The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County, an Inter-League Organization, and constituent Local Leagues as available in communities holding elections on April 11, 2006 and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Development, Public Safety, City Election Schedule

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Dwight P. McDonald:

The balance does not come easy, but is attainable through planning, education, and design. The City was established in order to be a balance of quality of life, coupled with the services needed to maintain the rual atmosphere, and functionality of a city.

Development should be balanced with the ability to provide the needed services associated with the population, but not at the cost of adverse impact on the environment and quality of life for which the city was originally established. You can't put five quarts in a gallon container, and the city cannot afford to grow beyond its' capability to provide for its' people at levels or service and security less than expected and entitled. The City must weigh every option, consider the pros and cons, seek the input of the citizens of the City, and then make the approprite decisons on the need for development and the impact on the environment.

Answer from Lynne Plambeck:

The Santa Clara River, LA County's last wild river, runs through the City of Santa Clarita. The City should create a greenway along its banks and not approve housing in the flood plain. A greenway preservation strategy would also protect drinking water supplied from the river alluvium. I support sustainable, "smart growth" building policies that protect our hillsides. I support requiring 5 acres/1000 people when considering new development as required by our general plan.

Answer from Ken W. Dean:

I believe it is possible to strike a balance between necessary growth and the retention of green belts only when the City of Santa Clarita partners with Los Angeles County. Areas where the County has signed off unfettered development, and worse, mining of lands that butt up against the city is an example of the Country trampling on the needs of the City.

Answer from Henry Schultz:

Reduce overall density of new development and make sure there is infrastructure so that schools do not become more crowded, roads more crowded, etc. The Santa Clara River and the surrounding mountain greenbelt must be protected and brought into public ownership. The city needs to acquire more open space - we are 900+ acres short of park space.

Answer from Jo Ann (Smith) Curtis, Esq.:

City Counsel must develop a comprehensive plan that allows for the moderate controlled growth of Santa Clarita without destroying what makes our community so attractive to new residents. I propose that homebuilders, developers, and corporate investors allocate a small percentage of profits in order to fund the infrastructure necessary to facilitate their extremely profitable construction projects. It only makes sense that those that profit most, should assist in insuring that Santa Clarita remains an attrative city to raise a family.

Answer from Lynne Plambeck:

We currently contract with the County Sheriffs for police services. But the police can't be everywhere. I will urge the City to encourage and support neighorhood watch efforts and to work with local businesses to ensure their security.

Answer from Jo Ann (Smith) Curtis, Esq.:

The City Council needs to focus on the basics. Enforce the rules and laws designed to keep the community a model for others to follow. Appoint or elect firm judges that do not allow criminals to get away with crimes. Enlist volunteers for regular graffiti cleanup, community neighborhood watch, and immediately report any violation of the law to the Sheriff

Answer from Henry Schultz:

The city is currently adding more police and actively fighting grafitti and gangs. I support the current policies.

Answer from Ken W. Dean:

I believe a hybrid of new and old ways can ultimately insure that the City of Santa Clarita remains one of the safest cities in California. One potential solution to law enforcement being unable to keep up with a growing crime element would be to mirror Simi Valley and other communities by having our own police force.

Answer from Dwight P. McDonald:

The time has come for the City of Santa Clarita to establish its' own Police and Fire Departments, and not be subjec to the dictates of a rented police or fire service, which has its' own agenda, and may not be in the best interest of those who pay for those services. The City of Santa Clarita needs to have Police and Fire services which is subject to the City who employs them, with supervision and management who are responsible to the people of Santa Clarita and the City Council. A city owned and maintained police and fire service will create a dedicated and devoted department, who will take ownership of the city, and provide the highest quality service to ensure that the city where they work and live is safe and secure. Currently the rented law enforcement and fire service utilized by the City are compensated, by the county, and are ultimately subject to the County of Los Angeles, and not the City of Santa Clarita. Public Safety services which are directly accountble to the city that employs them will provide the desired services and results, as opposed to a rented service.

Answer from Ken W. Dean:

Obviously almost no one gets out for these stand-along City Council elections. A truly democratic system would schedule City Council elections along with other state and national office elections. This would insure the greatest sample of residents participate in choosing the council.

Answer from Henry Schultz:

The election should be held in November to reduce cost and increase voter participation.

Answer from Dwight P. McDonald:

The practice of having the election for City Council as currently established works well because of the fact that the people of Santa Clarita are focused on the candidates which directly impact the future of their city, and they are not inundated with advertisments from State or Federal candidates or issues, and thus eliminates the frustration and confusion. Given the fact that the only issue before the people of the City is whom they want for their City Council, they are more likely to become educated on the candidates, and vote. The City Council election is critical to the people and should not be taken lightly. The City Council vote, more than any other election, has the greatest impact on the people of Santa Clarita. If only for that reason alone, the current City Council election should maintain its current election schedule.

Answer from Jo Ann (Smith) Curtis, Esq.:

I would need to assess and compare the relative importance of different factors before making a decision. I favor continuing with the present practice of the election in April of the even numbered years.

Answer from Lynne Plambeck:

The disadvantages of an April election are low turn out and potentially higher costs than a consolidated election. One advantage is that those who DO come out to vote are often better informed than those who may just be checking boxes for City offices because they came out to vote for the satewide offices. With eleven candidates in the race, an April election may give the voters more time to investigate the candidates.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.