DOLE RALLY SET FOR MALL IN VALENCIA : SVC LEADERS APPLAUD STOP.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Presidential candidate Bob Dole plans a whistle-stop rally Sunday at the Valencia Town Center mall, one of several stops in a last-minute bid for California's electoral votes just before Tuesday's election.

The Republican nominee will stage a 20-minute rally outside the mall's food court on Town Center Drive. The 7 p.m. event is expected to draw more than 400 people, including Secret Service agents, media representatives and campaign officials.

``It's a prestigious stop,'' Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy said. ``We never had President Clinton here or his vice president. It's a historic occasion.''

In fact, it will be the first time a major presidential contender has stumped in the valley, Mayor Carl Boyer said.

Said City Manager George Caravalho: ``It'll call attention to our great city. I heard he's doing a sweep all over the country and I guess this is one of the stops.''

Dole is planning a 14-state round-the-clock campaign that will take him from Ohio to California and back to Russell, Kan., by election night.

No streets will be blocked off and the Valencia mall will maintain its regular 6 p.m. closing time, organizers said. The Santa Clarita sheriff's station will help direct traffic.

``We're not taking any extra precautions,'' Quinn said. ``He's being guarded by the Secret Service. We'll have units for the traffic control. Other than

that his appearance will be on mall property.''

Mall officials, who learned about the rally Friday afternoon, said the venue will give Dole a good idea of what Santa Clarita is about.

``I think it's a great idea,'' said regional mall manager Charles Gill. ``We're sort of representative of the center of town and its local gathering spot.''

Supporters said Dole's visit will boost the visibility of local Republican candidates. With 90,000 registered Republicans, Santa Clarita boasts the largest concentration of Republicans outside Orange County.

``It will energize our Republican base,'' said Armando Azarloza, press secretary for Rep. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita. ``It's a strong indication that the Dole campaign believes it will win California. They would not be here in California if he didn't think he would win.''

Santa Clarita Valley has had minor brushes with past presidents throughout its history. In 1974, Vice President Gerald Ford was scheduled to speak at CalArts but canceled to be sworn in as president after Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace from the White House. Bush visited as president to inaugurate the North County Correctional Facility at the Pitchess Detention Center in Saugus.