Council Candidates Make Final Pitch

Seven hopefuls on why they should help lead the city for four years

By Jim Shilander

The candidates for San Clemente City Council were asked five questions about issues facing the city during the upcoming term. This week marks the final question. Candidate Fred Olsen withdrew his candidacy on Aug. 20 but rejoined the race last week. He was not asked previous questions because he was not actively campaigning, but was given an opportunity to answer this week’s.

The candidates’ statements are presented unedited.

This week’s question:

Why should voters choose you to help guide San Clemente for the next four years? 

Mikii Rathmann:

We live in exciting times that require local leaders who make conscientious decisions for today as well as for future generations. My deepening roots in San Clemente provide me a long-term perspective on the challenges we currently face. It’s vital that we manage growth, while preserving the qualities that make San Clemente unique. I believe it is possible to foster progress, while protecting the village character that brought many of us here and keeps visitors returning to support our local economy.

A Vote For Me Is a Vote For:

• Fresh ideas and effective solutions, guaranteeing our city continues to support opportunities for local businesses to flourish.
• Ensuring safe neighborhoods for our families, while preserving San Clemente’s status as one of the 100 safest cities in America.
• Vigilance in monitoring the decommissioning of SONGS and the changes at our local hospital.
• Strong stewardship for our cherished coastal resources.
• Managing responsible growth as we complete the I-5 widening, Pico expansion, the outlets, and Marblehead Coastal.

My steadfast commitment to serve the people of San Clemente makes me especially qualified to earn your vote. You will be pleased knowing that you’ve elected an eager and enthusiastic representative, your voice in the government of San Clemente.

Fred Olsen”

My family and I are proud to live in San Clemente.

I am a retired business executive of a Fortune 500 company with vast experience in operations and marketing. My experience will help lead our cities financial challenges using a business approach. This means taking a conservative approach and not balancing our budget on the back of our preserved ‘investment fund’. Our economic revenue zones (Golf Course, Talega Sports Complex) need to become self-sustaining. The Outlet Mall is a down trending business model. Our downtown retail stores are in jeopardy of losing 20% – 25% in sales and profit, which no one is addressing. Budgeting properly the first time is key in solving the current over spending on our Ole Hanson renovation, beach restrooms and parking improvements.

Our future can be bright, but an executive level business approach is paramount.

I bring the experience to correct the aforementioned. I can help shape our operations, which will allow our city and businesses to grow while maintaining our first rate beaches, surfing and preserve our heritage.

Ricardo Nicol:

Voters are going to choose the best qualified and most capable candidates to serve San Clemente. I’m a lifelong San Clemente local, retired Army Colonel and Afghanistan veteran. I’m an experienced lawyer and run my own firm.

As an old surfer I stand for improved beach access, sand replenishment, and preserving ocean views and open space. I will never support selling city-owned beachfront to big developers. I will vigorously support getting rid of the nuclear waste dump at San Onofre. I am endorsed by the Orange County League of Conservation Voters.

I will work hard to improve public transportation, traffic flow, and parking throughout the city. I will make re-opening the Ole Hanson pool and restoring the Miramar theater a top priority.

I oppose the reduction of police services funding in the face of growing public safety challenges. I oppose closing our hospital emergency room. I believe in “user-friendly” city government, enabling residents and businesses to move forward with good projects. I am a fiscal conservative, and I will not waste your tax dollars.

I stand for San Clemente—qualified, capable, and ready to serve.

Tim Brown: 

It has been a great honor to serve as a member of Council and as Mayor since being elected in 2010, thank you for your support. I have worked hard to understand the issues, be pragmatic in my decision-making and creative in finding solutions—and as a City Council, we have been successful. San Clemente is well positioned for the future with a new General Plan, excellent financial health and a series of new infrastructure projects that will transform how we live, work and play. Even with this bright future, we still need city leaders who are prepared to serve on Council, think clearly and running for the right reasons; and this is why I am running for re-election and again ask for your vote. I love life in San Clemente, I love that I get to raise my family here, and I hope I get to spend the rest of my life enjoying this unique and beautiful place. I promise I will do all I can to keep its charm and small town feel intact while we move forward into the future.

Lori Donchak:

Together, we’ve accomplished a lot this last term. We weathered the recession and preserved San Clemente’s AAA bond rating. We completed the General Plan. We’re voted one of the 100 safest U.S. cities. What a positive reflection on our values and community involvement.

With your support, I’m honored to represent you again. My priorities:

• Traffic Safety: I’ll re-establish the Traffic Taskforce. I’ll be a voice with OCTA through the freeway and La Pata construction.
• AAA Financial Stability. I’ll continue to be financially conservative with our city dollars. You can trust me to manage the budget with care.
• San Clemente residents want to work where we live. I’ll be an advocate for small business owners and others seeking to create jobs in our community.
• First-Rate Beaches. New restrooms and the Ole Hanson Beach Club top my list.
• Communication: I started the Mayor’s Blog and pride myself as being accessible and responsive. I’ll continue to be a good communicator. You can reach me anytime at www.loridonchak.com.

I enthusiastically ask for your vote on November 4.

Jim Dahl: 

There are important issues arising in San Clemente that need experienced council action. The impending closure of our hospital and emergency room is a serious problem. My career as a Fire Captain/ EMT and as your former Mayor make me uniquely qualified to find the best solutions.

I am thoroughly familiar with our sand replenishment project and have worked hard in Washington, DC to bring back our sandy beaches. I will be engaged in the revitalization of North Beach to make it a vibrant coastal entertainment destination we can all enjoy. I back incentives in the General Plan to improve South El Camino Real to Trestles.

As your councilman I will continue to support historical preservation and the downtown, our economy and jobs, traffic management, recreation and sports for our children and young adults. I am an independent thinker and am not beholden to the political machine backing another candidate. For more information: www.JimDahlCityCouncil.com.

Kathy Ward:

I am the candidate that will best represent the residents’ vision of this city—a California beach town with a high quality of life—a quality that I want to keep.

I have attended focus workshops and GPAC meetings since the inception of work on the general plan. Now I am one of your planning commissioners. I have the knowledge and desire to lead our city towards the direction of our new general plan.

Our city is built. What we do know is focus on the older sections of our town and make them better, with a renewed focus on quality of life, better amenities, and safety for pedestrians.

I am promising to renew El Camino Real, and I look forward to finally focusing on North Beach, which is our greatest opportunity to revitalize our city. These are not campaign promises, but promises I will keep.