Politics & Government

What Would You Ask the Candidates for City Council?

The open application process takes place with public interviews tonight. What would you ask?

Tonight, shortly after 6 p.m., the interesting process of choosing a councilperson for the city will begin with an interview.

Curt Stanley is expected to step up to the microphone and respond to questions from Jerry Holloway, Steve Baric and Jesse Petrilla. Five others will follow Stanley, each one having to speak on the record—and in front of a full council chamber, no doubt—about their qualifications for replacing Gary Thompson.

Thompson was one of the city's founding fathers, chosen to Rancho Santa Margarita's first governing council. He had a straightforward style, a what-you-see is what-you-get demeanor, and a tireless commitment to a position that pays about $5,000 a year. Thompson helped turn away the proposed airport at El Toro, helped create a financially solvent city that's the envy of many, and with a few others has permanently galvanized his name in the cornerstone of RSM's history.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Those are big shoes to fill.

The candidates aren't in the running because they've been able to raise enough campaign funds, they're in the running solely because of their surface qualifications and their willingness to serve the city.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Candidates read Patch. Council members read Patch. City staff reads Patch. And so Patch asks the public—and we've all been to job interviews before—what questions would you ask in the interview tonight and on April 13? Would the elevator speech work? Would you ask a question that's out there in order to see how they respond on their feet?

List questions for specific candidates, or ask questions in general. You may never get closer to being able to shape the way candidates are perceived. One good question asked here and asked in the council chamber might be key to the whole process.

If you're a candidate, feel free to answer the questions the readers ask here. Who knows, the way you handle yourself in the media (both social and enews) might be a pretty good selling point.

What questions do you want answered by these men and women?

Here's a list of candidates who will be interviewed tonight:

  • Curt Stanley, RSM: Small-business owner and local advocate who is often an emcee for Rancho Santa Margarita events.
  • Kenny P. Hrabik, Trabuco Canyon: Businessman owns the Dove Canyon Courtyard.
  • Peter Whittingham, RSM: Currently works for the former Anaheim mayor as vice president of Curt Pringle and Associates; former press deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, joined RSM Planning Commission in January as appointment of Steve Baric.
  • Donnamarie Kline, RSM: Volunteer with professional background in employee benefits.
  • Kevin J. Raney, RSM: Chief of police for Garden Grove. 
  • Glenn Acosta, Dove Canyon: Director of the Trabuco Canyon Water District, appointed by O.C. Supervisor Pat Bates to serve on the O.C. Waste Management Commission.

Here's a list of candidates who will be inteviewed April 13 in front of Holloway, Baric and Mayor  Tony Beall.

  • Brad McGirr, RSM: Attorney and current member of the Planning Commission as an appointment of Mayor Tony Beall.
  • Jim Eakin, Trabuco Canyon: Software engineer and businessman is on the Planning Commission as Jerry Holloway’s appointment.
  • Carol A. Gamble, RSM: Consultant and civil engineer is the city's former mayor elected to the original City Council who was directly involved in the incorporation of Rancho Santa Margarita.
  • Lawrence “Larry” McCook, RSM: Retired business executive who garnered more than 4,300 votes during a six-week campaign for the council in 2010.
  • Kathleen A. Roach, RSM: Worked 15 years in municipal government, including seven as the assistant to the city manager in Rancho Santa Margarita.
  • Michael F. Safranski, RSM: Senior director of facilities and security for Emulex Corp., board president of the Trabuco Canyon Water District and Trabuco Highlands Community Association.

What questions do you want answered?


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