1992 ELECTIONS : San Marino City Council

Population: 12,959

Three at-large City Council seats at stake in April 14 election

For the first time, a candidate of Asian ancestry is running for office in a town that during the last decade has increasingly become a favored address for newcomers from Asia. About one-third of the residents are of Asian ancestry.

To even have a contested election can be unusual in San Marino where the City Council prides itself on overseeing the quiet, well-oiled machine of a small municipal government oriented to providing a personal touch to residents.

Two of the three incumbents, W. Michael Johnson and Rosemary Simmons, did not seek reelection. City Council members receive no financial compensation except for travel expenses in certain instances.

* Eugene H. Dryden, 58

Manager at Aerojet Electronic Systems, an aerospace company in Azusa.

Background: Currently vice mayor, he was elected to the council in 1988. For 10 years, he was on the city’s Planning Commission and has served on the board of the San Marino City Club.

Remarks: “We’re in good financial shape and have good management. Basically, things are in good shape. On the other hand, there are all sorts of little issues: housing issues, trash issues, significant parking issues, revitalizing the business area. We have a lot of planning to do for the future. We need to review and implement recommendations of the Strategic Planning Commission.”

* Donald Cotton, 58

President of an urban and environmental planning consulting firm, Cotton/Beland/Associates in Pasadena and San Diego.

Background: He co-chaired the successful 1990 campaign for the city’s public safety services assessment.

Remarks: “As a city planner and consultant with more than 30 years experience, I have worked with many cities in Southern California facing the types of concerns we face here in San Marino. Our zoning code needs to be updated to match current conditions. I propose we begin a program of more aggressive traffic control. I propose we complete a thorough evaluation of the commercial areas. I very much favor any city programs which support the quality of the schools. I would like to see continuation of strong citizen participation in the resolution of issues and problems facing the city.”

* Allan K. Yung, 51

Physician, specializing in ear, nose, throat, head and neck surgery and facial plastic surgery. He is chief of staff at Alhambra Community Hospital and teaches at the UCLA School of Medicine.

Background: A native of Hong Kong, Yung moved to the United States in 1959 to begin his college education in Virginia. He served on the traffic and transportation task force of the city’s Strategic Planning Commission. In 1988 he was president of the San Marino Chinese Club and has been on the board of the San Marino City Club and the San Marino School Foundation.

Remarks: “I want to maintain San Marino as a residential, safe city. I am opposed to annexation in general. I want the City Council to help the schools develop innovative sources of funding. I am running because for the past 17 years my wife and I have been involved in a number of community projects and I want to continue that involvement. I don’t view myself as an Asian candidate. I’m a candidate to represent all of San Marino.”

* Bernard E. Le Sage, 42

Attorney. As a senior partner with Los Angeles firm of Buchalter, Nemer, Fields and Younger, he specializes in business litigation.

Background: In 1986 he chaired the campaign for passage of the special assessment to help finance public safety services in the town and in 1990 he co-chaired the campaign.

Remarks: “The single most important issue is trying to balance the budget. There’s going to be a continuing squeeze. Many, if not most, of the problems of our city will have to face . . . are not resolvable by edicts from the City Council. Rather, we will only make progress with such problems by building a consensus based on common goals. It is also apparent that we will be facing complicated legal issues. . . . I will be able to apply my legal training and background to the issues at hand, and if there is a creative and practical solution within the confines of the law, I will find it.”