Laguna Niguel City Council Race

The following candidates are vying for three seats on the Laguna Niguel City Council in the Nov. 3 election:

Paul M. Christiansen

Age: 41

Occupation: Incumbent; stock broker

Background: Elected to Laguna Niguel Community Service District in 1986; elected to City Council in 1989; currently serves on city’s Environmental Review Board.

Issues: Favors rezoning property from residential to commercial use to boost economy only if neighboring residents feel it is appropriate; has “personal reservations” about the San Joaquin Hills toll road but signed contract as Community Service District member supporting it; favors campaign contribution limit of $150.

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Janet Godfrey

Age: 46

Occupation: Schoolteacher

Background: Worked as liaison between regular classroom teacher and special education students for Garden Grove Unified School District.

Issues: Might favor rezoning to encourage commercial development to boost city’s economy; opposes San Joaquin Hills toll road; favors campaign contribution limit of $150 for incumbents and $200 for others, total caps of $15,000 for incumbents and $20,000 for others.

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Mark Goodman

Age: 38

Occupation: Senior transportation adviser/executive assistant to County Supervisor Thomas F. Riley

Background: Laguna Niguel Traffic Commission chairman, 1990; alternate director for Foothill/Eastern and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agencies, past six years; member of Orange County Water Task Force and Laguna Canyon Road Consensus Committee.

Issues: Opposes rezoning residential property to commercial use to increase tax revenues; favors toll roads; supports $250 campaign contribution limit.

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Ronald D. Halpern

Age: 43

Occupation: Attorney

Background: Served as World Trade Center Assn. of Orange County secretary, 1983-84; former Orange County Municipal Court judge pro tem; awarded Orange County Bar Assn. “Liberty Bell” in 1991 for community service.

Issues: Would not support rezoning residential property to commercial use to boost city revenue “without careful study”; opposes San Joaquin Hills corridor “in principle” but believes it may be needed due to “rampant development”; favors campaign contribution limit of $150.

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Steele Morris

Age: 59

Occupation: President of Retail Business Systems, a data processing center

Background: Member of Laguna Niguel Homeowners Assn. for 25 years.

Issues: Favors rezoning from residential to commercial use to boost economy if backed by city voters; no position on toll roads; opposes all campaign contributions.

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Eric Paradise (Moving out of the city, dropped out of the race)

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Larry A. Porter

Age: 52

Occupation: Incumbent; investment broker

Background: Served on city Traffic Commission, Environmental Review Board and Sports and Senior Advisory committees; elected to City Council in 1989.

Issues: Would consider rezoning from residential to commercial use to boost economy; favors San Joaquin Hills toll road; favors campaign contribution limit of $500.

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Louis A. Rondinelli

Age: 59

Occupation: Retired investment banker/management consultant

Background: Served on Beacon Hills Planned Community Assn. board; started research and development firm in 1967.

Issues: Supports rezoning residential property for commercial use to boost city’s economy only if neighboring residents are not opposed to the proposal; opposes San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor and toll roads in general; favors campaign contribution limit of $200.

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Eddie Rose

Age: 54

Occupation: Engineer, aerospace industry

Background: Was active in an effort to achieve Laguna Niguel cityhood; City Council candidate, 1989; led unsuccessful drive to recall four City Council members.

Issues: Opposes rezoning property from residential to commercial to boost revenues; opposes toll roads; favors campaign contribution limit of $100, cap of $10,000 total.

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Michael R. Weinell

Age: 38

Occupation: Special education teacher, Capistrano Unified School District

Background: American Youth Soccer Organization and T-ball coach; involved with Indian Guides and Special Olympics; Laguna Niguel Parade Committee member, 1992.

Issues: Favors rezoning to encourage commercial development, depending on where and the neighborhood response; opposes San Joaquin Hills corridor; favors campaign contribution limit of $250.

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Thomas W. Wilson

Age: 52

Occupation: Incumbent; project manager, Rockwell International

Background: Member of the Assn. of Contingency Planners since mid-1980s; Laguna Niguel Community Council president 1988-89; elected to City Council in 1989.

Issues: Would consider rezoning from residential to commercial to boost city’s economy; favors San Joaquin Hills tollway; undecided on campaign contribution limit issue.