Haines an Advocate for Young Families : Oak Park: Attorney will join Municipal Advisory Council in December, vowing to keep quality of life intact for next generation.

Todd Haines won his first election the easy way--by default.

Haines, 32, and incumbent George Anterasian were the only candidates for the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council on the November ballot for the two open seats. So the county appointed them both to four-year terms, saving the county the cost of the election.

When he assumes his seat Dec. 1, Haines said he will be a spokesman for the community’s young families.

Haines, a regulatory attorney, decided to pursue a political career after the birth of his daughter, Kelsey.

“When my daughter was born in 1994, it changed by perception of what my role is in the community,” Haines said. “On the MAC, there was really no one close to my age. I grew up in Tarzana, and as the area got older, support of the schools got less.”

Haines moved to Oak Park 2 1/2 years ago with his wife, Nicole, in search of good schools and a community spirit. He wants to maintain that as his children grow older.

“I just want to make sure that our kids get the same part of Oak Park that the kids who are now going to Oak Park High have,” he said.

Haines is an associate at the Law Offices of Raymond Greenberg in Calabasas. He received his law degree from McGeorge Law School in Sacramento and his undergraduate degree from UC San Diego.

Haines vied for a seat on the council in March, when county Supervisor Frank Schillo had to appoint members for two empty seats. Businessman Douglas Hewitson and mortgage broker Chuck Monico won those seats.

While on the council, Haines hopes to pursue the perennial quest for a separate Oak Park ZIP code, obtain a full-time patrol car for the community without raising taxes, build a new library and determine whether a cellular tower planned for the library roof is safe.

But his biggest challenge, he said, will be teaching residents about the council, which consists of five members who advise Schillo about the community’s concerns.

“When I was gearing up for the campaign, my first step was always having to explain what the MAC is,” he said. “People don’t know that they can come here and share their concerns.”

As for his further political aspirations, Haines said he will concentrate on Oak Park for now.

“I’m interested in Oak Park because that’s where my family is.”