Irvine : Council Candidates to Appear at Forum

The public will have a chance to question the three candidates seeking to fill a vacant seat on the City Council during an Oct. 20 forum sponsored by the Irvine Chamber of Commerce.

Voters will select one of the candidates on Nov. 2. The winner of the election will fill the one year remaining in the term of William A. (Art) Bloomer, who resigned in July to accept a job in Virginia.

The candidates are: Marc Goldstone, 37, a planning commissioner; Alireza Jazayeri, 47, a community services commissioner; and Greg Smith, 44, a member of the Irvine Unified School District Board of Education.

The candidates will have a chance to present their platforms before fielding questions from the audience.

One topic sure to surface at the forum is the closure of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, located at the northeastern edge of the city. City officials are now locked in a battle with the county for a strong voice in crafting a redevelopment plan for the 4,700-acre base.

Other issues likely to be raised include crime, affordable housing and maintaining Irvine’s high quality of life.

The forum will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office, 17200 Jamboree Road, Suite A. Admission is free.