Former Councilman Anderson Considered for City Treasurer Job

By Jim Shilander

The San Clemente City Council on Tuesday will consider the appointment of former councilman Joe Anderson to fill the post of City Treasurer after Pall Gudgeirsson takes over as city manager March 21.

Anderson served on the council for four terms before losing a bid for a fifth term in 2010.

The city treasurer position is an elected one, and Gudgeirsson was reelected without opposition last November. When the council approved his appointment as city manager at its December 4 meeting, City Attorney Jeff Goldfarb indicated that the council had the option of either appointing someone to serve out Gudgeirsson’s term or to hold a special election to fill the post.

City Manager George Scarborough is retiring March 20, and Gudgeirsson takes over the next day.

Anderson holds an economics degree and served in business management at both Mobil Oil and State Farm Insurance. As a councilmember, he also served on the California State Joint Powers Insurance Board and helped to guide the city’s current investment policies on the council.

Anderson said he sees the treasurer position as a good way to stay involved in the community.

“I’ve been very involved in our community for a long time,” Anderson said. “This is a community service position for which I’m qualified, so I’m volunteering my service.”

Anderson said it was “too early to tell,” whether he would run for the office when the term expires in 2016, particularly due to the length of the appointment. The office pays a $500 per month stipend.