Change Backed by Santa Ana, Irvine Voters

In early returns, voters in two Orange County cities were approving ballot measures aimed at restructuring local government.

In Santa Ana, the county’s second-largest city, the initial count showed voters were favoring Measure C, which calls for City Council candidates to run in wards instead of citywide. The measure also proposes electing a mayor by the people, not the council.

Meanwhile, Irvine voters were approving a similar proposal, Measure B, to add a popularly elected mayor, early returns showed. Measure A, which calls for limiting council members to two consecutive terms, was also winning.

Also in a highly contested field for two seats on the Irvine City Council, slow-growth advocates were beating back challenges by candidates favoring more growth. The Irvine contests were dominated by debates over how much the 42-square mile city should grow in the years ahead.

Incumbent Councilman Larry Agran and Planning Commissioner Edward Dornan were ahead in the initial count, with eight other candidates trailing.

“I think the early results demonstrate the grass-roots support we have,” said Dornan. “I think Irvine has decided to stop being treated like a banana republic by (chairman) Donald Bren and (of) the Irvine Co.”

Agran said, “I’m just delighted, at least so far that the residents’ interests seemed to be prevailing.”

Coalition of Critics

In Santa Ana, the movement to transform Santa Ana’s government began last December when a number of groups that had opposed various council actions banded together. After initially calling for a recall of all seven council members, the SAMSON (Santa Ana Merged Society of Neighbors) coalition modified its approach and drafted the ballot measure.

Coalition members--including city firefighters, opponents of the planned Westdome sports arena and immigrant-rights advocates--had collected signatures to put the issue on the ballot.

Warnings of Corruption

Supporters of Measure C counted on door-to-door canvassing and signs, while opponents used slick mail and charged that the measure, if enacted, would eventually corrupt city politics.

In Irvine, one growth debate pits residents against business interests. The residents fear that the cities’s suburban serenity would be lost to pollution, traffic and crowding if city officials approve further construction and supports building three proposed new freeways. The business interests include the Irvine Co., which has ambitious development plans.

City at ‘Crossroads’

Whoever wins the political tug of war, Irvine Mayor Dave Baker has said, will affect “what the city looks like in the year 2000. This is a critical election for the city of Irvine because we are at a crossroads.”

Tuesday’s contests developed into a power struggle for the third or swing vote on a five-member council that is already divided over the politically charged growth issue.

Baker and Councilwoman Sally Anne Miller, who support the proposed freeways and future growth, endorsed candidates Tom Jones and Hal Maloney. Both candidates also received thousands of dollars raised by Irvine Co. employees.

Countering the pro-growth faction is Agran, the council’s most vocal critic of Irvine Co. and unrestrained development. The top vote-getter in the 1982 race, Agran was considered a shoo-in for reelection Tuesday. Agran and Councilman Ray Catalano actively supported planning commissioner Dornan.

Times staff writers Heidi Evans and Andy Rose contributed to this story.