council this fall. They are Mark Porter, former planning commissioner, and Linda Moulton-Patterson, a Huntington Beach Union High School District trustee.

Porter, an outspoken foe of many developments in the city, is a slow-growth advocate.

Moulton-Patterson, the wife of former Rep. Jerry Patterson (D-Santa Ana), is also seeking the backing of controlled-growth groups. Sources within those groups said that Winchell, Porter and Moulton-Patterson are all likely to be endorsed by Huntington Beach Tomorrow and Save Our Parks.