Deadline Wednesday for City Council Applicants

By Martin Henderson

It only takes three votes to win election the City Council of Lake Forest, but anyone who wants to participate in the race to fill the seat vacated by Peter Herzog had better get their packet together quickly.

Applicants have until Wednesday, 6 p.m., to turn in their package—in person—to city clerk Stephanie Smith. The Council will interview candidates publicly and make a decision over the following two weeks. Failure to come to a consensus by Dec. 14 would force the City to hold a special election in April that would cost taxpayers between $166,000 and $189,000.

• The application package can be found here.
• Peter Herzog resigns as council member

Although applicants won't have to go through a lengthy or expensive campaign as in a normal election, there is a price: Questions and forms required to fill the position virtually assures they will be more closely vetted than the council members who are already seated. 

The appointee must receive three of the four votes.

The term expires Dec. 31, 2014.

In addition to answering on paper a dozen questions posed by the city's elected brain trust, applicants must submit a detailed resume showing work and community involvement history, a candidate statement between 200-1,000 words on qualifications and why they want the position, and a Statement of Economic Interest Form 700. 

Registered voters of Lake Forest are eligible. The position pays $704 per month.

Here is the list of questions, broken into five parts: 

Tell us about yourself

• How long have you lived in Lake Forest?
• What percentage of elections have you voted in since you were first eligible to vote?
• Did you vote in the 2012 election?
• Is there anything in your background that would reflect poorly on the City?

Tell us about your involvement in the community

• Please indicate: a) If you are a Lake Forest Leadership Academy Graduate? b) The number of council or commission meetings you have attended the last two years, and if you attended what were the major topics of discussion you found interesting?
• Please indicate, if applicable: a) What City sponsored workshops or seminars have you attended? b) What grand openings you have attended for Lake Forest businesses?

Tell us about your relationships to current Lake Forest Council Members or Employees:

• If applicable, please describe any social or business relationships or professional affiliations with City Council Members or City employees.
• If applicable, please describe any endorsements, assistance or contributions to any campaign initiated by any member of the City Council.

Tell us about your understanding of City government:

• City Council Members are elected on a non-partisan basis. What do you think it means to hold a non-partisan office?
• What does the Ralph M. Brown Act mean to you?

Tell us about your vision for the City:

• What do you hope to accomplish during your time of service as a Lake Forest City Council Member?
• What prompted you to apply for office?