By Brian Park
The candidates for San Juan Capistrano City Council gathered as a group for the first time Thursday, during a meet-and-greet style event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at Sundried Tomato Café.
Residents, business owners and several current and former civic leaders were in attendance to speak with the candidates: incumbent Councilman Sam Allevato, former San Juan Capistrano mayor Roy Byrnes, Planning Commissioner Ginny Kerr, political newcomer Tom Marantz and Capistrano Common Sense editorial board member Kim McCarthy.
Melissa Abbott-Kaffen, who announced last week that she would be stepping aside to support Byrnes and McCarthy, was not in attendance. Abbott-Kaffen is still technically a candidate, and her name will remain on the ballot because the deadline to officially withdraw has passed. According to Abbott-Kaffen’s blog, she held her own question-and-answer reception at Marbella Country Club during the same time as the Chamber’s event.
After a brief cocktail hour, during which the candidates made themselves available to discuss their campaigns and answer questions, Chamber CEO Mark Bodenhamer introduced the candidates and welcomed them onto the steps to address the guests.
Instead of speaking in the order in which their names will appear on the November 6 ballot, the candidates’ names were drawn randomly by former San Juan Capistrano librarian Teri Garza.
After they each gave two-minute introductions, the candidates held up boards with three words they felt described San Juan Capistrano and were given another two minutes to explain their reasoning behind the words.
The Chamber also provided bound-pamphlets featuring their own set of questions, which were primarily geared toward local businesses, and the candidates’ responses.
“We don’t endorse candidates. In the absence of making an official recommendation, our goal is to get as much information out their to our businesses and the people who are interested in our local economy and let them make an informed decision,” Bodenhamer said.
The candidates’ responses to the Chamber’s questions can be found by calling 949.493.4700 or by email at info@sanjuanchamber.com.
Here are some of the candidates’ quotes, in the order in which they spoke:
Ginny Kerr
“We have a vibrant business community that we want to support. We have some issues. We have a water issue that we need to focus on, but it is improving. The same with the traffic issue. We have traffic, but in some ways that also shows that we are a vibrant city. I think we’d have a worse problem if we had no traffic.”
“We are the ‘Equestrian Capital of the West Coast,’ and there’s something very special about driving through our city and seeing horses and riders along the streets on their way to the golf course or to our multi-use trail system. Our horse show, rodeo and other equestrian events bring visitors into the city who patronize our local businesses.”
Roy Byrnes
“Scout’s honor, I will not serve more than three terms.”
“The city basically wants sales tax income. I’m concerned that in our quest for sales tax income, we have a tendency to draw in new businesses. We do this sometimes by tax credits, fee reductions and various other aggressive programs. I want to make sure that we don’t draw in businesses that will be competitive to the businesses that are represented by the long-standing business community of the Chamber.”
“I came on the City Council in 1972 and as mayor, I led the effort to control excessive growth. In December of 1975, I signed our first General Plan. That General Plan brought our population from 100,000 to 40,000. So we basically made San Juan into a bedroom community.”
Sam Allevato
“Right now the city is going through this economic recession we’ve had. I have to tell you, the last eight years have been challenging. Despite that: we’ve balanced the budget every year; our sales tax revenue is now increased to 12.8 percent this year over last year; we reduced the city staff by 19 positions; we’ve slashed our pension costs by raising the retirement age, lowering the benefit amount and having all of our employees, within two years, pay 100 percent of their employee contribution—this amounts to $175,00 the first year, and $350,000 a year thereafter. This is a tremendous step in the right direction to get our financial house in order.”
“The Chamber has been an excellent partner in bringing new businesses in here. We brought four new auto dealers to go into those vacant spots on Camino Capistrano. We reopened the theater, which has brought new energy and synergism. Downtown increased their sales tremendously by opening up the theater. We also have a one-stop show now at City Hall. You come in, the permit folks are there, the planning folks are there and the cashier is there. It’s all in one spot. We want to be, I want to be and the council should be business friendly and make government facilitate business, not be a hindrance to business.”
Tom Marantz
“I currently work as a technology administrator, but before that, I served as a Marine for eight years. I got to travel around the world and finished off rebuilding cities and towns in Iraq. I’ve run a couple small businesses in my life. I ran an IT firm, I did a couple Internet start-ups, and I ran a salon once. Being a small business owner gave me a good look into how cities work, what works and what cities can do to facilitate business.”
“We have a lot happening in our town, and a lot of the reasons why I’m running is because of our water issues and traffic. I’m an independent candidate. I have principles that I believe in, and I will work for the city. I believe in honesty, small efficient government, pragmatic decision-making and I come from a place that values cooperation and works to directly represent all our citizens and our business interests.”
Kim McCarthy
“I put myself through college in the city of Detroit at Wayne State University, while working in the day at Pontiac Motor Plant. I bought my first car—I’d like to say Corvette but it was a Chevette—and it cost $1,000. I also bought my own health care policy through Wayne State University. It was $500 and it covered me on a rainy day. I’m telling you this because I want you to know that I value a dollar. I’ve earned my own money. I’ve worked on commission for most of my positions … I’ve worked with a lot of retailers and small business owners, and I understand that there are issues and concerns that they have to deal with everyday.”
“I think the heart of this city is the residents and the retailers. Without the residents and without the retailers, we have no city. I’m running because I think the residents and the retailers have been overlooked. There are too many rules to go through to do business.”
“I believe that it’s time for a change. I’m really up for the task. I want you to know—the people who belong to the Chamber that have businesses here—that I am ready to sit down with you and talk about what would make your job easier and what would make you more money in this town. And as far as the residents go, I’m one of you and I’m on your side.”
