No Last-Minute Surprises Among Council Candidates

Wednesday came and went without any last-minute surprises at City Hall.

On the final day for Rancho Santa Margarita residents to file papers to run for city council, it was quiet in the city clerk's office.

Now, the field has been set for the November race, with three candidates running for two four-year terms, and three candidates running for one two-year term.

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"All six have been qualified from the Orange County Registrar of Voters," said Maria Ferris, the deputy city clerk. "Besides the candidate statements, we're done."

Beginning today, a 10-day period in which candidate statements can be reviewed to assess questions.

As for the race itself, incumbents Tony Beall and Carol Gamble will try to win over voters while businessman Kenney Hrabik will try to break up what he has referred to as the old guard. All three are seeking four-year terms.

Beall has won election twice to the council; Gamble, the city's second mayor in 2001, was elected when the city formed in 2000. She eventually had to resign to care for her parents, but won an appointment to a two-year seat that was made available last year when for the same reason.

Hrabik, named on three of four ballots during a in the appointment process, eventually for the appointed seat.

Three other men who also tried to win Thompson's seat—which was ultimately given to Gamble—are vying for the one two-year term available. Glenn Acosta, Brad McGirr and Larry McCook all filed their papers successfully, ensuring there will be at least one new face on the council by year's end.

Jerry Holloway, who won election to the council three times, chose not to seek reelection.

Peter Whittingham, a planning commissioner by appointment of councilman Steve Baric, took receipt of some necessary paperwork to mount an election run but did not carry through with the process.