Background: Incumbent, appointed to City Council in 1991 and elected in 1992; served as mayor in 1995; worked as a volunteer in local schools; reestablished city's Fourth of July celebration; resident of La Habra for 39 years
Major issues: Upgrade railroad crossings; resurface city streets; improve parks and recreation facilities; keep residents informed; maintain number of emergency personnel
Jephthah Holley
Age: 20
Occupation: Student at Rio Hondo College, Whittier
Background: Graduated from Whittier Christian High School, 1994; La Habra resident for eight years
Major issues: Start a class to teach logic in local schools; expand local cable TV operation to create new channels and better service; cut city expenditures; bring business to the city
John C. Holmberg
Age: 39
Occupation: Owner of County Records Research, Santa Ana
Background: Elected to City Council in 1980, reelected in 1984 and 1988; served as mayor in 1984, 1988 and 1991; currently serves as Chamber of Commerce's "Shop La Habra" campaign and president-elect of the La Habra Boys and Girls Club; La Habra resident for 35 years
Major issues: Improve economic development through redevelopment projects; keep police and fire services as city's top priority in annual budget
Merciline La Porte
Age: 67
Occupation: Realtor in Whittier
Background: Member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and National Assn. of Realtors; holds cosmetology license and bartender's certificate; La Habra resident for 30 years
Major issues: Repeal 4-year-old utility tax; reduce wages of city employees; reduce and eventually eliminate youth programs and other services; abolish redevelopment agency; make city manager's job an elected post
Jonathan H. Wiegman
Age: 32
Occupation: Self-employed financial economist
Background: Buys and sells stocks and stock options. Honorably discharged from U.S. Army and Marine Corp Reserves; served as Army and Marine sergeant; master's degree in business economics from Cal State Fullerton; La Habra resident for 22 years
Major issues: Repeal utility tax; extend library hours by recruiting work volunteers; cut Police Department's DARE (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) program; stop any expansion of city programs; refuse future pay raises for city employees
Source: Individual candidates; Researched by MIMI KO CRUZ / For The Times
