By Andrea Swayne
Nine candidates will vie for three openings on the Dana Point City Council come Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The trio of open seats on the five-member body are being vacated by Mayor Lisa Bartlett, who is seeking higher office in the race for the Fifth District seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors; Councilman Bill Brough, who is running for the California Assembly 73rd District seat and Mayor Pro Tem Steven Weinberg, who is terming out.
Originally, a total of 12 Dana Point citizens pulled papers. At the Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m. deadline, three, Martin Chokany, Denise Erkeneff and Anthony Kelly, had not returned their forms, thereby solidifying the final tally at nine.
In the months leading up to the election, the Dana Point Times will publish ongoing coverage of this race and others being voted on by Dana Point residents in November.
Within the next few weeks we will begin sharing candidates’ answers to questions on issues facing the city. This special pre-election coverage will culminate with our special election issue on Friday, Oct. 24.
Below are the official candidate statements of the City Council hopefuls, unedited and presented in alphabetical order.
In future articles, the order in which candidates’ answers are printed will vary but never run in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.
The ballot order was determined via a random drawing by the California Secretary of State’s Office on Aug. 14 and is as follows:
Chuck Rathbone
Jody Payne
Richard A. Viczorek
Nancy J. Jenkins
Joe Muller
Roy “Ryan” Divel IV
John A. Tomlinson
Alan Wickstrom
Harold R. Kaufman.
Roy “Ryan” Divel IV
Local Businessman
I’m a Fourth generation South County Native, with historical roots and values developed right here in Our City. Elections seem to breed greed and division among our usually tight knit community. I’m here to try and bring “Common Sense” to our decision making, which I specifically think needs to reflect the ideals of our residents and local businesses. Dana Point needs a fresh perspective, with creative thinkers, which I will bring to the table normally inhabited by career-oriented minds.
My platform is simple:
Inherit and interject the Resident’s populous vision for a beneficial and Responsible Development of our beloved town center “Lantern District”.
Develop and implement a strategic plan for a zero-cost recreational skatepark for community youth.
Innovate and Expand substance abuse related awareness and programs aimed toward our high-school aged population. These kids need our help and guidance and Are Going To Be The Leaders for Dana Point tomorrow.
I’ve Always been: ‘Pro-Business’, ‘Pro-Residents’ while being ‘Pro-Active’ in doing things in a Responsible matter that makes “Common Sense” for everyone.
I humbly ask for your help to lead Capo Beach, Monarch Beach and all of Dana Point for the next four years. Thank You.
www.Divel4dp.com #DPCommonSense
Nancy Jenkins
Retired Educator/Commissioner
In my 23 years as a resident, my passion and dedication to Dana Point are evidenced by long-standing involvement with the city and in the community.
I served on the original City Charitable Grand Subcommittee, and was an inaugural member of the Arts and Culture Commission, serving one year as Chairwoman. I am on the Board of the Dana Point Historical Society, and also the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, functioning as Support and Outreach Director, Volunteer Coordinator, while developing and providing ongoing monitoring of a transition program.
My career in education management and as a professional development consultant has provided critical skills that include successful budgeting and consensus building.
When elected, I will: 1) move current major projects forward in keeping with approved plans; 2) support worthy projects while encouraging a strong resident voice; 3) ensure that residents’ quality-of-life concerns take precedence; 4) foster a broad business community to benefit both residents and visitors; 5) promote transparency and candor from the Council; and 6) develop a strong financial direction.
It is time for strong leadership to greet the future, for which I am uniquely qualified.
I respectfully ask for your vote on November 4. More: electnancyjenkins.com.
Harold R. Kaufman
Businessman
Help me complete Town Center responsibly, develop a specific plan for Capistrano Beach, find a suitable location for a skateboard park, treat dry-season runoff to keep our ocean clean, and provide true reform to employee pension program.
During my tenure on City Council (1994 to 2002), I was instrumental in establishing the Youth Board, developing the DHHS Sports Park and Stonehill Creekside Park, providing funds to purchase Spirit of Dana Point for the Ocean Institute, purchasing City Hall, reducing density on the Headlands, establishing Dana Point/San Clemente Animal Shelter, establishing Historical Preservation ordinance, moving Town Center project forward.
I have proven my dedication to Dana Point as a team builder and hard worker. I demonstrated this negotiating settlements in personal injury cases; as former member of the boards of Ocean Institute, Capistrano Valley Symphony, South Coast Medical Center, Foothill/Eastern Toll Road Agency, Orange County Fire Authority; volunteer for 5th Marine Support Group, Historical Society, AYSO, American Legion; through my education (Penn State BSEE, University of Denver MBA), former USAF Captain, and Dana Point Citizen of the Year (1996).
My wife Michele and I, 30-year residents of Dana Point, appreciate your support and hope you will allow me to serve the City again in November.
Joe Muller
Small Business Owner
My wife and I, along with our twin boys love Dana Point and are proud to call it our home. I care deeply about the future of our community and why I decided to run for Dana Point City Council.
Like my hero President Ronald Reagan, I am a fiscal conservative, opposed to tax and fee increases and a believer in limited government at all levels. As your Dana Point City Councilman, the interests of the residents and taxpayers will always come first.
My priorities for the City are; maintaining a budget surplus, redevelopment of our City center, upgrading of our harbor area, creating a Doheny Village Master Plan, ensuring public safety, cutting spending where needed, enhancing local businesses and working to protect our quality of life we are privileged to enjoy in Dana Point.
I’m a small business owner and involved in our community such as our children’s school, little league, autism organizations and NFL flag football. I have been endorsed by Senator Mimi Walters, Congressman Ed Royce, Councilman Carlos Olvera and dozens of community, resident organization and business leaders.
Please vote Joe Muller for Dana Point City Council!
Jody Payne
Business Owner/Writer
A nearly 20 year resident and homeowner, I am an educator and business owner with a long history of service in Dana Point. As a mom, I have worked tirelessly with our youth in such organizations as PTSA, Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts, CUSD, SOCSA, and Students Run LA. A strong and robust Dana Point must be our legacy.
Sweeping financial decisions are being approved with little transparency. We deserve thoughtful, unhurried deliberation on key issues. It is time residents reassert our critical role in crafting Dana Point’s future.
As Councilwoman, I will:
Fight to maintain the highest quality of life for our residents
Protect property rights and values
Practice responsible financial management, including maintaining healthy budget reserves
Promote Dana Point as a premier visitor destination
Work to find sensible solutions to parking and traffic issues
Endorse and encourage arts and cultural events
Act in a professional, courteous and collaborative manner on the City Council
This election is critical. Dana Point is facing major changes in Town Center, Doheny Village, Dana Point Harbor, and our gateways. I guarantee residents will be heard as decisions are made about how our city is changed and developed.
Vote Jody Payne for City Council.
Chuck Rathbone
Retired
I am a retired CFO from a Water/Wastewater Agency and former School Board member who has lived in beautiful Dana Point for over 9 years. I am running for Dana Point City Council to ensure that fiscal responsibility and prudent use of reserves are addressed. My 36 years of experience in finance and working with public facilities has provided me the insight that is needed in our City.
My priority is to represent the publics’ best interests. I am interested in the safety and growth of Town Center. Development is inevitable, but we need to keep our coastal community atmosphere and charm intact, as this is the heart and soul that is Dana Point.
When given the opportunity to serve, I will invest the time it takes to make this City even better than it already is. That includes a strong financial balance sheet, make public safety a priority, outreach and communication to our citizens, and tourism that enhances our businesses and residents. We must keep the heart of Dana Point local. Local residents and businesses should have the major voice in decisions regarding the growth of Dana Point.
Please vote Chuck Rathbone for Dana Point City Council.
John Tomlinson
Business Owner/Attorney
My family has lived in Capistrano Beach since the 1960s. I fondly remember my frequent visits to my grandparent’s home over the past 47 years. My wife, children and I love being full-time residents of our community. Our roots are too deep to move.
My experience in property management, as well my volunteer positions in Orange County will enable me to provide our community with a well-balanced approach on issues we face. I will actively invite you and our fellow citizens to participate in successfully addressing community concerns.
Of primary concern are the following issues: our safety; preservation, maintenance and development of infrastructure; financial stewardship of public funds; and fiscal and environmental restraint regarding innovative development (Town Center, Doheny Village, and Harbor Revitalization).
I hold a BA from the U.C. Berkeley, a Juris Doctor from western State University College of Law, and an MBA from Chapman University. I am an Attorney-at-Law.
I look forward to giving back and serving our community that has given so much to my family and me.
My investment is in you and the City of Dana Point.
Please vote for me so that I may continue to serve our community.
Richard A. Viczorek
Marine/Attorney/Businessman
My family and I moved to Dana Point because it is a thriving and all-American community in which to live, work, and raise a family.
I am running for Dana Point City Council because I want to take an active role in continually improving our community and maintaining our positive momentum – by being fiscally conservative, open to suggestions, and transparent in my actions and communications. The city belongs to all of us, and I seek to represent your best interests as we move Dana Point forward while maintaining a solid financial footing and focusing city government on its core functions of providing security, maintaining and improving our public spaces and infrastructure, and creating the conditions for economic growth.
I am a small businessman and attorney focusing on federal and military appeals. I am also a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and a veteran of the war in Iraq. I graduated from UCLA and then Santa Clara University School of Law before serving our country at home and abroad. My wife, Sarah, and I are the proud parents of three young boys.
I would appreciate your vote and would be honored to serve.
Alan Wickstrom
Dana Point Business Owner
This election is about you, the citizens of Dana Point.
I am a 28-year Dana Point resident. Liz and I have been married for 27 years and our daughter graduated from Dana Hills.
I started my web design agency in 1995 and have nearly two decades of business experience. I am a no-nonsense leader who will see that the City is operated in a business-like manner and I will be fully accountable to you.
Like you, I love Dana Point with all my heart. I have the vision and fiscally responsible business sense to help navigate our city through a very important juncture in our development.
I will help retain our small town charm and outstanding quality of life. I will work tirelessly for safe, healthy beaches in Dana Point, Capistrano Beach, and Monarch Beach.
My accomplishments include:
2009 Dana Point Citizen of the Year
Director, Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group
Director, Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
2007-09 President, SOCSA Foundation at Dana Hills
2011/12 Commissioner, Dana Point Arts and Culture Commission
2013/14 President, Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary
Among my many supporters are Nancy Baumann, Mayor Pro Tem Weinberg, Councilman Olvera and former Mayors Wayne Rayfield and Harold Kaufman.
Thank you for your vote November 4th.
Readers: If you would like to suggest questions for the candidates, please send an email to aswayne@dananpointtimes.com by Aug. 26. Throughout election season, we will also welcome letters to the editor in support of your favored candidates for City Council and other upcoming races. Please strictly adhere to a 350-word maximum and include your name, phone number and city of residence.
Dear Roy Divel (all candidates, same question) Your opening statement is polished like a career politician. Not criticism, just objective cookie cutter responses; IMHO.
Please be specific: “In your opinion is the current development plan of the Harbor or Town Center (1) “Overly massive and unnecessary development, an overkill?” On a one to ten scale, please be specific. With a 1>10 being just right! versus 9>10 being Unnecessary Over sizing!” (As Dana Point citizens we need to measure the candidates!)
Dana Point residents need to pick the best 3 out of 9, we need specific measures when possible, for comparison.
Are you saying that you want to change government, that Dana Point leadership “…. needs to reflect the ideals of our residents and local businesses.” What if we see that the Diane Harkey real estate business plan forces four and five story structures in Dana Point?
Does your “polished business mind see that existing two story upgrades are enough. Is two story buildings a better choice, making Dana Point all it needs to be?” (stretching to 3 story)
Dear Nancy Jenkins: We want to and we can vote for those who ‘get it’. These comments in this DP News article tell me you ‘don’t get it’!
(1) I ask candidates, “Please describe for us, your idea, What is a quiet, sleepy, romantic Beach City?”
For example, hotels have invested here for what we are and what we have been. Not for the Harbor Parking / Shopping monstrosities.
Do you think our major hotels like these proposals? At what point does tourist-attraction beach city become ‘over development? Do you think that a loss of our precious ‘Stands Beach’; losing views and environment by ever act from the past decade of City Council short sighted decision wrecked us?
By obvious measure, this quality of nature/ocean is being ‘over-built’ when in fact, no building would have better preserved the environment. You say that you are an active neighbor
“ … long-standing involvement with the city and in the community.”
I say this is not great testament! Why haven’t you cried out to say “just stop!” Do you need another shopping center?
For example, to build a huge shopping mall and huge parking structure in our quaint harbor is sad overkill, ridiculous, serving only the land lording County Supervisors / rental revenue that goes to the County Supervisors (L. Bartlett).
(2) I ask you now Nancy (all candidates). If you are an artist, if you can open your eyes to see, if you have any ability to forecast this horrible picture now being painted; please also take time answer these questions presented to other candidates.
Dear Mr. Kaufman. (Will all candidates agree to participate in an immediate debate? How soon can you be ready?) Rarely do We the People have a chance to roast past City Council. What you brag about (Harold) is seen in just the opposite way, as alleged acts of city corruption. Instead, what you should say, is that we want new candidates to reform, replace, put a stop to this crazy planning about to take place.
(1) You say, to … “Help me complete Town Center responsibly,”
I say, “What a horrible idea!” I support the ideas to clean up and restore a dusty old antique, like Town Center. But restoring an antique is not to wreck its qualities of antiquity.
What you have done is authorize a huge ‘High-rise Land-lording Plan, for Carpetbaggers, for Diane Harkey real estate mongols to capitalize upon this areas near beach property. Due to City Council greed, this property that has been tripled and quadrupled in sizing, is barely legal but it is also immoral, these new Majestic-monstrosities Apartments.
Harold, you removed affordable senior living at the mobile home park … you are the enemy all other candidates should aim their spears and arrows; near where your heart once was.
(2) The Save the Headlands campaign was targeted to attack a corrupt city council, like you. How dare you try and take credit for resolving problems you created. Didn’t you take money from these developers? You claim to be part of a campaign, “ reducing density on the Headlands “. You are a fraud.
Please … continue with this campaign so that students and elders can watch the Hippocratic Oath in progress, political corruption taking place before our very eyes, the vultures who again practice their deceptive practice under eagles clothing.
(3) The “Help me complete Town Center responsibly,” My God man. This action must be stopped, immediately! Can’t you see how you have been tricked us; and now, we are enlightened?
Mr. Joe Miller Your quote: Your “…hero President Ronald Reagan,” (lol) If you walk, talk and govern like the Grand Old Party, you will not have my vote. IMHO, most all Orange County corruption is coming from GOP legislation. See the Great Park open space – opportunity. See the 4 and 5 story massive apartments that went up quickly alone Irvine (405 FRYW) because this opportunity presented itself? Now, do you see the same thing happening in Dana Point, in Town Center, in the Harbor? If you don’t see it, what do you see?
1./ You want to go forward with the “redevelopment of our City center, upgrading of our harbor area, creating a Doheny Village Master Plan.” This is insanity if the planning includes anyone’s participation of past projects. These plans were developed to increase ‘Land-lording Rentals, most of the property owned by outsiders with links and connections to the Diane Harkey / City Council investor pools.
Why should residents of Dana Point want massive over development?? Why?? There is no reason!! See for yourself, the building elevations planned for the Harbor, planned to Town Center … No citizen in their right mind would want this! Wake up! If you don’t wake up, please then do the next best thing. Tell us how much over development is good for you and your children. Can you put it on a 1 to 10 scale?
2./ It seems that Dana Point voters will want to package a ‘Best of 9 Candidates’ for a ‘Best Resulting 3 New Council Team’. Who will they be? Do you want to be a part of the team that OK and approves the massive over development “As Seen On Newspaper reports photographs” and in City Council presentations exhibit boards!
Who will be the best three that represent a intelligence of “How to protect the beach environmental qualities!” How can you run for office and not be a advocate of nature, to preserve you and your families enjoyment of the ocean experience!
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.” ― John Muir
Of the nine council candidates … who really gets it?
Jody Payne , you say ….
1./ “A strong and robust Dana Point must be our legacy”. What about ‘protecting a beach experience? An experience that is being wrecked, chopped not just in half, maybe in quarters … in the Harbor planning, right now! Wake up! You either get it or you don’t. Fish or cut bait.
2./ “Fight to maintain the highest quality of life for our residents” Jody … it’s the Beach experience that is being wrecked … for this time capsule, a time in history may occur, when People stood to stop corruption. Will righteous People be able to stop selfish destructive acts by greedy City Council of the past. Can Dana Point residents act with strong meaning and purpose, to protect our beach qualities, an expression as “for the ocean” like John Muir “was for national parks”.
3./ “Protect property rights and values”
Jody … get off it. You don’t get it. It was this rhetoric that stole Stands Beach from all Californians. How do we buy back Strands Beach is a far better question. How does a new City Council reverse the corruptible, deceptive practices of the past Council.
4./ Jody you say, “Work to find sensible solutions to parking and traffic issues” What? Jody, if you only saw 10% of the picture, you could make such a statement. The whole picture reveals that past City Council planned this “parking and traffic” chaos. The solution is, “We need leadership with Planning to reverse past City Council selfish schemes.”
Dear Chuck Rathbone: Your comments, “36 years of experience in finance and working with public facilities” is most scary comment of all the candidates. In the past, City Council and County Supervisors said the same thing ….
“My priority is to represent the public’s’ best interests.”
And, as a result of such meaningless statements, we have Town Center and the Harbor plan. A plan that is being shoved down the throats of sleepy, romantic Dana Point residents. Your introduction should have said, ( sort of like Harold K.) that you were instrumental in stopping corruption by elective officials! Imagine? Does at least one council candidate get it?
Currently under attack is the thing you describe. “the heart and soul that is Dana Point” is being wrecked.
City Council and staff have hidden this Redevelopment atrocity when they only allow ‘Red Flag Towers of Development’ to stand for only 24 hours or less. They hide the great atrocity that is planned for the Harbor, for Town Center for other projects.
Will you participate in a campaign that puts the ‘Red Flag Towers of Development’ back up for public view and discussion! How many council would do such a thing? Such an event would quickly separate the contenders from the pretenders.
John Tomlinson Maybe you would be the best candidate, to know and to show us how past City Attorneys have acted to hide the Apartment Majestic Monstrosities, the Harbor Parking Towers and Shopping Mall monstrosities.
John you say … “Of primary concern are the following issues: our safety; preservation, maintenance and development of infrastructure; financial stewardship of public funds; and fiscal and environmental restraint regarding innovative development (Town Center, Doheny Village, and Harbor Revitalization).”
But, hidden in this comment is a White Elephant ‘The Environment’ it is not like Fullerton, Santa Ana or Buena Park environments for our home is a beach home experience. Our precious life quality must protect ocean experiences, sights, smells, sounds, textures and even the salt water we taste. You don’t seem to get it. You comments are canned and a subject of suspicion for you must overcome the negative attorney association; therefore you must get real. IMHO, you must be a advocate, as if, working for the Surfrider Foundation, etc. … this type of attorney. Why didn’t you say the “Public should have access to Stands Beach!” Why? Who are you fooling?
Dear Richard Viczorek (attorney) When you say,
“ all-American community in which to live “ , … I see this as flag waiving. We have real issues. When you say, “… and maintaining our positive momentum.” These comments tell me you think that progress / or / change cannot be either destructive-progress or, destructive-change. The words can work both ways, positive and negative. For you to ignore the real problems of the city, to protect nature, to protect our quality of life with the beach experience and the many impacts connected to over-development – – is purposeful. This subject is ‘at issue, it is of what matters!’ So get real.
You ignored actual argument, the issues, problems that our government created. Your boss, the guy who signs your check / or once did. So, suddenly, you find yourself to be an everyday citizen?
You say, “… focusing upon city government on its core functions of providing security, (what?) maintaining and improving our public spaces (what; this is close, but it could have been so much more if you really get it!) and infrastructure, (what?) and creating the conditions for economic growth (what makes you think that you have experience that can forecast, present and propose new alternatives, new conditions that spur on healthy economic growth?? How do you reverse NAFTA?)
Our current city officials are living in the past, they used these same ‘con job explanations’ in city presentations, to make you and me, (us) believe that an overcrowded Down Town is contrary to our experience, instead a healthy, better experience for residents. NO! This is just the opposite of what will happen and I think that “even an attorney” should see through past city deceptive presentations.
Dear Richard … how will you stop government corruption, when it is this government’s proposals to their constituents that were full of false statements and deceptive practices?
Dear Alan Wickstrom You say, “I will be fully accountable to you.” What does that mean?
In the past, since Dana Point City Council first stated to plan to modernize the city, … do you really think that it is impossible to modernize nature? Was the City fully accountable when they participate with the Coastal Commission to take away one of our precious beaches, Stands Beach? What steps could we take to buy back Stands Beach?
What is ‘accountable’? Can there be such a thing as ‘accountable-deceptive acts’? Do you know that the City Manager ‘Doug’ races to take down the Red Flags that tell residents of the massive over development? Will you ask Doug to put up the Flags … for a month or two, until every resident see the disastrous plan being rushed through?
Alan: You are associated with Mayors Wayne Rayfield and Harold Kaufman who established practices to hide major impacts now falling upon all people of Orange County who love our beach low impact experience. IMHO, if you are anything like Rayfield and Kaufman, you are to be questioned more-so for your sincerity, for your hidden agenda that Rayfield and Kaufman are now caught “Majestic – monstrosity Apartments” Is there any way to stop what Rayfield and Kaufman have signed off on? Will you act to stop these massive apartments? Is there a candidate who will?
SUMMARY: I believe the People of Dana Point, the People who get out the Vote, must pick three People Candidates to pick early, months before election. Pick three people who can answer the tough questions, that stance being to protect the charm and environment of Dana Point above all. Sweep away the mumbo-jumbo, cookie cutter talk that politician can charm you with. Find the Winston Churchill ‘bulldog’ type reformist to support. Pick the three, then dedicate ourselves support the three – – don’t let the big political money pick the three for you!
Dave Bartholomew … watching ROMA Is-Burning Architects destroy the sweet beach quality of life we now enjoy. Wake up Dana Point … once the Harbor project starts … the Town Center … it will be a done deal … like losing Strands Beach because “We the People” just don’t care enough to make a difference. “John Muir”
Not appreciating Joe Muller’s robocalls with Mimi Walters voice. 3 times in 4 days.