SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Economic Growth Committee Set Up

The City Council has appointed a business task force to help the county’s oldest community grow economically.

After culling through many applications, the council chose 10 business leaders in the city to come up with plans to improve the city’s financial health.

“I was pleased to have so many qualified applicants to choose from,” Councilwoman Carolyn Nash said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t select all of them.”

The 10-member committee will get busy preparing a report for the council that will include:

* New strategies to retain businesses and corporations in San Juan Capistrano.

* Promotional programs that provide opportunities for the city and business community to become partners in promotions.

* Beautification and other programs to enhance the downtown district and other areas of the city in order to stimulate shopping and tourism.

“Cities are on the front line in dealing with this major issue of ensuring financial vitality,” said Councilman Gil Jones, a small-business owner in the city. “We must find solutions that facilitate economic expansion of the city, yet address many related problems, such as preserving the quality of life and maintaining the village-like atmosphere of San Juan Capistrano.”

Task force members appointed by the council are Sandra Bair of Eye Appeal Opticians; Joe Campbell of Ruby’s Diner; Maria Cedeno of Mariners Bank; Sue DiMaio of Galleria Capistrano; Paul Farber, developer of the Franciscan Plaza; Rich Hanson, representing the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce; Gerry Miller of the Mission San Juan Capistrano; Al Parajeckas of Barwick Nissan; Scott Schmidt of MotoPhoto, and Ted Stroscher of Plaza del Obispo.