Karen Lloreda Named Mayor of Dana Point

Karen Lloreda, who was first elected to the City Council in June, 1990, was elected this week as the city’s fifth mayor, replacing Mike Eggers.

Lloreda, 45, a Capistrano Beach mother of three, was selected unanimously Tuesday night by the five-member council. She will serve as mayor for one year.

“This is all pretty new to me,” she said Wednesday. “When I became mayor pro tem last year is when it first occurred to me that I might be the mayor some day.”

Lloreda got involved in politics as president of the Capistrano Beach Community Assn. As president, she launched a drive for her first popularly elected political office.

“I have always had a political nature, but I just wasn’t involved until the community association. This all started out innocently enough, honest,” she said with a laugh.

City Councilwoman Judy Curreri, who was the city’s first mayor after incorporation in 1989 and who was reelected to the council June 2, was selected mayor pro tem for the next 12 months. The other winner in the June 2 election, William L. Ossenmacher, was also seated Tuesday night.