CYPRESS : Card Club Proposal Is Campaign Issue

An informal proposal to a build a card club at the Los Alamitos Race Course sparked such a community outcry earlier this year that it remains a campaign issue among the candidates for City Council.

Lloyd Arnold told the council months ago that he was considering setting up the gambling club at the course. Although he has submitted no formal proposal, it remains a topic of debate.

Three challengers, Raymond Wozniak, Steven Bradley and Harold Lindamood, are trying to unseat incumbents Cecilia Age and Gail Kerry, both elected to the council in 1988.

Age, the only council member to take a stand on the club, is vehemently opposed. Joining her is challenger Bradley, who said he doesn’t think that the club is compatible with Cypress’ family community atmosphere. However, the remaining candidates are more cautious in their approach.

Kerry said she would want the people to decide, as mandated by state law.

“I don’t think five council members should make such a decision,” she said.

Lindamood, a longtime member of the Traffic Commission, is undecided on the issue.

Another topic of discussion this election is a county plan to put a light rail system through town to help alleviate traffic. The line would run on existing track.

The plan, still under consideration by the county, which has the final say, was voted down by the City Council.

Kerry and Age, in light of mounting citizen opposition, both voted against the plan. Bradley takes the opposing view, adding that he would make some changes to the county’s proposal. “There are all kinds of things to do to make (the trains) quieter,” Bradley said.

Lindamood said he would have to study the plan before deciding.