SAN CLEMENTE : New Councilmen Minding Business

Economic growth will likely become the focus of the City Council when two new members, who were heavily backed by the Chamber of Commerce, are sworn in later this month.

Newcomers Joe Anderson, a former chamber president, and Truman Benedict, a retired superintendent of the Capistrano Unified School District, plus incumbent Thomas Lorch were elected to four-year terms in Tuesday’s election. Incumbent Brian J. Rice was defeated, and incumbent Holly Veale did not seek reelection.

Anderson and Benedict ran on a strong pro-business platform and received $1,500 donations in the campaign’s final days from the San Clemente Political Action Committee, which is affiliated with the chamber.

Anderson, the top vote-getter, said his priority will be to attract businesses to the city in an attempt to expand its tax base.

“We have been preoccupied with residential development in this city and have neglected building up our economic base,” he said. “We need to change that emphasis somewhat.”

Benedict also campaigned for broadening the city’s tax base, including building light industry and a luxury hotel within its limits.

“I think the voters showed they want growth, but managed growth, and that the business community wants greater attention,” Benedict said.

Lorch, who did not receive chamber backing, said he hopes he will be able to work with Anderson and Benedict, but he fears their election will give the chamber too much influence on the council.

“The chamber’s PAC gave them a lot of money and is going to expect them to listen to them,” Lorch said. “Some might say the chamber is going to run this city.”

Rice blamed his loss on unethical campaigning by his opponents.

“I ran a clean campaign, but the people who won were the ones who were the most negative,” he said. “They also posted their signs illegally all over town. Running a clean campaign cost me the election.”