Council takes a step to the right
Barbara Diamond
The election Tuesday of incumbents Toni Iseman and Steven Dicterow
and former planning commissioner Elizabeth Pearson moved the City
Council to the right, putting it squarely in the middle of the road,
according to some political pundits, but a little over the edge,
according to other folks.
Iseman, the top vote-getter in the preliminary count, will soon to
be the only council member never to have been endorsed by the Laguna
Beach Taxpayers Assn. and the council’s only Democrat when Paul
Freeman retires from public office in December.
“The average voter looks for guidance and in this election, they
looked to the taxpayers,” political activist Frank Ricchiazzi said.
“When you look at who the taxpayers endorsed and who Village Laguna
endorsed, it is obvious who is more in touch with the mainstream
voters.
“I really and truly wanted Elizabeth on the council,” he said. “I
supported her two years ago and I have never wavered. She and Cheryl
and Steve will work well together.
“Clearly, this moves the council more to the middle. I think what
you will see is a council with more concern about our tax dollars and
where they spend it.”
Ricchiazzi opined that had O’Neal joined with Dicterow and Pearson
as a slate, she would have won.
“The election results don’t repudiate Toni Iseman’s philosophy or
ideas,” former Mayor Ann Christoph said. “To me, it means name
recognition counts for 95%. But I do think we can expect a shift to
the right.
“There are a couple of Elizabeth’s positions that I don’t agree
with, such as easier requirements for applicants at Design Review
Board meetings,” she said.
However, no candidate had a mandate in this election. It was one
of the closest in Laguna’s history. Only 329 votes separated Iseman
from O’Neal in the tally announced Wednesday.
Past experience shows that sitting on the council gives one a
different perspective than when running for office. Preconceived
notions about staff or procedures can undergo change. And practical
matters, such as a budget depleted by disaster or state depredations
can revise a council member’s wish list in a hurry.
“No matter who gets on the council, they are faced with
constraints and difficulties and their positions become more
moderate,” Christoph said.
Despite philosophical differences, there was consensus among the
candidates on numerous issues.
All of the winners, as well as fourth-place finisher Melissa
O’Neal, campaigned on a reduction of pollution on city shores and
traffic congestion.
They all supported improvements in infrastructure and preservation
of neighborhood character.
“I think that the implementation of the downtown parking and
traffic study will be a main focus of the new council,” said planning
commissioner Norm Grossman, who directed Dicterow’s bid for a third
consecutive term on the council. “It affects all the capital projects
in town.
“But I expect it will take the council awhile to find its voice.
The situation with [Mayor Wayne Baglin] will make it more difficult.”
Baglin was indicted Oct. 31 for an alleged violation of State
Government Code 1090, which prohibits an elected official from
financially benefiting from a contract with the city, a felony.
Baglin accepted a commission from property owners in a sale of two
parcels on Third Street to the city. He has denied any criminal
activity.
“The council will be able to handle the situation,” said Bette
Anderson, Village Laguna president.
She also commended the candidates for running clean campaigns.
“The election was very low key,” she said. “It was very civil, not
a lot of mudslinging. That’s good.”
Dicterow said the civility may have accounted for the closeness of
the vote.
“Everything was positive and upbeat, and that’s good,” Ricchiazzi
said.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.