Four pull papers for council candidacy

Three seats on the Laguna Beach City Council will be up for grabs

in November.

Only four people have taken the initial step for candidacy by

pulling nominating papers and only two of them had completed the

process, as of Wednesday

Wastewater Advisory Committee member and Vision Laguna participant

Melissa O’Neal was the first to pull papers and the first to file.

She lists her profession as water/wastewater consultant with business

interests in California and Arizona. This will be her first campaign

for city-wide office.

Incumbent Steven Dicterow was the second to file. Dicterow, an

attorney with business outside the country, will be seeking a third

term.

“The signatures on their papers have been checked and they are

both bona fide candidates,” said City Clerk Verna Rollinger, in whose

office the papers are filed.

Incumbent Toni Iseman and former Planning Commissioner Elizabeth

Pearson pulled their papers, but had not filed as of 4 p.m.

Iseman is a community college councilor and self-styled political

junkie. If elected, this would be her second term. As mayor pro tem

this year, she would be in line for the mayor’s seat.

Pearson was a council candidate in 2000. She was endorsed by

Dicterow. Pearson spent almost $40,000, more if independent

expenditures are included, in 2000.

Her unofficial expenditures were second only to winning candidate

Cheryl Kinsman’s total expenditures of about $60,000 and considerably

more than the $25,000 that Mayor Wayne Baglin spent to regain the

seat he lost in the previous election to Iseman.

The deadline to file nominating papers is today, unless an

incumbent fails to file. In that case, the deadline will be extended

to Aug. 14 for non-incumbents only.

Councilman Paul Freeman has said he will not run for a third term.

After the Aug. 14 deadline, the only way to get elected would be

as a write-in candidate.

Write-in candidates can pull nominating papers starting Sept. 9.

The filing deadline is Oct. 22. Signatures must be verified and a

statement of economic interest filed.

“However, neither their names or their candidate’s statement will

be on the ballot,” Rollinger said.

All candidates must file campaign expenditure statements by Sept.

26, covering through Sept. 21; file again by Oct. 24, covering

through Oct 19. Any contributions or expenditures of $1,000 or more

must be filed within 24 hours.

Elected officials who earn more than $100 a month from the city

and political action committees also must file semi-annual financial

statements. The most recent was due July 31

The City Council election is scheduled for Nov. 5, consolidated

with the statewide general election. Voter registration closes Oct.

21. Voters may request vote-by-mail ballots, starting Oct. 7.

-- Barbara Diamond

For the benefit of Joe Masella

On Aug. 22 [seven-degrees] of Sound is hosting a benefit for

10-year-old Joe Masella.

Masella suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa, a group of disorders

that involves the skin and mucous membranes.

A common feature of the disorders is the formation of blisters.

Masella’s was born with his form of EB, recessive dystrophic. In

some cases, nearly all skin surfaces and all mucous membranes are

covered by blisters. Large areas also can be devoid of skin. Fingers

and toes may become immobile or fingers and toes can fuse together.

The esophagus can become scarred resulting in difficulty in

swallowing.

Tickets for the benefit are $35. [seven-degrees] is at 891 Laguna

Canyon Road. Information: www.seven-degrees.com.

Swanson named to city post

Richard Swanson has been appointed director of administrative

services for Laguna Beach effective Aug. 12.

The position was vacated by Ken MacLeod when he became fire chief.

Swanson is currently manager of management services with the Orange

County Assessor’s Office. His responsibilities have included the

department’s budget, strategic planning, human resources and

purchasing.

Swanson has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Cal State

Fullerton. He and his wife live in Laguna Niguel.