Candidates, Ballot Issue Put Focus on Finances : Election: Westminister officials say the infrastructure has long been neglected. A plan to raise the business tax could help rebuild city facilities.

With the city still recovering from near-bankruptcy in 1984, candidates in the city’s Nov. 6 election promise to focus on plans that ensure Westminster’s long-term financial stability.

Related issues are sure to include proposed tax increases and increased funding for police to fight growing drug- and gang-related activity.

“We’re playing catch-up on a lot of infrastructure problems,” incumbent Mayor Charles V. Smith said. “The city’s been long neglected because of financial conditions. We still need to institute long-range fiscal planning so that we don’t get back into the situation we were in 10 years ago.”

In November, voters will decide a mayoral race, a council race and two ballot measures, one of which would almost double the city’s business tax if passed.

The mayor’s race promises to be a lively one as Smith squares off against Councilman Frank Fry Jr., a former Westminster mayor with 20 years of experience on the council, and dark horse candidate Daryl DeGraw, a vocal 29-year-old community activist who would become the youngest council member if elected.

In the race for a council seat, incumbent Anita Huseth is opposed by Craig Schweisinger, a city planning commissioner. Schweisinger has received the endorsement of the Westminster Firefighters’ Assn., which is traditionally a strong force in campaigns, with its members canvassing the community to solicit support for its candidates.

Ballot Measure LL would raise the city’s business tax to offset inflation. The tax was last adjusted in 1978. Huseth and DeGraw said they are the only candidates who oppose the business tax increase.

“It’s a bad time to put a tax on the ballot, when we have a recession and people are out of work,” Huseth said.

However, Chamber of Commerce President Ken McNicol said the chamber supports the increase, which would add $30 to the $50 fee for most businesses, plus an additional $5 fee for each full-time employee and $2.50 for each part-time employee .

“The chamber feels businesses should pay their way,” he said. “It’s equitable. If you have 10 people, you have 10 people using city services. If you have 100 people, you have 100 people using city services.”

The other measure on the ballot, Measure KK, would designate one council seat in the 1992 election as a two-year post, evening out the number of seats open in each election.

The current system is staggered. This creates three vacancies in the four-seat council. If the ordinance is passed, a designated seat would become a two-year term starting in 1992, but revert to a four-year post in 1994, making two seats open in every election. The ordinance would not affect the mayor’s position, which remains a two-year post.

WESTMINSTER CITY ELECTIONS

Mayoral Candidates Daryl DeGraw

Age: 29.

Occupation: Postal Service manager.

Background: Activist for the mobile home community in Westminster.

Issues: Opposes all new taxes and tax increases. Supports increased education efforts to control gang activity and crime.

Frank Fry Jr.

Age: 65.

Occupation: Retired department manager at Vons.

Background: Has served on the City Council for 20 years; served a term as mayor beginning in 1978; current mayor pro tem.

Issues: Wants better preparation of the budget and more communication between mayor and council.

Charles V. Smith

Age: 58.

Occupation: Incumbent/ retired aerospace engineer at Rockwell.

Background: Has served on the City Council since 1984. Was elected mayor in 1988.

Issues: Wants long-range financial and redevelopment master plans for city, improvement of infrastructure.

City Council Candidates Anita Huseth

Age: 61.

Occupation: Incumbent/ co-owner of Mace Metal Sales Inc. in Los Angeles.

Background: Was on Parks and Recreation Commission for nine years. Has spent four years on the City Council. Has lived in Westminster for 30 years.

Issues: Opposes business tax increase on November ballot; supports increased police programs to combat gangs and graffiti.

Craig Schweisinger

Age: 43.

Occupation: Manager of office furniture company.

Background: Traffic commissioner for four years, current planning commissioner.

Issues: Supports increased efforts to fight gangs and drug-related crime.