LOCAL ELECTIONS / LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL : Who’s Not Running Is the Biggest News

What’s interesting about this fall’s City Council race isn’t who is running. It’s who’s not running.

Councilman James F. Krembas’ decision to retire from the council surprised political observers here, who have watched the school administrator help lead the community through the incorporation effort and then guide the city through its early, roller-coaster years.

“His leadership will be missed,” said Councilman Thomas W. Wilson. “Hopefully, he’ll remain active and give us input when he deems it appropriate. I know him to be not a bashful person, so I’m sure he’ll step up and give us some valuable input.”

Krembas, who was on the Laguna Niguel Community Services District and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce before being elected to the council, explained the decision simply, saying it was a promise he made in 1989.

“I said that I thought it would be appropriate for me to run for only one term to get the city going and off the ground and provide what expertise I could,” he said. “My wife and I have lived in the community for 17 years and (have) been involved (with civic affairs) virtually every one of those days. It’s time for a break.”

The other incumbent whose term is ending, Patricia C. Bates, 54, is seeking reelection. Like Krembas, she was a political fixture here long before this city of 52,000--nestled in the hills between Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano--incorporated in 1989.

Bates said she is proud of what the city has accomplished in the four years she has been on the council: the building of the $3.3-million Sea Country Senior and Community Center, the maintenance of one of the lowest crime rates in the county and the privatization of many government services.

Eight other residents have stepped forward to try to influence how this young, growing city parcels out a $16.3-million budget and how it interacts with the county, state and surrounding city governments.

Several candidates--Paul Christiansen, Eddie Rose, Linda Lindholm and Richard Taylor--are involved in local politics. The other candidates--Harvey Holden, Greg Cox, Sandy Miller and Mary Ann Malamut--are relative newcomers to the city.

All of the candidates except Richard Taylor are registered Republicans, as are the five council members--Krembas, Bates, Wilson, Mark Goodman and Mayor Janet Godfrey.

Christiansen, a 43-year-old former councilman who lost a reelection bid in 1992, has vowed to fight against development of a commercial airport on the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station and against higher taxes and business fees.

The only drama in the low-key race so far has been an argument between Christiansen and the city over how his occupation would be listed on the ballot. He wanted to be called a “taxpayer advocate.” But City Clerk Juanita Zarilla said advocating lower taxes was not Christiansen’s primary occupation, and that the term could mislead voters. His name will appear on the ballot with no designation.

Rose, a 56-year-old engineer, has run twice unsuccessfully for the City Council. He also led an unsuccessful 1990 recall effort against four council members, including Bates. The recall effort partially stemmed from the council’s testing the constitutionality of a citizens’ initiative to ban ridgeline development before placing it on the ballot. When the judge declared it unconstitutional, the council enacted a less-restrictive ordinance that protected the ridgelines from new developments, while also allowing current owners of ridgeline homes to remodel their homes if they wished.

The man who led the initiative drive, Taylor, 52, is also seeking a seat on the council. A retired conceptual designer, Taylor is involved in leading youth programs, especially Boy Scout activities.

Lindholm, 42, is a registered occupational therapist and city planning commissioner. As a commissioner, she approved locating a Montessori preschool in the Beacon Hill Commercial Center, after she initially opposed it due to traffic concerns. She said she changed her mind when the school decided to have one-way, not two-way drop-off traffic in front of the school, which she said would be safer.

Holden, 71, is a former city councilman and mayor in Walnut. After leaving public office, he paid a $2,000 fine to the state Fair Political Practices Commission for not listing as a gift $10,000 worth of free grading a developer did on his property while he was a councilman. He said he hopes to bring the perspective of seniors to the council.

Miller, a 53-year-old mortgage loan consultant, said she wants to encourage patronage of local businesses and creation of more recreational opportunities for teen-agers.

Small business owner Cox, 46, said his primary reason for running is his strong opposition to an airport at El Toro.

Malamut, a 35-year-old paralegal, said her focus is on safety for children near schools and giving kids more places to go for fun.