Candidates Turn Focus to Closure of El Toro

With the pending closure of the Tustin Marine Corps Helicopter Air Station next year, planning for its conversion is a major issue in the city’s municipal election March 26.

Five candidates are vying for three City Council seats, including the three incumbents: Mayor Jim Potts and council members Thomas R. Saltarelli and Jeffery M. Thomas.

Also seeking spots on the council are longtime residents Berklee Maughan, an accountant who ran unsuccessfully for a council seat in 1990; and Jane Anderson, a travel agency manager and political newcomer.

The candidates cite the air station’s closure as one of the most compelling issues facing the city.

Preliminary plans for the 1,620-acre base call for single-family housing, commercial and light industrial zones, parks and a school.

Though the Navy has final say on reuse of the property, each candidate said he or she has the leadership and management experience to ensure a smooth transition--but all cited different reasons.

Saltarelli and Thomas referred to their experience as chair and co-chair, respectively, of the Base Closure Task Force.

Anderson, however, said her three terms as president of her homeowners association have shown her that Tustin residents see housing density as the key issue. “I want to represent other homeowners . . . who don’t want to see any more apartments,” she said.

Potts said he chose to run as a team with Anderson and Maughan because he has clashed with Saltarelli and Thomas in the past. “The main issue the three of us are pushing is accountability of how [council members] have voted,” he said.

Maughan, who owns a real estate business and is an accountant, said his three decades of management experience and several years’ involvement in Tustin affairs give him an edge.

Also on the ballot March 26 will be Pamela S. Stoker, 29, who is running unopposed for city clerk. She was appointed last year after the retirement of longtime clerk Mary E. Wynn.

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Council Contenders

Five people are running in the March 26 election for three openings on the Tustin City Council. A look at the incumbents and their challengers:

THE INCUMBENTS

Jim Potts

Age: 42

Family: Married, three children

Occupation: Sergeant, Irvine Police Department

Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminology, Cal State Long Beach

Background: First elected to council in April 1990; former Orange County Sanitation Districts board member; current representative to Transportation Corridor Agencies

On the issues: “We need to reduce density in the city. If you look at what councils did in the past with density in east Tustin and other areas, you realize we have to quit giving in to developers or whoever has the money to give to the campaigns.”

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Thomas R. Saltarelli

Age: 48

Family: Married, two children

Occupation: Business and real estate attorney

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Penn State University; master’s degree in business administration, USC; doctorate in law, Western State University College of Law

Background: First elected to council in April 1992; chairman of Tustin Marine Corps Helicopter Air Station Base Closure Task Force; vice chairman of Orange County Fire Authority; chairman of Consolidated Orange County Sanitation Districts, District 14

On the issues: “Other than public safety, which is everyone’s No. 1 issue, my primary campaign issue is the closure of the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station. It’s the largest land-use issue that’s ever come before the city. It’s critical that we continue to focus on it, in order that we can ultimately achieve a successful project.”

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Jeffery M. Thomas

Age: 40

Family: Married, two children

Occupation: Vice president of an investment management firm

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, Cal State Fullerton; law degree, Western State University College of Law

Background: First elected to council in April 1992; co-chairman of Tustin’s Marine Corps Helicopter Air Station Base Closure Task Force; board member, Tustin Community Foundation

On the issues: “I believe the long-term effects of Orange County’s bankruptcy have yet to be uncovered and are just starting to occur. We haven’t seen the end of it yet. Much of the work still needs to be done and we need to make sure we can pay our bills and get through the bankruptcy in good order.”

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THE CHALLENGERS

Jane Anderson

Age: 51

Family: Married, one child, one grandchild

Occupation: Travel agency manager

Education: Graduate, Mater Dei High School

Background: Three-time president of the Sevilla Homeowners Assn.

On the issues: “One of my main concerns is crime. There has been an increase in gang activity over the years, and with the [Tustin Marine Corps Helicopter Air Station] closure and the development of Tustin Ranch, this city will double its population. We need to be prepared for whatever will be coming forth from that.”

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Berklee Maughan

Age: 58

Family: Single, two children, seven grandchildren

Occupation: Real estate company owner, accountant

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Brigham Young University

Background: Former producer and host of “Tustin Issues,” a local cable-TV talk show; founding member of citizen group that pushed for a term-limit ordinance in 1994; regular attendee of City Council, Planning Commission and other municipal meetings

On the issues: “The most important issue in this election is leadership. Tustin needs leadership not connected to special interests and their lobbyists. Old solutions and business-as-usual attitudes just don’t work anymore.”

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by JOHN POPE / For The Times