SOAPBOX THE VILLAGE VOICE: By Wayne Eggleston
One Man’s Look at the Candidates A changing city requires knowledge of the issues
I
was on the city council for 12 years, elected three times, so I have a perspective of what qualities make for a good and a dedicated councilmember. Putting residents first and listening to their concerns is paramount. Over the last few years we have had open space issues and a plan to build a commercial development on our beachfront, on land seized by eminent domain, to be used for public benefit (beachfront park and parking). Any candidate running for elected office must have gone through these issues in order to even be considered a viable candidate. Otherwise, they are “Mikes’ come lately material.” Chris Hamm, our local hometown man, born and raised in San Clemente, is a firefighter stationed in San Clemente. He knows what village character really means and is on the General Plan Advisory Committee, appointed by city council, guiding our city’s vision. He speaks from his heart and has been through all the above issues. He as fought for our beaches, water
quality, open space, and keeping our beachfronts free from commercial development. Chris Hamm is second on the ballot, but first for our residents. Bob Baker, former Navy pilot and commerWayne Eggleston cial airline pilot, is #1. Forget the other Bob Baker zero, as this was a fraudulent ploy by a developer to confuse voters. Dirty politics in our small town! Bob Baker #1 is a fiscal watchdog for your precious tax dollars and will not put up with government intrusion into your lives. The opposition has placed hit advertisements in newspapers with his voting record. Baker #1 takes this as a badge of honor as it demonstrates the above qualities. Baker #1 has lived through all the above issues and has been with the majority of residents time after time. Bob Baker #1 is last on the ballot, first for San Clemente. Mike Mortenson, a business lawyer
from the East Coast and Los Angeles, moved to San Clemente 2 1/2 years ago and resides in Talega. He seems to have one mantra—local businesses, more businesses. He supports local businesses so much; he bought his campaign signs in Santa Ana. You may have seen his signs on the Marblehead outlet site owned by the same developer who also owns the Citadel Outlet, the one with the monster digital signs along the 5 freeway. It seems reasonable to assume that those who place their signs in this location may be favorably disposed to vote for large monster signs along our freeway. He refuses to answer this issue. He has stated that he wishes to represent Talega, but we do not have district elections, as city council members represent all residents in every neighborhood. Seems like a recipe for dividing the community. Mortenson is infamous for dancing around issues and doing a two-step depending upon the audience he is speaking to. His stock answer is that
Letters to the Editor STOKED ON STOKE-O-RAMA DON KINDRED, San Clemente
The Friends of San Clemente Beaches Parks and Recreation Foundation would like to give a shout-out to the entire Gudauskas family and their loyal tribe of surf contest organizers for the first ever Stoke-o-Rama, which was held at T Street beach on September 15. The contest easily accomplished it’s original goal of “Fun for the kids, funds for the Foundation.” Along with the sponsors; Vans, Jacks, Skullcandy and Channel Islands Surfboards this premiere grom event raised over $10,000 for the Friends of San Clemente and provided a memorable day on the beach for about a 100 young surfers. Entrants paid no entrance fee but made off with a goodiebag filled with the likes of Vans shoes and Skullcandy headphones. Winners received custom Channel Islands Surfboards. They also enjoyed a rare chance to surf with top professional surfers including Kelly Slater, who made a guest appearance at the afternoon expression session. The event was the brain child of three local, professional surfers, Dane, Patrick and Tanner Gudauskas who wanted to give back to their community on the very beach where they grew up surfing. The family worked almost two years to make the contest a reality, with the brothers designing the T-shirts, creating the handmade trophies and of providing our youth with positive role models. San Clemente Times October 11–17, 2012
he will weigh all sides of the issue, using words like cost-base analysis and mathematics—sounds like “lawyer speak” to me. Recently he stated that businesses are the anchors of San Clemente. No, Mr. Mortenson, the 68,000 residents are the anchors of this community, along with businesses. Businesses are vitally important and we all need to shop and dine in San Clemente. Mortenson has never lived through the issues like Hamm and Baker, living here 2 1/2 years. Mortenson is a developer’s candidate. We have a very clear distinction this election. Support those who have lived through the issues and have a vision of protecting, preserving and improving this unique city or destroy what we have with a vision of Huntington Beach South. Vote wisely, as our town depends upon it. SC PLEASE NOTE: The opinions offered here are solely those of the guest columnist and may or may not be shared by the San Clemente Times staff. We appreciate, however, their willingness to share their views, and we invite responses to be sent to letters@ sanclementetimes.com.
YOU’RE INVITED!
As “Friends” President Tom Wicks said simply at the end of the day, “Everybody was stoked!“ Great work. Thank you.
to be open and thorough in making them. If Rod and I see you about town, give a shout-out for Mike.
THEY LIKE MIKE
VOTE FOR CANDIDATES OF COMPASSION
BARBARA ROJAS, San Clemente
CHRISTY MACBRIDE-HART, San Clemente
My husband Rod Rojas and I had the opportunity September 27 to meet Mike Mortenson and wish to openly endorse his candidacy to the San Clemente City Council. Mike, as a graduate of the University of Virginia, works as a lawyer and has government experience having worked in the DC office of the Speaker of the House. Mike grew up in California and has a 30-year relationship with San Clemente, coming here to surf whenever possible. He now lives in Talega with his family and continues to surf. He expressed a deep commitment for what San Clemente stands for, and we are so very fortunate to have a young voice of his caliber to help direct the future of our town. My husband and I have lived in San Clemente for 35 years and we are dedicated to the character of our town including a healthy business community as part of the total village concept. Mike recognizes that San Clemente is unique in Orange County with respect to having a downtown, and the importance of keeping the downtown healthy. He stated that we may not agree with every decision he makes, but he promised
On April 5, 2011, Bob Baker 1 voted “No” to building a handicapped bathroom at Courtney’s Sandcastle. Before the vote he said, “Let’s put some temporary restroom facilities in there.” He also said, “I can’t in good conscience recommend that we write this kind of check,” even though there was $2.7 million already budgeted for changes to the park. Bob Baker expected the parent of a child so handicapped that they require an adult-sized changing table to walk about 230 feet to the bathroom inside the Aquatics Center, and then use one of the stalls. He expected the parent of the child whose call of nature is urgent to take that child 230 feet in hopes of avoiding an accident. If Bob Baker’s “No” vote had prevailed, those parents would have avoided Courtney’s Sandcastle and our universal playground would not have been universal. I find his “No” vote cold-hearted and mean. My preference is a councilperson that can balance fiscal responsibility with compassion, the bottom line with common sense. That’s why my votes will go to Jim Dahl and Mike Mortenson.
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8 a.m. Friday, October 19
at Café Calypso Please join us the first and third Friday of every month for our open community forum.
GRADING THE CANDIDATES SUSAN WHITE, San Clemente
I attended the San Clemente Historical Society City Council Candidate Forum on Sunday. As with most debates there were winners and losers. From my perspective there were two winners: 1 Bob Baker, running for re-election, was clear and concise on the issues. Chris Hamm was well prepared and spoke confidently. The big loser was Jim Dahl. He lost his temper, scolded the audience at times and rambled a lot. As a retired teacher I gave Mike Mortenson an incomplete. He talked a lot about analyzing things on a “case-by-case basis.” That seems to be a recipe for more of the same: Partisan bickering and losing lawsuits. Pretty much what you’d expect from a lawyer who’s lived here just over two years. Dave Clegg seems like a nice fellow; he’s running on the price of water. It was time well spent learning about the candidates running in the election on November 6. I’ll get my “vote by mail” (Cont. on page 21) www.sanclementetimes.com