LA HABRA : Voters Hear Council Candidates at Forum

As he watched candidates for City Council make brief pitches to an audience, Brian Cannon made up his mind.

“There will be three people I won’t be voting for--the ones who didn’t show up,” said the 34-year-old resident.

That left nine to choose from, with only three council seats available. “You have a community that’s pulling together, and everyone just wants to be a part of it,” said Joan Mallard, an employee of the La Habra City School District, who came to the forum Thursday where many candidates made their first campaign speeches.

“It’s the best field of candidates we’ve ever had,” said Kent Roberts, a past city councilman.

The forum was organized by the La Habra Area Chamber of Commerce, and may be the only time all the council candidates appear together, according to Betty Frazier of the League of Women Voters.

The forum will be televised Thursdays at 4 p.m. and again later on Thursday evenings on the local cable channel until the elections. Voters may call the chamber at (714) 992-4702 for exact viewing times.

Having read platforms and heard campaign promises, many voters wanted to see the candidates face a crowd.

“Seeing how the candidates react to the public is as important, maybe more, than their stated goals,” said Bill Reeves, a resident and member of the Chamber of Commerce. “Without an aspect of presentation, they won’t be able to accomplish their goals.”

But voters also wanted concrete answers to their questions. Candidate Steve Anderson was asked whether he would consider firing Lee Risner, the city’s manager for more than 20 years. “That’s up to the will of the voters,” Anderson said, declining to state his opinion about the manager.

“Whooosh! I heard the air move as he ducked,” Cannon said with a chuckle.

Candidates gave three-minute speeches on why they are running and responded to questions from the audience that had been written on cards.

Mayor James Flora, who is running for reelection, was asked whether he supports the idea of town meetings, something proposed by candidate Teresa Anne Scarpinato. Flora pointed out that the City Council already meets twice a month, and is open to resident comment. He agreed to consider the idea.

Scarpinato promoted quarterly town meetings as “a non-threatening environment for people to talk to us.”

Flores, Scarpinato and Anderson appeared along with candidates Rose H. Espinoza, incumbent Juan M. Garcia, Joan Johnson, Marian R. Lemus, Paul G. Thornburg and Steven D. Wilder.

Candidates Peter Gomez, Dan D. Kushmak and Mitchell T. Tracy did not attend the forum. Richard (Louie) Lewis has withdrawn from the race.