Placentia City Council Candidates
Eight candidates, including three incumbents, are seeking three City Council seats at stake in Placentia. A quick look at the contenders:
Stephen W. Bradford
Age: 81
Occupation: Mining surveyor and engineer, business owner
Background: Experience in engineering and mining industries
Major issues: Curb city spending and taxes; upgrade environmental standards to reduce smog; improve water quality
Charles B. Chamberlain
Age: 34
Occupation: Risk manager
Background: Board member, Alternatives to Living in a Violent Environment, a domestic violence and child abuse organization; Placentia Chamber of Commerce member
Major issues: Restructuring city budget to save money; changing the way services are provided by instituting a competitive service program; forming “citizen empowerment groups” to study city problems
Johannes “John” Hoevers
Age: 36
Occupation: Senior account manager
Background: Former cultural arts commissioner; resident since 1987
Major issues: Eliminate city’s 4% utility tax; improve council responsiveness to residents; increase number of businesses to raise city revenues
James Itow
Age: 51
Occupation: Facilities manager for Orange County Superior Court
Background: Retired U.S. Army reserve, 30 years; West Placentia Little League member; 16-year resident
Major issues: Improve city services; coordinate public services with school districts, library, senior citizens programs; eliminate government waste and fiscal abuse
Michael L. Maertzweiler
Age: 54
Occupation: Cost analyst for an aerospace company
Background: Incumbent; Placentia Police
Department reserve officers for 11 years; former planning commissioner
Major issues: Supports conservative growth and managing services for residents to ensure road maintenance, manicured parks, public safety and clean streets; wants police and fire services to be highest priority
Maria Moreno
Age: 42
Occupation: Educator and businesswoman
Background: Incumbent; chairwoman of Orange County Housing Commission; member of Placentia Chamber of Commerce and Placentia coalition, YMCA Communities in Prevention-North, whose goal is to reduce problems related to alcohol, tobacco and drug use
Major issues: Increase council responsiveness to residents’ and business concerns; reduce crime through enhanced police visibility and patrols; allow new taxes and tax increases to be decided by voters
John O. Tynes
Age: 79
Occupation: Retired educator
Background: Incumbent; city resident since 1944; supporter of city recreation programs since 1946; former teacher and coach at Valencia High School; superintendent of Placentia Unified School District, 1971-1979
Major issues: Recreation programs to keep youngsters from being involved in gangs and drugs; more police officers; repair streets, curbs and gutters; attract new businesses to increase city’s tax base; replace park equipment to increase safety
Constance “Connie” Underhill
Age: 54
Occupation: Administrative assistant/project coordinator
Background: Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, 1987; Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustee, 1990-1992; resident since 1981
Major issues: Restore property values by reducing crime, including eliminating gangs, drug dealers and graffiti; attract tenants to empty strip mall stores; increase recreational programs for all ages
Source: Individual candidates
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.