CHANGE PENDING IN CITY COUNCIL; 1ST CHALLENGER DECLARES FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Byline: Angela M. Lemire Staff Writer

The City Council faces political turning points in coming weeks, with a change of leadership at its mayoral inauguration Tuesday and the official start of the election season soon afterward.

Cameron Smyth - deputy chief of staff to Sen. W.J. ``Pete'' Knight, R-Palmdale - on Wednesday became the first challenger in the April municipal election to publicly declare candidacy for one of two at-large, nonpartisan council seats held by incumbents Jan Heidt and Jill Klajic.

The filing period for the April 11 municipal election will be from Dec. 20 to Jan. 14, said City Clerk Sharon Dawson.

Two other potential challengers so far include former William S. Hart Union High School District board member Paula Olivares, who vacated her seat in the fall and cited an interest in a council seat, and Eileen Connolly, former president of the Saugus Union School District board.

Incumbent Klajic said she will seek re-election. Heidt could not be reached for comment.

The April 11 election will be the second council bid for Smyth, 28, who placed fourth in the 1998 contest behind incumbents Frank Ferry, Laurene Weste and current Mayor Jo Anne Darcy.

A Newhall native and son of former Councilman Clyde Smyth, Smyth's motivation to serve as a councilman stems from his desire to remain a lifelong city resident and one day raise children here with his wife, Lena, he said.

Calling himself ``fiscally conservative'' and ``socially moderate,'' Smyth said his priorities will include providing more roads, preserving open space, making sure that future annexations bring benefits to the city, acquiring more parkland and luring the film industry to Santa Clarita. His behind-the-scenes knowledge of the state Legislature, experience with local issues and affiliations with community organizations would benefit the City Council and citizens, he said.

``The last time I ran, I was eager to get in there and make a difference,'' said Smyth. ``Since then I've learned so much more about the community and how the system works, to the point where it's made me a better candidate.''

Connolly, 45, a Saugus board member for 10 years, will decide whether to run after further discussions with her husband and five children, she said, noting that she is ``leaning toward a yes.''

``I'm considering it seriously,'' Connolly said. ``I love the city and the direction it's headed toward so far, but I think it's time for new leadership. I want to be on the council someday, but I have to decide if now's the right time personally.''

Olivares - who disclosed an interest in running for City Council in an interview several months ago - could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.

Councilwoman Klajic - who currently serves as mayor pro tem but has not served as mayor yet - said she will seek re-election as well as the council's top leadership position for the next year.

``I am hoping I will be elected as mayor,'' Klajic said Wednesday. ``I certainly feel I am entitled to be the next mayor. I've worked hard on the council and I have a lot of constituents who have supported me and expect me to take my turn as mayor, like everyone else has for the last 10-12 years.''

Besides Klajic, first-term council members Frank Ferry and Laurene Weste have not served as mayor yet.

Klajic, 53, and a resident for 22 years, will seek her third nonconsecutive four-year term on the City Council. After losing her first re-election bid in 1994, she returned to the council in 1996.

Three-time Mayor Darcy, who plans to retire from politics after her term expires in April 2002, earlier this week said she will not seek a consecutive term as mayor from fellow council members Tuesday night when they choose a new leader at the mayoral inauguration. Darcy said she does not plan to nominate her successor and declined comment on who she would support.

Besides Darcy, Councilwoman Heidt also has served as mayor three times and is the council's other longest-serving member, having been elected to the first City Council after Santa Clarita earned cityhood in 1987.

Weste said she has not sought a mayoral nomination from her peers, but gladly would take the position if offered. She would prefer that Darcy resume her role as mayor, she said, but declined to name a second choice.

Ultimately, she will support a nominee who would maintain an open and unbiased rapport with fellow council members and be able to commit to the demanding and time-consuming role, Weste said.

Ferry could not be reached for comment.

SANTA CLARITA - The filing period for the April 11 municipal election will run from Dec. 20 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 14. If any incumbents have not filed by that time, the nominating period will close at 5 p.m. Jan. 19, said City Clerk Sharon Dawson.

Papers will be available at the City Clerk's Office, Suite 301, City Hall, 23920 Valencia Boulevard, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Nomination papers will require at least 20 and no more than 30 signatures of local residents. Candidates must be 18 years old, a United States citizen, a resident of Santa Clarita and a registered voter at the time nomination papers are issued. For more information, call [phone].

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PHOTO (color) SMYTH