Haggard Is Back in Role She Knows--Mayor

Candace Haggard was unanimously appointed mayor last week by her City Council colleagues.

It will be the second time around for Haggard, who has been on the council since 1988 and served as mayor in 1989.

“I think she’ll be outstanding,” said outgoing Mayor Scott Diehl. “Candy has been a very good leader, not only in San Clemente, but in Orange County. We’re blessed to be able to tap into that kind of leadership.”

Newly elected Councilman Steve Apodaca was named mayor pro tem. Also sworn in this week were returning Councilman Joe Anderson and first-time Councilman Patrick M. Ahle.

After turning over the mayor’s seat to Haggard, Diehl reflected on a comeback year for the city. A series of disasters struck in 1993, particularly a rainstorm that caused structural damage to many hillside homes and triggered a massive landslide that still has Pacific Coast Highway closed.

“It was a very good year, I thought we accomplished a lot,” Diehl said. “We saw work start to open Pacific Coast Highway and finished major storm drain renovations.”

Diehl said 1994 also saw a smooth transfer from a city fire department to the county system. A similar turnover of city police services to the county last year continued to go well, he said.

The county bankruptcy filing that froze San Clemente’s $35-million share in the county investment pool was a black spot, Diehl acknowledged. “It was sad to see the turmoil, not only for San Clemente, but for agencies throughout Orange County and maybe the whole country,” he said.

But overall, 1994 was a “very good era of transition,” Diehl said. “It was an opportunity in San Clemente to see what local government can do for people.”