NORTH ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT

These are the candidates running for two seats on the North Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees in the Nov. 6 election.

Trustee Area 1Leonard L. Lahtinen

Age: 56

Occupation: High school teacher

Background: Teacher for 34 years; former president, Anaheim Secondary Teachers Assn.; secretary, Orange County Democratic Party, 1978-85; chairman, 1988 Orange County Democratic Convention; member, Orange County Transportation Commission’s 20-year Master Plan Citizens Committee; resides in Anaheim.

Issues: Says he is running on behalf of “citizens and organizations who have been truly disappointed by the actions of my opponent (Steve White), who was appointed to the board two years ago.”

Steve White

Age: 43

Occupation: Appointed incumbent; real estate broker

Background: Appointed to district board after Rebecca Gonzalez, winning candidate in the November, 1988, election, withdrew from the race too late to be taken off the ballot; has operated an independent real estate firm for 12 years; member of the Fullerton Museum Board; resides in Anaheim.

Issues: Advocates providing program flexibility to meet student needs; wants to assure adequate funding and sufficient classroom space; supports meeting affirmative action goals mandated under the state Educational Reform Act.

Trustee Area 2A. John Gironda

(Photo not available) Age: 64

Occupation: Investment counselor; currently working as independent tax counselor and tax preparer; Background: Previously worked in aerospace engineering management; resides in Los Alamitos.

Issues: “I want to give people another choice. My philosophy is, we should start changing some of the incumbents at all levels of government. The second reason is, I’ve gotten so much out of the community college district . . . that I decided I wanted to give something back.”

Otto J. Lacayo

Age: 55

Occupation: Incumbent; businessman

Background: Has held elected offices for more than 20 years, including two terms on Cypress City Council; resides in Cypress.

Issues: Favors construction of a third community college campus on 190 acres of undeveloped district-owned land in Yorba Linda.