LOCAL ELECTIONS : ANAHEIM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL : Hunter, Pickler Raise Their Tempers, $180,000

In one of the most closely watched and costly city elections in the county, voters will cast ballots Nov. 6 for a mayor and two other City Council members.

So far, the seven contenders for three seats on the council have raised more than $350,000, with the Walt Disney Co., the Los Angeles Rams and several local developers listed among the major contributors.

About $180,000 is being spent on the mayor’s race alone, in a heated contest between a personal-injury lawyer and a retired businessman who has raised $120,000.

The mayor’s position pays just $800 a month and primarily involves ceremonial duties, such as being on hand to greet foreign dignitaries visiting Disneyland. But what is at stake is the power and influence wielded by the top elected official in a city with a $557-million budget--one that is spending millions of dollars to transform its image from the land that Disney built into a major league urban center.

Extensive redevelopment is under way to inject life into downtown. The city recently completed a $30-million renovation of its convention center, and officials hope to lure a professional basketball franchise to town with a $100-million sports arena.

There is another side to Anaheim, a diverse city of 269,000 that can be mapped out along ethnic and economic lines. While to the east lies Anaheim Hills--an affluent, predominantly white community of expensive homes where families pay high taxes to pay for municipal services--the remaining areas of town are heavily Latino, made up largely of working-class and poor families, many living in apartment complexes. Many of these areas are plagued by crime, gang violence and traffic congestion, among other urban problems. Latinos make up 44% of the population, but there has never been a Latino council member, and there are no Latino candidates on this year’s slate.

However, those are not the issues in the mayor’s race. As was the case two years ago, when now-incumbent Mayor Fred Hunter and his challenger, Councilman Irv Pickler, met in a bitter contest, their November rematch is expected to focus largely on personality clashes, rather than specific issues. For example, Pickler recently conducted a telephone survey in which his pollsters suggested that Hunter suffers from a “drinking problem.”

Hunter denounced the tactic as mudslinging, then accused his opponent of being a puppet of the city’s development interests.

Because the council is often split, 3-2, the balance of power could shift dramatically if an incumbent loses a seat in November.

On the one side is Hunter, 48, a lawyer who heads a council minority that envisions Anaheim as the West Coast city of the future--a city, Hunter says, that could one day rival San Francisco. His ally is William D. Ehrle, one of two council members not up for reelection.

In the other camp is the “old guard,” composed of Pickler, Miriam Kaywood and, usually, first-term council member Tom Daly. Pickler, Kaywood and Hunter are up for reelection. (Pickler and Hunter must run for their council seats, in addition to facing each other in the mayor’s race.)

All of the challengers running against the incumbents say current council members argue too much. The other candidates include: Bob Simpson, who retired in March as city manager amid accusations that he had been forced out by the new council majority; Planning Commissioner Frank Feldhaus; school board member Jo Anne Barnett, and political newcomer John Schaeffer. Compared to the incumbents, they have raised little money and are relying mostly on door-to-door campaigning.

Barnett has sharply criticized conflicts among council members. “People are watching them on television and think they’re crazy,” she said, pledging to bring “dignity” to the meetings.

Feldhaus has accused city officials of supporting major development projects at the expense of other more pressing community concerns. “It’s ludicrous,” he said. “They’re building their grand whatever” at a time when the city needs revenue for more police officers and other community services.

Voters will also be asked to decide seven ballot measures resulting from recommendations by a citizens committee that reviews the City Charter every 10 years.

If passed, the measures would:

* Increase the penalty for violating any city ordinance from $500 to $1,000.

* Authorize stadium and convention center managers to approve contracts for upcoming events. At present, scheduling must be approved by the City Council.

* Change the city’s system for buying goods, allowing the city’s purchasing agent to buy services. The purchasing agent is now authorized to buy only equipment and cannot approve service contracts. The same ballot measure would allow an individual with a grievance against the city six months, rather than 100 days, to file a claim.

* Update an outdated accounting system and allow officials to issue checks to pay off city debts.

* Allow a single motion to waive full readings of ordinances and resolutions at City Council meetings.

* Allow the city to establish a utility payment program that would aid low-income families and senior residents, among others.

* Authorize the city utility department to take out bonds with City Council approval, rather than requiring voter approval.

ANAHEIM ELECTIONS

Mayor / City Council Both candidates also running for council seats.

Fred Hunter

Age: 48

Occupation: Incumbent/attorney

Background: Elected mayor in 1988 by a margin of about 1,500 votes in a costly, closely contested campaign. Council member since 1986. Anaheim police officer, 1965-75, specializing in narcotics. “Hunter’s Brigade,” his current anti-drug campaign, was prohibited in the Anaheim City School District because it was considered too political.

Issues: Drug awareness remains his top priority. Believes in hiring more police officers to fight crime. Wants to keep Anaheim progressive with major new developments, such as the sports arena and Disneyland-area improvements, with no cost to taxpayers.

Irv Pickler

Age: 69

Occupation: Incumbent councilman/retired businessman

Background: Council member since 1982. Former county planning commissioner; former Anaheim Union High School District board member. Ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1988.

Issues: Traffic and crime are top concerns. Believes current council is caught up in personality conflicts and wants to lead council more professionally. Opposed Anaheim Arena because he did not want to use city money.

City Council Jo Anne Barnett

Age: 58

Occupation: Elementary school media center coordinator

Background: Anaheim Union High School District board member for past 19 years. Served twice on the committee that reviews the city’s charter every decade, chairing that committee this year. Current chairwoman of the city’s ad hoc youth task force. Ran unsuccessfully for council in 1988.

Issues: Wants to end council in-fighting and restore “dignity” to weekly council meetings. Hopes to work on traffic improvements and youth gang-prevention programs.

Frank Feldhaus

Age: 62

Occupation: Retired businessman

Background: Planning commissioner since 1987. Supported by the Chamber of Commerce. Refuses to run a $200,000 campaign, as is recommended to win.

Issues: Believes current council is sidestepping citizens’ concerns in pursuit of large developments, such as Anaheim Arena, Disneyland expansion and major commercial developments. Wants to ensure that returns from those investments are specifically earmarked for extra police officers, community services.

Miriam Kaywood

Age: 67

Occupation: Incumbent/retired legal secretary

Background: Has served on the council since 1974. Anaheim’s first and only woman elected to the council. Former planning commissioner. Led fight for public hearings on all development projects and helped defeat council pay hike proposals.

Issues: Believes in planned growth, especially for neighborhood and open-spce preservation. Wants to find traffic solutions and fight drugs, gangs and crime.

John Schaffer

Age: 31

Occupation: Computer specialist

Background: Two-year Anaheim resident, newcomer to local politics. Is not raising campaign funds.

Issues: Touts himself as the youngest candidate and a new alternative for Anaheim voters. Targets crime as a top priority, followed by the need for youth activities for gang and drug prevention.

Bob Simpson

Age: 60

Occupation: Retired city manager

Background: Former city manager, assistant city manager and fire chief for the city. Controversy surrounded his retirement when allegations arose that three incumbent council members had forced his departure. Prominent list of supporters, including Angels’ owner Gene Autry, County Supervisor Don R. Roth and Los Angeles Rams executives.

Issues: Believes council should be more businesslike, with less politics in council decisions. Wants a better link between the city and local businesses.