WESTE STEPS INTO POST AS NEW MAYOR SANTA CLARITA GOALS OUTLINED.

Byline: Judy O'Rourke Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Councilwoman Laurene Weste wasted no time in sharing her high hopes for the city's future after she was sworn in as Santa Clarita's mayor earlier this week.

Weste ticked off a laundry list of big projects aimed at keeping up with the growing population - some government-driven, others public-private partnerships - but said at the same time she values keeping the city's small-town feeling.

``My vision for Santa Clarita is not what we see in other valleys,'' she said Tuesday night. ``Santa Clarita has the opportunity to be the forward-thinking community.''

Among the improvements are road projects designed to reduce traffic jams, a new community center due to open in Newhall in January and the multimillion dollar launch of the Newhall redevelopment plan.

Weste, a former Parks and Recreation commissioner, praised the city's trail system, which she was instrumental in creating, and said three trail segments will open in the coming year.

Taking her second turn at the city's helm, Weste accepted the gavel from outgoing two-term Mayor Cameron Smyth. Weste was mayor in 2000-2001, and this past year served as mayor pro tem. Her second term expires in April and she will seek a third.

The Santa Clarita City Council consists of five members who serve four-year terms. Elections are held on even-numbered years to fill two or three seats. Each December, the council meets to choose one member as mayor and another as mayor pro tem. The mayor pro tem is in line to become mayor the following year.

Councilwoman Marsha McLean was named mayor pro tem on a 4-1 vote. In 2003, she was bypassed for a year as mayor. Councilman Bob Kellar, who preceded Smyth as mayor, cast the ``no'' vote on Tuesday. He declined to elaborate on why. Councilman Frank Ferry, who nominated McLean, said she has earned the right to be named. McLean won her council seat in 2002. Ferry commended her passion and hard work on environmental and legislative issues. ``I hope she'll prove she has what it takes to be mayor,'' he said.

McLean said she is looking forward to following Weste as mayor. Ferry and McLean, who are also up for re-election in April, say they will run.

After the meeting, Weste said she is particularly concerned about disaster preparedness and feels the city could do more to ready itself for the next fire, flood or earthquake.

She said most people are not geared up to fend for themselves, and the city needs to do more outreach and planning to prepare for the inevitable.

In September, Smyth announced he will run for the state Assembly seat being vacated by Keith Richman, R-Granada Hills. Smyth will seek his party's endorsement in the June primary, with the general election set for next November.

If Smyth is successful in his bid for statewide office, the remaining council members will have options in filling the vacant seat. They can call a special election or appoint a successor, said Santa Clarita City Clerk Sharon Dawson. Smyth's term expires in April 2008.

Judy O'Rourke, [phone]

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

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