The Would-Be Cities and Would-Be Leaders : El Toro: This time around, there’s no acrimony among the 11 candidates, and all favor incorporation.

When Helen Wilson ran first in a City Council election three years ago, there was no cause for celebration. Voters had elected her but at the same time overwhelmingly rejected the proposed city of Saddleback Valley.

Wilson is now a candidate for the proposed City Council in El Toro, and although she insists that she is not taking anything for granted, many consider it a virtual certainty that she will take office.

The reason: from all indications, this time residents will vote to make El Toro one of Orange County’s latest cities.

“I’m running pretty much the same campaign,” Wilson, 40, said last week. “But it has been a lot easier and I’m confident that we’ll secure a complete victory.”

The El Toro race conspicuously lacks the acrimony that dominated the campaign three years ago, when the proposed city encompassed the communities of El Toro, Lake Forest, Aegean Hills, Portola Hills and Laguna Hills.

If approved, the new city of 58,000 people would only include the communities of El Toro, Lake Forest and Serrano Highlands and would be bordered by Interstate 5 on the south and Santiago Canyon Road on the north, Irvine and the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station on the west and Mission Viejo on the east.

For El Toro residents, the choices among the candidates are not clear-cut: unlike the 1988 campaign when several candidates ran on anti-cityhood platforms, all 11 candidates favor cityhood this time around. And with the exception of Jim Berkey, who is a Democrat, the others are all registered Republicans.

A candidates’ forum can appear like a gathering of old friends because they all hold virtually identical positions on the major issues. All agree on the need for increased police protection to combat a rising gang problem, improvement of community parks, controlled growth and remedies to the community’s nagging traffic problems.

Wilson is seen as the front-runner because of her previous victory, her name recognition and the fact that she has spearheaded the fight for cityhood through her leadership of the Community Coalition for Incorporation.

Candidates Richard T. Dixon and Jon Smith, who have pooled their campaign resources with Wilson, also are believed to have an edge because of Wilson’s popular support in the community.

The candidates are relying on telephone banks, flyers and precinct workers to get their message across to voters. Candidates are also taking advantage of numerous forums hosted by homeowners’ associations and other community groups to try to reach voters.

Some homeowners associations could also play an important part in the outcome of the election. The Lake Forest II Master Homeowners Assn., the largest homeowner organization in South County representing 3,500 households, is regarded as a key to the cityhood vote and successes of some candidates, especially if members vote in a bloc. An estimated 5,200 of the 12,000 residents in the Lake Forest planned community are registered voters.

Five of the association’s seven board members have endorsed cityhood. Three of the candidates--Ann Van Haun, Ray Wallenthin and Bob Forsberg--are residents of Lake Forest II.

Bill Kraus, general manager of the association, said that at least 50% of the residents who responded to an association survey favor cityhood, 22% oppose it and the remainder are undecided.

“Our members see the benefits of cityhood,” Kraus said. “About half of the complaints we receive relate to some degree of public service, problems that a city can address.”

Although there is no major organized opposition to cityhood, there are a few people who contend that the communities of El Toro and Lake Forest would be better off staying unincorporated.

Last week, longtime El Toro resident William Millan and a handful of supporters launched an anti-cityhood effort, distributing “fact sheets” that quote county officials expressing skepticism about the financial well-being of the proposed city. Candidates dispute that argument, citing a consultant estimate that shows a $2-million surplus in the city’s first year of operation.

Millan contends that a city would have to increase its tax base by encouraging additional development in areas that might otherwise be set aside for parks or open space.

Some slow-growth advocates, including Millan, also point out that large developers are supporting some candidates as well as the cityhood effort.

Campaign financial statements filed last week show that Foothill Ranch, a project by Hon Development of Laguna Hills, and the Baker Ranch Properties have contributed at least $4,600 to candidates and the pro-cityhood campaign.

Baker has made contributions to Wilson ($1,000), Marcia Rudolph ($1,000), Jon Smith ($1,000), Philip Dean ($500) and Community Coalition for Incorporation ($350); Foothill has contributed $250 each to Wilson, Rudolph and the incorporation coalition.

Foothill Ranch, a proposed $3-billion residential and commercial development, is not located within the proposed city limits. It is, however, in its sphere of influence and cityhood proponents have made it known that they plan to annex the tax-rich area at a later date.

“Follow the money,” Millan remarked. “Why are these developers getting involved? They surely expect something back for their investments.”

Russ Burkett, a prominent slow-growth advocate in South County, said the developers are contributing to the campaign so that they could be well-positioned if a city is created.

“The developers want to be in a no-lose situation,” Burkett said. “It is easier to control a city than the county’s red tape. If they can influence those who get elected, they’ll be in a good position. If it doesn’t work out, they can always go back to working with the county.”

John Baker Jr., treasurer of the Community Coalition, said he did not believe that the developers could buy influence with their contributions.

“I don’t think there is much influence that can be bought in a City Council race anyhow,” said Baker, who has no ties to the Baker Ranch development company. “And given the region’s recent experience, I don’t think that City Council candidates will put themselves in a situation where those charges can be made against them.”

Helen Wilson acknowledged that “we asked business who are going to provide services and employment for people in El Toro to contribute. But no one is going to buy my vote.”

EL TORO CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES Here are the candidates running for five seats on the El Toro City Council. The five top vote-getters will take office if voters approve cityhood in the March 5 election. Jim Berkey Age: 47 Occupation: Electrician Background: Former president, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 441; former board member, Laurelwood Homeowners Assn. in Tustin; volunteer at Mission Viejo High School band program. Issues: Wants synchronization of traffic lights; supports increased police patrols but believes parents must assist in preventing rise in gangs; supports upgrading some community parks. Philip Dean Age: 33 Occupation: Medical industry consultant Background: Ran unsuccessfully for the 32nd Congressional District seat in the 1986 Republican primary; member, El Toro Community Assn. and Republican Associates of Orange County. Issues: Promises to fight to keep local taxes low; favors increased police protection; promises to tackle traffic problems; supports construction of Foothill Corridor; supports development of more parks and better maintenance of open space. Dana L. Desrosiers Age: 41 Occupation: Community volunteer Background: Retired Marine master sergeant; board member, Bennett Ranch Homeowners Assn.; teach- er’s assistant; chairman, advisory council for the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station Child Development Center. Issues: Supports more police patrols to combat gang problem; advocates improvements to parks and recreation facilities; vows to work to prevent use of El Toro Marine base for commercial flights; supports improvement of parks and recreation facilities. Richard Thomas Dixon Age: 42 Occupation: Businessman Background: Board member, South Orange County Chamber of Commerce; member, Republican Associates of Orange County; serves on Saddleback Valley YMCA Board of Managers. Issues: Promises to address community’s transportation problems; opposes tax increases; favors increased police patrols to combat gang problem; supports building more athletic facilities for Little League, Bobby Sox and soccer leagues. Bob Forsberg Age: 44 Occupation: Businessman Background: Founder of two manufacturing companies; former marshal with the Treasury Department; one of eight El Toro millionaires listed in Millionaires of America. Issues: Promises to give priority to solving community’s traffic problems; favors recycling of curb trash without separation by the homeowner; supports plans for increased police patrols. Tim Link Age: 35 Occupation: Educator and businessman. Background: First-grade teacher at Golden Hills Elementary in Fullerton; church and community involvement. Issues: Wants to help solve traffic congestion and traffic noise; promises to keep local taxes low; favors increased police patrols to reduce crime; supports improving parks and recreation facilities. Marcia Rudolph Age: 50 Occupation: Educator and community volunteer Background: Second-grade teacher in Aegean Hills; elected as council member in unsuccessful Saddleback Valley City in 1988; former president, Saddleback Area Coordinating Council. Issues: Promises to work for family- and church-oriented community; supports improvement of recreation facilities and repair of Aliso Creek; supports building of toll roads in South County. Jon Smith Age: 30 Occupation: Businessman and television producer Background: Owns television and video production company; member, board of directors of Serrano Highlands Homeowners Assn.; vice president, WillowGlen sub-association; member, Community Coalition for Incorporation. Issues: Supports increased police patrols to stop gang activity; against higher municipal taxes; favors synchronization of traffic signals; advocates development of more parks and recreation centers. Ann Van Haun Age: 56 Occupation: University administrative employee Background: Placed seventh in race for Saddleback City Council in 1988; member, planning review committee of Saddleback Area Coordinating Council; former director, Lake Forest II Master Homeowners Assn. Issues: Supports anti-gang education; advocates improvements to recreation facilities; wants the community to have “more of a voice” in regional affairs. Ray Wallenthin Age: 50 Occupation: Businessman Background: Vice president, Lake Forest II Master Homeowners Assn.; president, Lake Forest II Tennis Assn.; treasurer, California Youth Theatre Group. Issues: Supports improvement of recreational facilities for children and senior citizens; pledges to ensure adequate police and fire protection for the community; supports “responsive planning and zoning” to maintain property values. Helen Wilson Age: 40 Occupation: Community volunteer Background: Placed first in election for proposed Saddleback Valley City Council in 1988; former president, Lake Forest I Community Assn. Issues: Promises to make local government accessible to citizens; supports a master plan for redeveloping business area on El Toro Road; advocates increased police patrols and gang awareness programs in schools.