LANCASTER VOTERS FAVORING STATUS QUO IN COUNCIL PICKS.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Mayor Frank Roberts, Councilman Henry Hearns and Planning Commission Chairman Ed Sileo, the incumbents' choice, were leading Tuesday night in incomplete election returns.

Voters were favoring Roberts for a third term as mayor over Gene Gaynor, William Fender, Anthony Booth and Norm Hickling.

Roberts, a retired Antelope Valley College dean and teacher, was elected to the City Council in 1992 and in 1996 became the city's first mayor elected directly by voters. Roberts was re-elected mayor in 1998 and 2000.

Hearns, a church pastor and former Edwards Air Force Base administrator who serves as vice mayor, was running for his fourth term on the council. Sileo, who was endorsed by all five members of the City Council, was leading for the seat vacated by Michelle Idleman.

Competing with Hearns and Sileo for the two council seats were former Mayor George Root; Steve Malicott, the Antelope Valley Chambers of Commerce president; and Andrew Banks, a Lancaster state prison guard.

Roberts and Hearns said during their campaigns that they wanted to see several projects through to completion, including an Antelope Valley Freeway beautification project, the Avenue H overpass, the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds relocation, and the recently started effort to revitalize north downtown.

In his campaign, Sileo highlighted his Planning Commission votes for reducing the land zoned for apartments, for prohibitions on the spreading of sewer sludge and for strict city codes aimed at keeping away adult- oriented businesses.

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