Stanton Hints Current Term Will Be His Last : Public service: Orange County supervisor, a target of post-bankruptcy criticism, cites family commitments.

Orange County Supervisor Roger R. Stanton strongly hinted Wednesday that he will not run for reelection when his term ends in December, 1996, citing the demands of office since the bankruptcy and family commitments.

“In my last 15 months on the board, I’m going to give it 150 to 200% and then I’m going to relax,” Stanton said, refusing to say outright whether he intends to again seek the office he has held since 1980. “I’ve been working hard at this, and I intend to do it even better in my last 15 months. Read into that what you will.”

Stanton’s cryptic comments came just moments before Board of Supervisors Chairman Gaddi H. Vasquez formally left office, also blaming stress and the desire to spend more time with his family, and one day before Supervisor William G. Steiner is expected to be served with recall papers.

Vasquez, Stanton and Steiner have been primary targets of criticism for being at the helm when the county declared bankruptcy Dec. 6.

Since then, Stanton has also found himself at odds with other county officials, including board colleagues, about the county’s recovery plan. Stanton was in the board minority when he said he was echoing the will of the public by opposing Measure R, a half-cent sales tax increase to bail the county out of bankruptcy. The tax met with overwhelming defeat at the polls.

Stanton has also had a nasty tangle with former interim Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy, who ultimately asked the Orange County Grand Jury to consider removing Stanton from office. Many, however, saw the move as Popejoy’s attempt to pay Stanton back for opposing Measure R. The matter still is pending before the grand jury.

The flap was over Stanton’s suggestion that the county could rely on a $500-million settlement from Wall Street giant Merrill Lynch & Co., which is being sued by the county for allegedly playing a role in the bankruptcy. Merrill Lynch has denied any wrongdoing.

A recall effort was launched against Stanton during the early months of the bankruptcy but died after organizers found little support.

Stanton, who takes over as board chairman as Vasquez leaves, said his critics will have nothing to do with his decision.

“My response to that kind of stuff is to stay and fight,” Stanton said.

Stanton said his wife, Karen, went by the Hall of Administration on Wednesday to wish Vasquez well. She put her arms around Vasquez’s wife, Elaine, and said: “I envy you. You don’t know how much I envy you.”

Since the bankruptcy, many have said they consider Stanton politically vulnerable and are considering running for his seat, including Westminster Mayor Charles V. Smith.

Stanton offered this, perhaps for anyone seeking to replace him: “The scariest thing about running for reelection around here is winning.”