NO SHOO-IN SUCCESSOR FOR KLAJIC; BACKERS SEEK CANDIDATE.

Byline: Angela M. Lemire Staff Writer

Backers for Councilwoman Jill Klajic are pinning as much hope on a possible voter-initiative drive to promote slow-growth as on finding a like-minded candidate to represent their views in the next municipal election.

Klajic, a slow-growth advocate known for her outspokenness during a near-decadelong City Council run, announced Monday she will not seek re-election April 11. The decision left her supporters questioning who would assume Klajic's position on the council.

Despite Klajic's minority votes on some controversial development issues, supporters claim she and Councilwoman Jan Heidt appealed to a large segment of the community that wants tighter control on development to reduce impacts on schools, water supplies, traffic and environment. Heidt, whose term also expires in April, has not announced whether she will run again.

Several Klajic supporters Tuesday doubted whether another candidate with similar philosophies on growth would enter the council race for fear of political attacks, costly campaigns and opponents heavily funded by developers.

``I don't know anyone who can run in (Klajic's) place,' said Christine Jennis. ``There's nobody as outspoken as Jill.''

Bob Lathrop, a regular at public hearings on development issues, said Klajic is considered ``controversial'' because ``she speaks her mind when few people are willing to do that anymore.''

``I certainly hope somebody like her will step forward. It's a loss to the community,'' said Newhall County Water District Board member Lynne Plambeck, who joined Klajic, Joan Dunn and Jackie Bettencourt in a private residents' lawsuit against Castaic Lake Water Agency's purchase of Santa Clarita Water Company last summer.

Five candidates so far have taken out nomination papers for the coming City Council race, and three have indicated that they definitely will run: Eileen Connolly, 45, a 10-year Saugus school board member and who formerly served as board president; Rein Schuerger, 39, a Los Angeles County sheriff's sergeant; and Cameron Smyth, 28, deputy chief of staff to state Sen. William J. ``Pete'' Knight, R-Palmdale.

Late Monday, Robert Heinisch of Valencia, took out papers from the city clerk's office.

Marsha McLean, who made an unsuccessful council bid in 1998, also has taken out candidacy papers, but Tuesday said she is undecided about whether to run again. Candidates have until Jan. 14 to turn in nomination papers.

``I want to run, but it will depend on whether I can raise enough money for the campaign by the end of the filing period,'' said McLean, whose goal is to raise $30,000.

Klajic said she knows little about Connolly or Schuerger to offer an endorsement, but labeled Smyth a ``developer pawn.''

``That's unfounded and unfortunate,'' Smyth later responded. ``Since I've never served on the council, I haven't made any votes that would indicate that . . . I feel I represent a wide range of people across the (Santa Clarita) valley and would do a good job of bringing their views to the council.''

Smyth added, ``Sure, Jill and I would differ on some opinions, but a five-member council has room for varying opinions.''

Connolly said she considers herself a ``controlled growth'' advocate, while Schuerger called himself a ``managed growth'' advocate. Both said they regard increased development as inevitable and foresee it as the City Council's duty to limit negative impacts from new houses on existing neighborhoods.

Before annexing new areas or approving residential subdivisions, the council should ensure that they bring enough park land and roads with them, Connolly said.

Schuerger added that city officials must become more involved with the county in planning developments in unincorporated areas because they affect city services and infrastructure.

McLean declined to label herself on growth issues, saying unique and important considerations accompany each development proposal. But she agreed with other candidates that developments must add to existing infrastructure and services.

``There's good growth and bad growth,'' McLean said. ``You can't stop growth altogether, but if it's going to hurt a certain group of people near it, you need to put in place some tough controls.''

Mayor Jo Anne Darcy said that despite Klajic's departure - and Heidt's unknown intentions - the public can expect to see more concerted efforts by the City Council to slow development.

``I think you'll see a tougher line in the coming year . . . I personally plan on taking a harder line,'' said Darcy. ``Being on the City Council right now is the toughest job it's ever been, and we're probably making the toughest decisions we'll ever make.''

Now 12 years old, the city is in a healthier financial position to slow development and make stronger demands on developers for transportation, road and park contributions, Darcy said.

She added, ``We'll do what we can to slow growth, in whatever ways that can be held up in court.''

As for Klajic's departure, Darcy wished her well and said her concerns on environmental issues would always be ``her stamp on the community.''

While some Klajic supporters named a handful of prospects to resume Klajic's role, of those reached for comment, only McLean indicated a willingness to run.

Skip Newhall confirmed he was asked to run, but decided against it.

Newhall - a descendant of the community's pioneering family - said he has neither the time nor the money. He added that he would have to sell his share of stock in The Newhall Land and Farming Company if he ran to avoid a conflict of interest, but he cannot afford to do so now.

``If I was 20 years younger, I would do it,'' said Lathrop, who also is retired, and recommended Newhall and Mclean as possible candidates.

But most supporters reacted favorably to Klajic's idea for a grass-roots petition drive and special ballot measure that would require the city to bring new residential developments before a vote of the people.

However, Newhall was skeptical, foreseeing the difficulties of encouraging public participation in multiple special elections each year for various development proposals.

The proposal is still in early planning stages, Klajic said Monday, noting that she is studying existing models in other communities. She does not know whether a measure could be prepared in time for the April 11 municipal election, she said.