21 Will Vie to Be Cities’ First Council Members

Twenty-one residents of El Toro and Laguna Hills have placed their names on the March 5 ballot to become council members if voters approve separate cityhood measures that day.

The candidates who filed with the Orange County registrar of voters before Thursday’s deadline include several who have campaigned for the creation of Orange County’s 30th and 31st cities.

With five council seats open in each city, there are 11 candidates in El Toro and 10 in Laguna Hills.

And five of them have actually won council elections before, only to be denied their positions when voters simultaneously rejected companion cityhood measures: A referendum to create one large city for the Saddleback Valley was defeated in 1988. A year later, Laguna Hills voters turned down by a slim margin a smaller cityhood proposal.

But after numerous compromises that resulted in the current plan--58,000 citizens in El Toro and 23,000 citizens in Laguna Hills--and the drawing of city boundaries that are acceptable to neighboring communities, little opposition to cityhood is expected in the March election.

Some of the previously victorious candidates said they are hoping that this time, finally, they will be able to serve.

Most contenders said this week that they will campaign to keep local taxes at a minimum, increase law enforcement, preserve neighborhoods, and improve parks and recreational facilities.

According to records and interviews, the candidates for the El Toro council include:

* Jim Berkey, whose age and occupation were unavailable Thursday.

* Philip Dean, 33, a medical-industry consultant.

* Dana L. Desrosier, 41, who retired last year from the U.S. Marine Corps.

* Richard T. Dixon, 42, owner of a health insurance brokerage.

* Bob Forsberg, whose age and occupation were unavailable.

* Tim Link, 35, an elementary-school teacher.

* Marcia Rudolph, 50, an elementary-school teacher.

* Jon Smith, 30, a television and video producer.

* Ann Van Haun, 56, a UC Irvine administrative employee.

* Ray Wallenthin, a businessman.

* Helen Wilson, 40, a community volunteer.

Laguna Hills candidates include:

* Randal Bressette, 54, a financial planner.

* Melody Carruth, 38, a community volunteer.

* Joel Lautenschleger, age and occupation unavailable.

* David Leland, 38, an accountant.

* Paul J. Mayjack, 22, a financial planner.

* Craig Scott, 37, an attorney.

* William Simmons, 46, a businessman.

* Leslie Allan Songstad Jr., 44, an attorney.

* David Stabbe, 51, an accountant.

* Gregory N. Weiler, age unavailable, an attorney.