Carolyn Nash

In a smooth transfer of power, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously elected Mayor Pro Tem Wyatt T. Hart as the new mayor and Councilman David M. Swerdlin as the new mayor pro tem. The action came after the outgoing mayor, Carolyn Nash, received a standing ovation from the council, staff and members of the audience.

In a smooth transfer of power, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously elected Mayor Pro Tem Wyatt T. Hart as the new mayor and Councilman David M. Swerdlin as the new mayor pro tem. The action came after the outgoing mayor, Carolyn Nash, received a standing ovation from the council, staff and members of the audience.

Collene Campbell and Carolyn Nash, this historic city's first-ever female council members, this week were chosen to become, respectively, the first female mayor and mayor pro tem. Campbell, who fulfilled a 14-year ambition to be San Juan Capistrano's mayor, was elected to a one-year term Tuesday night on a 4-1 vote of the City Council. She will be sworn in to replace Mayor Gil Jones on Dec. 7. "I am very anxious to try and fill the big shoes of Gil's," Campbell said.

Collene Campbell and Carolyn Nash, this historic city's first-ever female council members, this week were chosen to become, respectively, the first female mayor and mayor pro tem. Campbell, who fulfilled a 14-year ambition to be San Juan Capistrano's mayor, was elected to a one-year term Tuesday night on a 4-1 vote of the City Council. She will be sworn in to replace Mayor Gil Jones on Dec. 7. "I am very anxious to try and fill the big shoes of Gil's," Campbell said.

For the first time in the history of this cowboy town, two women were sworn in as City Council members. San Juan, which was incorporated in 1961 but was founded in the late 1700s, was the last city in Orange County to open its council doors to women. Collene Campbell and Carolyn Nash broke the male dominance when they were sworn in Tuesday. "They are both strong-willed and outspoken and have a great deal of pride and that's good," said Mayor Gil Jones.

Saying that a commercial airport at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station would have a negative effect on the community, the City Council this week reiterated its support for Measure S. "No matter if it's commercial or cargo, the takeoff and landing patterns will go right directly over our city," Councilwoman Carolyn Nash said. "We just feel that it will be more beneficial to look at other options."

City Councilwoman Collene Campbell has filed to run in November for a second four-year term. A 17-year resident of San Juan Capistrano, Campbell was first elected to the City Council in 1992 and served as mayor in 1993, becoming the first woman to hold that position. She and outgoing Councilwoman Carolyn Nash were the first woman to sit on the council.

City Councilwoman Carolyn Nash announced this week that she will not run for reelection in November. In a prepared statement, Nash said she cannot pledge another four years to the council because of "business and personal time requirements and commitments." Nash was first elected to the City Council in 1992 and served as mayor in 1995. During her tenure, she was an advocate for the city's goals of controlled growth, ridgeline preservation, open spaces and maintaining a small-town atmosphere.

A $9,300 campaign to encourage residents and outsiders to shop and dine in downtown won approval this week from the City Council. The "Shop and Dine" will include direct mail, signs in neighboring cities and information packets for hotel guests. Councilman Gil Jones said the program "was not the answer" but a good first step for improving the business climate.

For the first time in the history of this cowboy town, two women were sworn in as City Council members. San Juan, which was incorporated in 1961 but was founded in the late 1700s, was the last city in Orange County to open its council doors to women. Collene Campbell and Carolyn Nash broke the male dominance when they were sworn in Tuesday. "They are both strong-willed and outspoken and have a great deal of pride and that's good," said Mayor Gil Jones.

To make it easier for tourists and local visitors to find historic buildings, the city has published a brochure with a two-mile walking tour of historic San Juan Capistrano. Recently installed pedestrian signs downtown complement the brochure, which highlights more than 200 years of local history and 25 sites listed on the city's inventory of historic and cultural resources.

A total of eight candidates met this week's filing deadline and will seek two open seats in the Nov. 3 City Council election. Up for grabs are the seats of Councilmen Kenneth E. Friess and Jerry Harris, whose terms will expire in November. Friess, a 16-year member of the five-man council, announced last year that he would not seek reelection. Harris, however, who was appointed to the council last November, has entered the race.