SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Councilman Jones to Seek Reelection

City Councilman Gil Jones says he will seek election to a second term.

Jones, 62, became the first incumbent to declare his candidacy, filing nomination papers Tuesday.

Jones, the owner of the Jones Family Mini Farm, said he wants to encourage businesses to locate in the city. He said some proposed projects in the past have made their way toward approval, only to be turned down by the council.

“We can’t continue to have this image that we’ve portrayed over the years, that we are a bedroom community,” Jones said.

Jones said that his pro-business stance would not override preservation of the city’s historic setting.

Jones served for nearly four years on the city’s Planning Commission before being elected to the council in 1990.

Three council seats are open in the November election.

Councilman Gary L. Hausdorfer announced last week that he will not seek reelection. He was first elected in 1978.

Councilman Jeff Vasquez has not said publicly whether he will run. Vasquez was elected in 1990.

A handful of people have taken out nomination papers, but no challengers had filed as of Tuesday afternoon.