Elections for 3 City Council seats will be held on April 11, 1978. The seats are currently held by Floretta Lauber, Charles Gilb and Jack Saelid. The filing period is January 12 - February 2.
In what is expected to be a hotly contested race, seven candidates will vie for two open council seats in the April elections. They include: incumbant Gino Roncelli, Sheng Chang, Mary Dougherty, Charles Chivetta, Vince Foley, James MacDonnell and Mark "Mickey" Segal.
City Councilman Bob Margett has pleaded "no contest" to a lawsuit charging malicious mischief for destroying campaign signs during the April election. He paid a $100 fine.
Newly elected City Councilman Bob Margett has had a lawsuit filed against him by Roy Speirs charging malicious mischief for destroying campaign signs in April.
The City Council wants to finish its review of the Caruso outdoor mall project before the April council elections. Opponents to the development feel the Caruso project is being fast-tracked through the approval processes for political reasons.
For the first time, the majority of the candidates in this April's City Council elections are Chinese immigrants. Seven candidates are vying for the three open seats. The candidates are Mayor John Wuo, Sheng Chang, Sho Tay, Shao Hua Wen, Peter Amundson, Bob Harbicht, and Pamela Blackwood.
Mrs. Floretta Lauber, completing her first term as a member of the City Council, has announced that she will not be a candidate for re-election in April due to health problems in her family.
Defeated City Council candidate Roy Seirs urged newly elected Councilman Bob Margett to step down because of his behavior during the latter days of the campaign. This included tearing down other candidates signs and then telling lies about the incident.
Early tallies in the City Council elections show Bob Harbicht, Peter Amundson and John Wuo in the lead. Measure A, calling for a train bridge over Santa Anita Avenue, appears to have passed.
James Helms' City Council seat will be "up for grabs" as the city Charter prohibits more than 2 consecutive terms. Also, Dr. Alton Scott's seat will be available as he has announced that he will not seek re-election. Candidates may pick up nomination papers on January 15 and must file by noon on February 5 for the April election.