8 Seeking 3 City Council Positions in San Fernando

Eight candidates have filed to run for three San Fernando City Council seats in the city election April 8.

Among those who submitted nomination papers to the city clerk’s office before Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline were the three incumbents, Carmillis M. Noltemeyer, Roy M. Richardson and Mayor Doude Wysbeek.

The challengers include three members of the city’s planning commission, among them Ray D. Silva, the leader of a recent citizens campaign against drug abuse in San Fernando. Chairman Daniel Acuna and Gordon K. Broberg are the other candidates from the planning commission.

Also running are Beverly J. Di Tomaso, chairwoman of the city’s parks and recreation commission, and businessman Joseph W. Funk.

30%-40% Turnout Seen

City officials predicted that 30% to 40% of the city’s 6,046 registered voters will cast ballots, with the top three vote-getters winning four-year terms.

Two of the council’s five members, Jess Margarito and James Hansen, are not up for reelection.

No central issue emerged in early comments by candidates.

Noltemeyer, 46, who has served one term, suggested that she will run as a critic of the council majority, saying, “I would like to see more representation of the people.” She recently organized a petition drive that prompted the council to cancel a land exchange with the county to obtain a site for a new police station, a deal supported by her colleagues.

Wysbeek, 47, who also has served one term, said he wants to see the police station project completed. Richardson, 45, who has been in office two terms, said he would ask for a chance to see to completion various council projects, such as redevelopment of the downtown business district.

Silva, 45, said he plans to focus on issues of land use and housing. He was appointed to the planning commission in August after organizing Vecinos Unidos, meaning United Neighbors, the group that has lobbied for measures to combat alcohol and drug abuse.

Long-Term Planning

A three-year member of the commission, Broberg, 38, called for more long-term planing “to preserve the single-family nature of the community and halt the deterioration of our neighborhoods.”

Acuna, 45, who has served on the planning commission seven years, said he will run on his record as someone who has “taken seriously my duty to resolve the differences between the public interest and private rights.”

Di Tomaso, 53, said the city needs to update its general plan to achieve a balance of residential, light-industry and commercial areas.

Funk, 40, is president of a San Fernando security company. He said he decided to get involved in local government because he “felt things should be changed in the way that businesses are treated here. A few things should be done to encourage more business here locally.”