TWO COMMISSIONERS TOSS HATS IN COUNCIL RACE.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE

Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- With one year left before the Santa Clarita City Council election, a scramble already is under way for the two open seats.

Santa Clarita Planning Commissioner Diane Trautman and Parks Commissioner Laurie Ender -- who were among hopefuls to fill a council vacancy earlier this year -- have tossed their hats in the ring, joining a sitting councilman and two high-profile community members.

Ender held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to announce her candidacy. "Santa Clarita is a growing community, and it's important to provide representation to everyone who lives here, whether you've lived here for 50 years or if you've just moved in. I believe there's a disconnect between some of the leaders in our community and many of our residents."

Commissioners serve four-year terms. Ender, who was appointed to the Parks Commission 4 1/2 years ago by Councilman Frank Ferry, served as president of the Santa Clarita Valley Council PTA for two years and was a TV producer for 14 years. She became a stay-at-home mom -- "who's never home," she said -- and put her energy into local issues.

Trautman, selected by Mayor Marsha McLean, is serving her second term on the Planning Commission since being appointed in 2002. She operates a local tutoring business.

"It's important to have council members who are knowledgable about what's going on in the city, and I have a strong working knowledge as a planning commissioner," she said.

"I have demonstrated I'm willing to educate myself continually so I can make informed decisions."

She said the choices voters make in the coming years will dictate what the city looks like when it's built out and the population has doubled.

In December, after winnowing a field of 15 candidates to five, the council appointed Tim Ben Boydston to fill the 14 months left in the term of Cameron Smyth after Smyth took a state Assembly seat. Ender was third in the top tier of candidates the council interviewed.

Boydston's selection hinged in part on his promise not to run in 2008. Councilman Bob Keller will run for re-election to his third four-year term. In March, Bob Spierer, who served 32 years in the Sheriff's Department before retiring in 2001, and chemical engineer Maria Gutzeit, who is vice president of a local water board, said they would run.

Boydston said he may run in 2010 or seek a different seat.

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

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