Council Candidates’ Goal Is Motto: Keep the City ‘a Nice Place to Live’

Major change is less of an issue for most of the eight candidates vying for four council seats in the Nov. 3 election.

More at issue, they say, is staying true to the city motto: “A Nice Place to Live.” One candidate even proposes a grander fountain than the one at City Hall, to better represent the city’s namesake.

This year the races are for terms of two lengths.

Three seats will have four-year terms. For those seats, incumbents Laurann Cook, John J. Collins and Guy Carrozzo face newcomers Marie Hulett, a county animal-control worker, and Frank Perdicaro, a software professional and computer expert.

Cook, who is mayor, proposes a planned-growth strategy to strengthen the city’s economic base and rejuvenate neighborhoods. Collins said he favors neighborhood preservation programs and efforts to improve public safety. Carrozzo said he wants more senior citizen housing and better traffic flow.

Perdicaro calls on City Hall to approve fewer ordinances and repeal unnecessary ones. The candidate, a newcomer to political activities, declined to elaborate on which ordinances should go.

Hulett said she wants to increase community involvement at City Hall and encourage new businesses, such as “nice restaurants and entertainment.”

In the remaining race, three candidates seek to serve the final two years of the term held by James D. Petrikin, who resigned.

One candidate, Fountain Valley School District Trustee Larry R. Crandall, said he wants state-of-the-art equipment for police and firefighters and a push to revitalize the city’s infrastructure.

Jim Fournier, former staff member for Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) and vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, favors top-flight training and equipment for public safety, as well as enhancing youth and senior citizen programs.

Douglas Henry, the candidate who wants a grander fountain, is president of the New Chase Condominiums Homeowners He wants the city to retain and attract businesses and annex county-controlled areas within city limits.

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Fountain Valley Candidates

CITY COUNCIL

RACE ONE (three, four-year terms)

Guy Carrozzo (i)

Age: 66

Occupation: Councilman

Background: Retired teacher and principal; Korean War veteran

Issues: Public safety; provide more affordable housing for senior citizens and build a senior center; improve traffic flow

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Laurann Cook (i)

Age: 49

Occupation: Mayor

Background: President of the Orange County League of Cities; Orange County Transportation Authority board member; Child Abuse Prevention Program coordinator

Issues: Maintain public safety; strengthen city’s economic base; promote a planned growth strategy and rejuvenate neighborhoods

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John J. Collins (i)

Age: 54

Occupation: Mayor pro tem, businessman

Background: Former president of Chamber of Commerce; Orange County Sanitation District Board of Directors; Business Opportunity Council of California president; a

founder of Boys and Girls Club

Issues: Continue to strengthen public safety programs; neighborhood preservation; improve infrastructure

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Marie Hulett

Age: 36

Occupation: Lieutenant with Orange County Animal Control.

Background: Parents Auxiliary League president; Minority Health Task Force for Orange County Health Care Agency; served on the Africanized Bee Commission, a county task force

Issues: Increase community involvement in local government; ensure city lives up to motto, “A Nice Place to Live”; encourage new business

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Frank Perdicaro

Age: 32

Occupation: Software professional

Background: Fountain Valley Police Department volunteer; hosts foreign exchange students

Issues: Favors elimination of vehicle registration taxes; advocates passing fewer “unreasonable laws” and repealing “unreasonable ordinances”

RACE TWO (one, two-year term)

Larry R. Crandall

Age: 49

Occupation: Fountain Valley School District trustee, private investigator

Background: Fountain Valley resident for 24 years; Vietnam War veteran

Issues: Equip police and firefighters with state-of-the-art equipment; improve city’s infrastructure; provide more youth programs; build a senior center

Jim Fournier

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired Coast Guard officer and congressional staff member.

Background: Former chief of staff and district representative for Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach); Chamber of

Commerce executive vice president

Issues: Make sure public safety forces have the best resources to do their work, including top training equipment; pay attention to youth and senior citizen issues; make sure Fountain Valley remains “A Nice Place to Live”

Douglas Henry

Age: 37

Occupation: Data communications specialist

Background: President of New Chase Condominiums Homeowners Assn.; work experience in global air transportation

Issues: Annex unincorporated county islands within city limits; build a fountain grander than the one at City Hall; retain and attract businesses

Researched by JOHN CANALIS / For The Times