POLITICAL NOTEBOOK : New District Attracts a Crowd

Big Field--Former Pasadena Police Chief Bruce Philpott, who was being urged by Democrats to run for the state Assembly, did not enter the race, but there will be plenty of other names on the ballot in the new 44th Assembly District.

Five Democrats and 10 Republicans filed declarations of intention to run before Monday’s deadline. They now have until March 6 to file nomination papers.

Potential Republican candidates include attorney Stephen Acker, Republican Club coordinator Roy Begley, T. H. Choi, insurance agent William E. Hoge, businessman Robert Oltman and Pasadena school board member Wilbert L. Smith, all of Pasadena; La Crescenta consultant Bob Bell, Temple City homemaker Maurine Petteruto, former La Canada Flintridge Mayor Barbara Pieper, and police officer and former South Pasadena Councilman Lee Prentiss.

Democratic hopefuls include Mark A. Calney; Jonathan S. Fuhrman, assistant manager of warehouse systems for a major food company, and Daniel I. Hurst, a computer consultant, all of Pasadena; John Vollbrecht, a Los Angeles builder, and Rob Zapple of Kagel Canyon.

Covering the Bases--Covina attorney Dan Thomas Oki had been hoping that Gov. Pete Wilson would appoint him to the Citrus Municipal Court bench, but now he might be better off without that favor.

“If the governor really likes me,” Oki said, “he won’t appoint me.”

The reason: Oki is the only person who filed a declaration to run for the court’s vacant office No. 3 before this week’s deadline. Oki said other potential candidates shied away because the election will be canceled if Wilson fills the post before June.

Oki said most people expect the governor to make an appointment. The appointee would not have to face voters until 1994. But if the governor does not act, Oki would be the only name on the ballot June 2. If elected, which would be highly likely, he would serve through 1998.

It cost Oki $906.50 to file for an election that may not be held, but he said at least he will be in a great spot if the governor, for some reason, overlooks the judgeship in the West Covina court.

Short Subjects--He may not make it on the ballot that way, but Craig (Tax Freeze) Freis of Glendale has at least gotten his nickname on the county’s list of candidates in the 21st Senate District. Freis, a Democrat, wants to challenge state Sen. Newton R. Russell (R-Glendale).

Claremont City Council candidate Dennis Bauman, a business owner, will speak with voters from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at the Claremont Woman’s Club.

Garvey school board President Diane Martinez, who ran two years ago against Assemblyman Xavier Becerra (D-Monterey Park), has filed a declaration of candidacy for a rematch.

Hacienda Heights environmentalist Wil Baca, who had considered trying for the Republican nomination to succeed retiring Assemblywoman Sally Tanner (D-Baldwin Park), said he has given up that idea to work on local issues, such as the incorporation of Hacienda Heights.