LAGUNA NIGUEL : Candidates Go Beyond El Toro Airport Battle

In a sparsely attended forum this week, eight candidates for two City Council seats agreed on one thing--they’ll do all they can to fight plans to locate a commercial or cargo airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

But during the hourlong forum at Shepherd of the Hills Church, the candidates also offered differing views on other issues from open space and crime to youth activities and local business patronage that the next City Council should consider.

Incumbent Councilwoman Patricia C. Bates, 54, told the audience of about 30 that she wants to continue the city’s fiscal conservatism and build on her record of creating more parks and expanding recreation classes.

Sandy Miller, a 53-year-old mortgage loan consultant, also emphasized the need for maintaining city revenue, especially by encouraging residents to shop locally and by creating a healthy business climate.

Former Councilman Paul M. Christiansen, 43, said he hopes to ensure the city doesn’t lose park and other funds to the county or state governments, which often use local money in balancing their own budgets.

Three other candidates, Richard Taylor, 52, Mary Ann F. Malamut, 35, and Planning Commissioner Linda Lindholm, 42, used the forum to reiterate their focus on youth.

Taylor wants to develop more local recreation activities for teen-agers and Malamut would like the city to work closely with schools and involve senior citizens in children’s lives.

Lindholm said she would take a close look at proposals such as skateboard parks for teen-agers, and that her approval of two child day-care centers while on the commission shows her dedication to young people and their parents.

Candidate Greg Cox, 46, a small-business owner, said he wants to create an economic development commission to attract more businesses and a youth commission to find ways to entertain youth.

Eddie Rose, a 56-year-old engineer who twice has run unsuccessfully for the council, blasted the current council for what he termed “cronyism” and “corruption,” saying he wants to return “integrity” to city government and protect the city’s open spaces.