City Guide

SEAL BEACH

Mayor: George Brown

Age: 70

Occupation: Retired accountant

First elected: 1992

Term expires: 1996

Key issues: Supports using state funds to increase police patrols and improve city’s public safety programs. Also favors reducing the utility tax, raised from 5% to 11% by the City Council last year as a way to cope with budget shortfalls. Supports strengthening enforcement of speed limits and improving crossing protection for students at McGaugh Elementary School, where a 12-year-old boy was struck by a car and killed in July.

*

Councilman: William J. Doane

Age: 73

Occupation: Retired data processing manager

Appointed: 1991

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: Only council member who voted against increasing the utility tax, calling it an unfair burden on the city’s older residents. He wants to lower it by finding other revenue sources. Believes the best way to increase revenue would be to improve city’s business climate. Claims city has earned a negative image in the business community by being too strict about development.

*

Councilwoman: Gwen Forsythe

Age: 39

Occupation: Advertising manager

First elected: 1990

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: Wants to maintain a family atmosphere in the city and increase public safety. Opposes a proposal to build more than 1,000 homes near the Bolsa Chica wetlands.

*

Councilwoman: Marilyn Bruce Hastings

Age: 66

Occupation: Property owner

First elected: 1990

Term expires: 1998

Key issues: An advocate of the city’s sand-replenishment program for eroded beaches. Also supports locating a police substation near the beach. Has described herself as a slow-growth proponent, and as a representative of the city’s Old Town area. Wants to keep a lid on the operating hours of Main Street businesses that sell alcohol.

*

Councilman: Frank Laszlo

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired teacher

First elected: 1976

Term expires: 1996

Key issues: A controlled-growth advocate and strong opponent of the Mola Development Corp.’s proposal to build on the 149-acre Hellman Ranch property. Is concerned about traffic that may be generated by the proposed Bixby Ranch and golf course development on Seal Beach Boulevard but has not taken a position on the project.

Other Key Officials

City manager: Jerry L. Bankston

Age: 48

In office: Since 1991

*

City attorney: Quinn Barrow

Age: 38

In office: Since 1992

*

Police chief: Bill Stearns

Age: 50

In office: Since 1987

How to Reach Them

Council meets: Second and fourth Mondays of the month, 7 p.m., at City Hall, 211 8th St.

Hours: City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The permit counter is open Monday through Friday, 8-10 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.

Telephone: (310) 431-2527 or (714) 828-8550

Fax: (310) 431-4067

Fast Facts

Incorporated: 1916

Population: 25,095

Sister city: Todos Santos, Mexico

Legislative districts: 35th state Senate District: Marian Bergeson; 67th Assembly District: Doris Allen; 39th Congressional District: Ed Royce; 45th Congressional District: Dana Rohrabacher

Budget: $11 million

City employees: 97

Highest paid employee: City manager, $82,500 annually

City Council pay: $300 per month, including the mayor

RESEARCHED BY RUSS LOAR