Get to know the candidates around town

Barbara Diamond

Jean Raun of the League of Women Voters will present pros and cons

of the ballot issues at 10 a.m. this morning at the Laguna Beach

Retirement Community, 2130 S. Coast Highway. The league is

non-partisan.

The meeting is open to the public. No reservations required.

A party will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday at Madison Square

Cafe and Garden to celebrate incumbent Steven Dicterow’s eight years

on the City Council. However, contributions toward his re-election

will be accepted.

“Everyone is invited,” Dicterow said. “There will be no cover

charge.”

The party is being hosted by cafe owner Jon Madison, gallery owner

Peter Blake, Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman, former Mayor Kathleen

Blackburn, Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda, Skip and Amy Jackson and

Sande St. John.

Top of the World Neighborhood Assn. board met Tuesday and voted to

endorse incumbent Toni Iseman and first-time candidate Melissa O’Neal

for City Council. Betsy Jenkins was unanimously endorsed for the

School Board.

TOWNA is composed of residents of Top of the World. The board’s

endorsement does not mean that a majority of the neighbors support

these candidates or that the TOWNA board unanimously supported them,

unless specified, according to a press release prepared by board

member Gene Felder.

The board focuses on neighborhood issues such as maintaining the

fire station on Alta Laguna Boulevard, open space, public safety,

traffic, opposition to El Toro Airport, reduction of noise from John

Wayne Airport flights, preservation of neighborhood character and

public views, according to Felder.

Candidates were selected for endorsement based on which ones would

be more likely to support the association’s goals.

TOWNA co-sponsored a forum Oct. 7 in the City Council Chamber with

Temple Hills Community Assn. THCA is not expected to make an

endorsement.

Voting absentee

Monday was the last day to register for this election. Only

registered voters are eligible to receive absentee ballots.

Absentee ballot application forms are included in the sample

ballots, which should have reached registered voters by now. Requests

for the ballots must include the name, address and signature of the

voter and the address to which the ballot is to be mailed.

The ballots may be dropped off at any polling place or cast by

mail, but must be received by the Registrar of Voters by Nov. 5.

For more information, call the city clerk’s office, 497-0705.