3 TO CHALLENGE INCUMBENTS COUNCIL ELECTION FILING OPENS NEXT WEEK.

Byline: Judy O'Rourke Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - The filing period for the City Council election doesn't open until Monday, but three people have already announced they will challenge incumbents Laurene Weste, Marsha McLean and Frank Ferry, whose terms expire in April.

Environmentalist Henry Schultz, paralegal Michael Cruz and sheriff's Deputy Mark Hershey have filed preliminary paperwork to run in the April 11 city election.

Schultz is a retired scientist and Sierra Club member who champions smart growth, which means amenities must match the needs of new residents. ``Development has occurred at the behest of developers, not at the behest of folks who pay the price down the road,'' said Schultz, 60, who ran unsuccessfully for council in 2004.

Cruz, 36, has filed paperwork to form an exploratory committee. His main concerns are crime and public safety. ``I would like to see an increase in the number of sheriffs, and focus on the gang and graffiti problem, especially in the eastern part of Santa Clarita,'' said Cruz, who works for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.

Hershey, 48, has been a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff for 21 years. He lamented the failure of the city's recent bid to create an assessment district to buy more open space and parkland. ``I want growth to be more controlled,'' he said. ``I want to be sure we have more parks and open spaces.'' He said ensuring the city's water supply meets the demand of new developments is essential.

McLean confirmed she will run for re-election. Weste and Ferry could not be reached.

Tonight, Mayor Cameron Smyth is expected to pass the the council's largely ceremonial leadership role to Weste. McLean is expected to be named Mayor Pro Tem. If she prevails in the April elections, McLean would be next in line for mayor.

Smyth announced in September he will run for the state Assembly seat being vacated by Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills. Smyth will seek his party's endorsement in the June primary, with the general election set for next November.

If Smyth is successful in his bid for statewide office, the remaining council members will have options in dealing with the vacant seat. They can call a special election or appoint a successor, said Santa Clarita City Clerk Sharon Dawson. Smyth's second council term expires in April 2008. The deadline for filing is Jan. 13. Dawson said if incumbents do not file nomination papers by that date, the filing period is extended to Jan. 18 for non-incumbents.

Judy O'Rourke, [phone]

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

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