Placentia City Council Candidates

Twelve candidates are running for three seats on the Placentia City Council in the Nov. 3 election.

Adrienne Edmondson

Age: 39.

Occupation: Organizational development specialist.

Background: Past president of San Bernardino/Orange County Business and Professional Women’s Organization; member of the board of directors of the Orange County Elected Women’s Assn. for Education and Research.

Issues: Supports a two-term limit for council members; supports continuing utility tax; advocates a social and educational approach to combatting gang activity and other youth problems.

Gary Hill

Age: 53.

Occupation: Senior test engineer.

Background: Five years on Planning Commission; member of Placentia Founder’s Society; Navy veteran; member of the American Legion.

Issues: Supports term limits for council members; supports continuing utility tax; advocates a social and community approach to gang activity and other youth problems.

Howard Kay

Age: 50.

Occupation: Corporate executive.

Background: Navy veteran; member of the Placentia Heritage committee; served on the city’s commercial industrial committee.

Issues: Supports one two-year term for council members; supports more police presence and more activities for children to combat gang activity; proposes repealing utility tax until expenditures have been identified.

Michael Maertzweiler

Age: 49.

Occupation: Aerospace project administrator.

Background: Planning commissioner for eight years; reserve police officer for 11 years; member of the League of California Cities public safety committee.

Issues: Supports voluntary term limits; opposes repeal of utility tax; proposes hiring a counselor to work with youths and parents to combat gang activity and other youth problems; opposes additional alcohol licenses in the city.

Betty Mead

Age: 73.

Occupation: Operator at communications center.

Background: Served four years on council before being recalled; member of Veterans Advisory Committee; former local newspaper editor.

Issues: Has no opinion on term limits, utility tax, or issues surrounding gangs; proposes putting a cemetery in the city.

Maria Moreno

Age: 38.

Occupation: Teacher; businesswoman.

Background: Incumbent; appointed by County Board of Supervisors to a drug and alcohol advisory board; vice chairwoman of the Orange County Housing Commission; serves on the resolution board of the county League of Cities; founder of North Orange County Youths at Risk Coalition.

Issues: Proposes placing utility tax issue on 1994 ballot; proposes placing term limit question on 1994 ballot; supports increased police visibility and more educational and community programs to combat gangs, graffiti and other youth problems.

Arthur Newton

Age: 42.

Occupation: Tax accountant.

Background: Incumbent; 10 years as police officer.

Issues: Supports a three-term limit for council members; supports continuance of utility tax for capital improvements; supports an educational approach to combat gang activities.

Michael Stehly

Age: 28.

Occupation: Manager of state audit for a fast-food company.

Background: Bachelor’s degree in accounting; master’s degree in business from Pepperdine University.

Issues: Supports term limits for council members; supports repeal of utility tax; supports increased police presence and tougher graffiti laws to combat gang activity.

John O. Tynes

Age: 75.

Occupation: Incumbent, retired educator/administrator.

Background: Former superintendent of the Placentia Unified School District.

Issues: Opposes term limits; supports increased recreational programs to combat gang activity and other youth problems; opposes repealing utility tax.

Candidates Edward Nodler, Linda Smith and Raymond Smith could not be reached for comment.