CITY GUIDE : CYPRESS

Mayor Tom Carroll

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired business executive

First elected: November 1994

Term expires: November 1998

Key issues: Public safety is priority, including police, fire and public works; supports having “town hall-type of sessions that are less structured and are where people could freely speak about things they are concerned about”; would like to form “a strategic financial plan to bring in the revenue” needed.

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Ann Jones

Age: 47

Occupation: Banker

First elected: 1994

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: Redevelopment of Lincoln Avenue and Wicker Drive properties; promote economic development in the city by “encouraging and keeping businesses we have and helping bring in new businesses”; maintain housing and make low-interest loans for home repairs available to lower-income families.

Councilman Walter K. Bowman

Age: 59

Occupation: Real estate broker

First elected: 1990; reelected 1994

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: Coping with crime that spills over to Cypress from neighboring cities; finding solutions to juvenile delinquency; working to redevelop and revitalize Lincoln Avenue.

Councilwoman Anna Piercy

Age: 54

Occupation: Teacher

First elected: 1996

Term expires: 2000

Key issues: Redevelopment of Lincoln Avenue and Wicker Drive properties to “help get rid of crime areas”; research possibility of using city-owned Wicker Drive property for an arts center; work to get a skateboard facility for youths in a community park.

Councilman Tim Keenan

Age: 44

Occupation: Business owner

First elected: 1996

Term expires: 2000

Key issues: “The economy has picked up, and there is a lot of growth potential. Cypress should capture as much of its share as possible”; keep the city on the “cutting edge” of economic growth and development; focus on public safety to deal with crime and gangs coming into Cypress from neighboring cities; increase citizen involvement in city government.

Other Key Officials

City Manager: Mark J. Ochenduszko

Age: 42

Time in office: 13 months

City Attorney: William Wynder

Age: 47

Time in office: One month

Police Chief: Daryl Wicker

Age: 51

Time in office: With Cypress Police Department 29 years; chief since 1989

Fire Services: Provided by the Orange County Fire Authority

How to Reach Them

Council meets: Second and fourth Mondays, 7 p.m., at Civic Center, 5275 Orange Ave.

Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Telephone: (714) 229-6688

Fax: (714) 229-0154

Factoids

Motto: Education--Cooperation--Progress

Flower: Golden chrysanthemum

Incorporated: 1956

Population: 46,300

Legislative districts:

Parts of 39th Congressional District and 45th Congressional District ;

67th Assembly District ;

35th state Senatorial District

Operating budget: $21.9 million in fiscal 1996-97

Number of employees: 188, including park district

Highest-paid employee: City manager, $116,148 a year

Council perks: $510 monthly stipend, plus an additional $30 per meeting if co-acting as a Redevelopment Commission meeting; $40 per month for Redevelopment Commission expenses, and $125 a month for car allowance.

--RESEARCHED BY JULIO V. CANO