Irvine Mayoral and City Council Candidates

Four candidates, including Councilwoman Chrisitna Shea and former Mayor Sally Anne Sheridan, are seeking the mayor’s office. Mike Ward, who has held the city’s top post for four years, is prohibited by law from seeking another term. However, Ward is running for one or two open council seats. A look at the contenders:

For Mayor

Paul Johnson

Age: 38

Occupation: Attorney

Background: Former member of city’s Campaign Reform Committee

Major issues: Prevent gang infiltration in city; oppose county using tax dollars to build an airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

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Guy E. Mally

Age: 42

Occupation: Attorney and partner of turnaround management company, Lipinski, Mally & Arnold.

Background: Member, Orange Count Bar Assn.; Orange County Business Council and Southern California Turnaround Management Assn.

Major issue: Promote county proposal to build an El Toro airport to boost Irvine’s economy and create thousands of new jobs.

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Christina Shea

Age: 46

Occupation: Community activist

Background: Incumbent councilwoman; president, Irvine Child Cre Project; board member, American Cancer Society, Irvine chapter; member, League of California Cities Resolutions Committee, Orange Coutny Overall Economic Development Committee and El Toro Reuse Planning Authority.

Major issues: Gie decision- making responsibility to elected officials; encourage city leaders to rely less on staff direction and be accountable for their votes.

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Sally Anne Sheridan

Age: 60

Occupation: Realtor

Background: Former mayor and council member; member, Orange County Coastal Greenbelt Authority; president, Irvine Senior Foundation; co-founder, Irvine Conservatory for Music and Irvine Arts Alliance

Major issues: Etablish public-private partnerships to renovate Heritage Park Aquatic Complex and other aging city facilities; improve public transporation for homebound seniors; strengthen city relationships with UC Irvine and local businesses.

For City Council

Dave Christensen

Age: 51

Occupation: Owns silk-screen printing business

Background: Planning commissioner; coach for youth football and baseball; former Chicago police officer; pilot.

Major issues: Use law enforcement experience to improve Police Department; reinstate police narcotics division; boost employee morale in the department; require all lieutenants and commanders to ride along with patrol officer at least once a week.

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Knneth L. Hansen

Age: 52

Occupation: Co-owner, Asset Advisory Co., an investment banking firm in Laguna Hills; co-owner, First Independent Financial Group, an equity lending company in Rancho Santa Margarita; owner, PM Co., property management development firm in Laguna Hills.

Background: 15 years’ experience in banking; 20 years’ experience in property and development management; chairman, city’s Financial Investment Committee.

Major issue: Reestablish city’s spending priorities so aging infrastructure can be replaced and public services maintained despite city’s $45- million loss in the Orange County bankruptcy.

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Bruce Peotter

Age: 37

Occupation: Attorney

Background: Finance commissioner; former member, Irivne Election Reform Commission

Major issues: Improve public safety by shifting more funds to the Police Department so additional officers can patrol streets; develop programs aimed at keeping youth out of trouble.

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Mike Ward

Age: 50

Occupation: Sells sandblasting and dust-collecting equipment for family- owned manufacturing business.

Background: Completing term as mayor; board of directors, Orange County Fire Authority, San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency and Orange County Cities Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Agency.

Major issue: Continue to make city more business- friendly by eliminating utility user tax for businesses and expediting permit processing.

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by LORI HAYCOX / For The Times