5 of 6 Candidates Favor Big Tourism Proposals

Of the half-dozen contenders seeking a seat on the City Council next month, all but one support monumental expansion projects to add a second Disney theme park and nearly double the size of the Anaheim Convention Center.

Their reasoning? The projects would raise money for city services, stimulate the local economy and bolster Anaheim’s standing in the competitive tourism and convention industries.

The contenders for two open council seats in the Nov. 5 election also seek to reduce crime, revitalize deteriorating neighborhoods and keep from raising taxes.

The candidates, raising campaign sums ranging from a few thousand dollars to more than $100,000, include: Councilman Frank Feldhaus, trying for a second, four-year term; appointed Councilman Tom Tait; community activist Curtis A. Stricker, and longtime resident Dan Stuckert.

The field also includes first-time candidate Lucille Kring and Shirley McCracken, who placed third out of 16 candidates in 1994.

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The only woman in the city’s history to garner a council spot is Miriam Kaywood, who in 1990 lost reelection to her seat after serving 16 years.

In this year’s small field of candidates, Stricker, an unsuccessful aspirant in the mayor’s race two years ago, is the only candidate strongly opposed to the proposed $1.4-billion Disneyland expansion.

The massive project would add another theme park, hotel and retail and entertainment center. The city is proposing to pay for road, sewer and other improvements related to the expansion primarily through hotel taxes and other sources.

Stricker, 68, is one of the organizers of Homeowners Maintaining Their Environment, or HOME, a group critical of Disney projects.

“I think Disney can expand, but not on the backs of taxpayers,” he said. “After it’s all said and done, the success of Disney would be the same and they’d be a lot better off if they paid their own way.”

Stricker advocates spending tax money on projects that will benefit residents, such as fixing streets and sidewalks, and placing less emphasis on tourism and professional sports.

Feldhaus, 68, on the other hand, favors the Disneyland and convention center projects because they will generate tax dollars to help provide city services, including more police and repaired streets.

“If the development and financing agreement can all be accomplished for the betterment of both parties and with no taxes to the residents, it will be a big boon to the city,” Feldhaus said.

Feldhaus’ other goals are to clean up neighborhoods and rid them of crime, graffiti and panhandlers; monitor overcrowded housing conditions in certain pockets of the city, and cut down on crime.

Kring, 53, said her top issue is reducing crime, and she supports increasing the size of the police force.

“Crime is out of control,” Kring said, adding there are too many gangs and too few police.

“People feel that certain areas in town are not safe and they won’t go to certain areas to shop or go out at night. The public safety of Anaheim is my first concern.”

She also champions the Disney project to enhance growth.

“It will bring in new jobs and tourism,” she said. “If the city does not grow and expand, it will be stagnant and go backward.”

McCracken, 59, wants to refurbish older areas and business districts, particularly the resort area.

“If we continue to improve neighborhoods, the undesirable element moves on,” she said.

McCracken also is concerned about completing downtown redevelopment projects, which began in the 1970s.

“It’s been left with piecemeal construction and it’s real frustrating for the community. Residents want a plan that’s uniquely Anaheim. They don’t want to wait another 10 to 15 years for it to happen.”

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Political newcomer Stuckert, 53, is also known as “Biker Dan” because of his preoccupation with Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He wants to restore “dignity and decorum” to the council and other city commissions.

“I want less government,” he said, “and more control by the people. . . . I will listen to the people, and, have them tell me what they want. What else is government for if it isn’t for the people?”

Tait, 38, was unanimously selected by the council in January 1995, after weeks of debate over who should complete Mayor Tom Daly’s council term.

When Daly was elected to the mayor’s post in the 1994 race, he had to give up his council seat in the middle of his term.

For Tait, his priority is “squarely on public safety” and he is a staunch supporter of restoring Immigration and Naturalization Service agents at Anaheim City Jail. He also wants “officers to do more police work on the street and less paperwork. I also want to make sure that officers are supported with state-of-the-art technology.”

With a council vote pending Tuesday on the Disneyland expansion project, Tait said he has not taken a final position, but favors the concept.

“I can see the large number of tourist and convention dollars coming to the city, which ultimately will result in general fund revenue to be directed toward public safety concerns,” Tait said.

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The Contenders

Six candidates, including two incumbents, are seeking two City Council seats in Anaheim. A quick look at all six:

Frank Feldhaus

Age: 68

Occupation: Incumbent; businessman

Background: Former planning commissioner and redevelopment commissioner; 35-year member of Anaheim Chamber of Commerce; member of Public Safety Committee, League of California Cities; former reserve police officer; former elementary school teacher’s aide

Major issues: Continue to work on eliminating graffiti, panhandling, shopping carts in neighborhoods; reducing crime; improving west Anaheim by promoting lower-density housing

Lucille Kring

Age: 53

Occupation: Human resources consultant

Background: Member of a federal grand jury; board member of Anaheim Chamber of Commerce; board member of American Cancer Society in Orange County; local president of Toastmasters International Club; religious education teacher

Major issues: Enhance public safety by increasing police presence; make better use of police resources

Shirley McCracken

Age: 59

Occupation: Educator

Background: Member of Anaheim Budget Advisory Commission; president of Anaheim Arts Council; member of American Assn. of University Women; auditor for Orange District of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs

Major issue: Reduce crime in

neighborhoods by promoting youth activities and programs in parks citywide

Curtis A. Stricker

Age: 68

Occupation: Semiretired business executive

Background: Past president and board member of Anaheim HOME (Homeowners Maintaining Their Environment), a group critical of the Disneyland expansion and other projects

Major issues: Opposes any tax not approved by two-thirds vote of the public; opposes Measure B, a city measure asking whether the hotel bed tax should remain at 15%

Dan Stuckert

Age: 53

Occupation: Former businessman

Background: Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish club; resident since 1965

Major issues: Restore dignity and decorum at city meetings; keep a close watch on city costs

Tom Tait

Age: 38

Occupation: Appointed councilman; president of engineering and environmental consulting company

Background: Former city planning commissioner; former city budget commission member; board member of Anaheim YMCA; master’s degree and law degree from Vanderbilt University

Major issues: Put more police officers on street; make Police Department more efficient through use of newest technology

Source: Individual candidates