4 Town Council Candidates Unopposed : Election: Only the District 5 seat in Castaic is contested. The panel offers guidance to county officials.

New leaders Tuesday will join a citizens panel here that has an unofficial but influential role on community issues.

Five of the Castaic Town Council’s 10 seats are up for grabs, one for each district, although most candidates are running unopposed. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with the election’s sole precinct at Castaic Elementary School.

This is the second election for the town council, which began in 1992 to provide “old-fashioned town hall meetings” to discuss issues facing the community.

Members serve four years, although the initial election cut that in half for one seat in each district to stagger the terms. Meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month at Live Oak Elementary School.

The council has provided guidance to county officials about future development, approved plans for 20,000 motorcyclists to visit for the annual Love Ride that benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., and even researched the hazards of killer bees someday entering the town.

“We cannot legislate and we cannot adjudicate, but we can endorse,” said Samuel Ara Azhderian Jr., council president. “We act like a big brother, for the little brother of Castaic, to the big boys in authority.”

Despite its unofficial status, the town council commands respect from elected officials. About 15 such groups operate in Los Angeles County’s 5th District, and Supervisor Michael Antonovich encourages developers to consult with Castaic and other councils before trying to build in a community.

“They have the ear of the supervisor,” said Jo Anne Darcy, field deputy for Antonovich’s Santa Clarita Valley office. “They’re elected by their peers. In the absence of a city or a supervisor, they keep tabs on things on a day-to-day basis.”

Susan Qualls, 32, who owns a construction equipment and rental company, and Robert Smith, 69, a retired aerospace engineer, are competing for District 5, which includes Castaic north of Lake Hughes Road to Pyramid Lake.

“(The council) is a body to help expedite things you want to get done in the community,” said Qualls. “I want to make sure our town grows.”

Qualls, a four-year resident of the community, said she became involved with the town council at the prodding of her husband.

Smith said he believes that Castaic will soon face the issue of incorporating into a city, and must plan for future development. He first brought up the issue of killer bees to the town council and, if elected, will do so again.

“It’s a threat to the community and not too many people are aware of them,” Smith said.

Candidates are running unopposed in the other four districts.

Greg Ferrier, 40, a realtor and retired police officer, will take over in District 1, covering the southeast portion of Castaic.

Larry Patrich, 43, a mechanical repair supervisor for Los Angeles County, will represent District 2, which covers Val Verde.

Richard Massey, 50, a parking facility manager, will retain his seat in District 3, which encompasses Hasley Canyon.

Phil Mazzeo, 40, a painting contractor, will take over in District 4, which covers downtown Castaic.