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Ellen McCarty

How did you attain your position? The city attorney is appointed by the

City Council.

Family status: Wife of 31 years, Cindy, with three kids, Colin, 20,

Laurie, 19, and Jamie, 15.

Age: 51

Education: B.A. in history from Cal State Fullerton 1973, Juris

Doctorate, Pepperdine, 1976.

Past offices held: President of the Orange County City Attorneys Assn.,

1988; Interim city attorney for Orange, 1996-1997; President of Fountain

Valley Kiwanis, 1982.

Present occupation: Fountain Valley city attorney, also General Counsel

to Orange County Vector Central District, Costa Mesa Sanitary District,

Home Gardens Sanitary District.

Explain your job in 15 words or less: Advise city council and staff,

implement council policy lawfully, prosecute city misdemeanors

Your greatest achievement: Obtaining Orange County’s first drug house

abatement; finishing a marathon.

Personal motto: ARETA, which in ancient Greek means “Excellence in all

things.”

Most humbling moment: Lots in basic training in the U.S. Army.

Your greatest extravagance: Traveling with my wife and family to foreign

places.

The most influential book you’ve read: Profiles in Courage, John F.

Kennedy.

What cassette or compact disc is in your car right now? Stevie Ray Vaughn

Your most treasured possession: World War II souvenirs from my dad and

father-in-law; 2000-year-old oil lamp from Jerusalem.

What can you cook? Nothing.

The college major you almost chose: Archeology.

Your last charitable act: Helping families adopt a social worker program

through Kiwanis.

As a child, what did schoolmates tease you about? My last name.

What is in your car trunk right now? Car tool kit and tartan blanket.

The first thing that attracted you to your partner or spouse: Cindy’s

vivaciousness.

The worst idea you ever had: Buying a 1957 Plymouth for $75.

Who are your heroes? Parents. And everyone in “The Greatest Generation.”

Thomas Jefferson, Mother Theresa, Alexander the Great.

Favorite escape from reality: Surfing, skiing, rafting.

The thing you would change about the world if you could: End hunger and

war.

Your idea of exercise: Running on back country trails, going to the gym.

I have a dream that: Our nation has not yet hit its Golden Age and we are

beginning a Pax Americana of world peace and stability.

Number where you can be reached: 593-4513.