Olsen opposes direct election of the mayor, saying, "The benefit is diminished because you'll have two good people running for mayor and then have one not serve."
He said he supports the assessment district but expects it to lose because voters are looking at it as simply another tax. Olsen said he had tried to get council approval to determine exactly how much money would be needed for the new fire station, but the council majority did not agree.
- Hal Starr, 62, is a retired high school teacher who owns the Pic-Nic Fry, a fast-food outlet on Crescent Avenue, the main street. He grew up in Wilmington but lived in Avalon for a year each in the 1940s and 1950s before moving here permanently in 1979.
He said he is running because he has the time and because "God has given me a good mind." He said being a teacher for 26 years has prepared him for dealing with the public.
He said he is interested in providing more services for youth groups and senior citizens.
Starr would not say how he intends to vote on the propositions.
- Irene L. Strobel, 45, is the mother of three adult children and has lived in Avalon since 1964. She and her husband, Frank, own Catalina Flying Boats Inc., a seaplane freight service.
Strobel said she is seeking reelection because she wants to keep things in Avalon the way they are. In addition to new public restrooms, she takes partial credit for rehabilitation of the Pleasure Pier and a child fingerprinting program.
She said she opposes direct election of the mayor because council members know best who among them has the time to devote to the job.
She said she would vote for the assessment district as a sign of support for the fire chief, but she said people are afraid to vote for it because no one knows how much each resident will have to pay or for how long.
Strobel said there is nothing wrong with the per-diem policy as long as proper records are kept. She said the policy allows council members to take trips without having to wait for a council meeting to request the money.
- Roger Cadman, who does not list an occupation on the ballot, could not be reached for an interview. However, in a statement published by the Islander, Cadman said that he has lived in Avalon more than 35 years. He listed improving the sewer treatment plant as his top priority. He also said he supports creating more activities for youth groups.
