Q&A | 2022 Orange City Council candidates
The Orange City Council will welcome five newly-elected candidates to the dias this year. Photo from The Panther Archives
Twelve candidates are running for five open seats on the Orange City Council this year — the mayor and Districts 1, 3, 4 and 6.
The Panther sent a questionnaire to all 12 candidates asking for their best responses on why they should be elected, notable components of their campaign and what initiatives they want to push for if they were to be elected.
The candidates’ answers have been lightly edited for length, clarity and stylistic standards.
Mayor
Mark Murphy is the incumbent who is running against Dan Slater, a real estate broker and business owner. Murphy has served as mayor and a city councilor for numerous terms, the first of which was in 1993.
Mark Murphy
Photo courtesy of Mark Murphy
Q: Why should residents re-elect you as mayor?
A: Residents should re-elect me as mayor based upon a proven track record of results, including leading the city through the pandemic and securing millions of dollars in funding and resources to support the residents and businesses during the challenges we faced. Orange remains fiscally strong and prepared to address the ongoing economic challenges.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?
A: Public Safety will remain my top priority, and we have added additional personnel and resources to ensure that Orange remains a safe community. My efforts have earned the endorsement of our city of Orange Police Association and the Orange City Firefighters. We will continue to focus on a strong business community in Orange to ensure that we have the economic resources needed to deliver services without any additional taxes required of the residents and property owners.
We will also continue to pursue the acquisition and development of additional parks, trails and open space including the acquisition of the Sully Miller site in East Orange.
Q: What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
A: We have initiated the 517 Project, a team of personnel and resources including city, county, nonprofits and faith-based organizations to offer those who are homeless in the city a continuum of care and services to help them get off the street. During the first five months of operation, 94 individuals have already been helped secure shelter and services to get them on a new trajectory and off the streets.
We will also continue to grow our technology offerings to allow more services to be handled electronically at the residents convenience. The Orange 24/7 app has already been introduced and we plan to expand its offerings over the next year.
Dan Slater
Photo courtesy of Dan Slater
Q: Why should residents elect you as Mayor?
A: I get things done. I’ve owned my own successful small business in Orange for 37 years. My family has been in Orange since the 1800’s, and I love this city. There are issues that aren’t being addressed by tired leadership on the city council. My opponent has been on the council (both as mayor and councilmember) for 27 years. I have lived in Old Towne for 33 years and am an avid proponent of preservation. I was President of the Old Towne Preservation Association and helped get Old Towne listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I’m a big fan of Chapman University and would like to see the city work, collaborate and interact more with the students. I also served on the city council from 1994 to 2002 and have the experience. I want to offer more transparency to the residents. And no matter your political party (I’m no party preference), I want to listen to you and address your concerns.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?
A: We need to do a much better job dealing with the homeless. We are failing. I have a plan that is supported by homeless advocates, and I feel it will actually eliminate homelessness in Orange. We need to better support our police department to ensure crime stays low. We need to clean up the mess off Santiago Canyon Road in East Orange (known as Sully Miller) and make this 100 or so acres permanent open space. We need to better manage our finances. We have an unfunded employee pension liability of $280,000,000 and are ranked 62 from the bottom out of 433 cities in CA for fiscal health by the state auditor.
We need to stop letting developers run city hall and put the residents back in charge. Look at the campaign donations of my opponent. I’m not accepting donations from developers. In that vein, we need to preserve remaining undeveloped land as open space, better support our parks and provide more bike lanes and trails where possible.
Q: What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
A: I would like to tighten our term limits law. You only have to sit out two years, then you can come back and serve 14 more (hence the current problem). I would like to find a way to make the Plaza more friendly to outdoor dining — as long as Glassell stays open to traffic. We can eliminate parking and widen sidewalks. I would like to make car charging stations more available and accessible. I would like to boost the city tree planting program. I would like to work more closely with adjoining cities to resolve more regional issues — like traffic and homelessness.
District 1
District 1 includes Chapman University. Arianna Barrios is the incumbent, and she was elected to the council for the first time in 2020. Her opponent, Jason White, is a contract specialist.
Arianna Barrios
Photo courtesy of Arianna Barrios
Q: Why should residents re-elect you as a councilmember?
A: I share the values of my community because I was born, raised, educated and raised my own family right here in Orange. In my short time on the council, I believe I have proven myself to be an honest, independent fighter on behalf of my district and city-wide issues that need attention. These include public safety, homelessness, code enforcement, development encroachment into residential areas and more. I have been honored to serve as a neighborhood voice on the council and look forward to continuing doing so.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?
A: They are public safety, addressing homelessness, code enforcement improvements and increased transparency. Over the past two years, I have worked tirelessly to make improvements in all these areas and ensure that city hall works for our residents and businesses — not against them.
Q: What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
A: More transparency will be a key initiative. Residents shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to be heard by their elected representatives. This includes additional transparency about campaign finance and lobbying. Code enforcement is another key initiative that has a huge impact on quality of life. We have all the tools we need but lack the political will to enforce our rules fairly.
Jason White
Photo courtesy of Jason White
Q: Why should residents elect you as a councilmember?
A: The residents of Orange should elect me as a council member because I will bring a new voice to the council. Our current city council seems to be a revolving door of the same candidates election year after election year. We need new voices on the council that will listen to their constituents, and the city as a whole. We also need more transparency regarding the council's actions. I have been in public service for almost all of my life, first serving as a United States Marines, next in state government, then in local government, and most recently with the federal government. I know how the government works, and will bring that to the council as well.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?
A: First of all, homelessness and affordable housing need to be dealt with in the city. We need programs in place to help our homeless population, and to work with organizations, and the state and federal governments to develop and implement these programs. These programs need to be wide ranging. Not only dealing with food insecurity, but lodging, job training, and in many cases most importantly, mental health resources. There is also the housing crisis within the city. Just researching the area, it is difficult to find a small, clean, decent place for less than $1900 a month! Affordable housing is the key to revitalizing our city. Finally, we also need more diversity in Old Town Orange. I'm a foodie, and love having so many food options in Old Town, but I know many of the people I have talked to want to see other establishments, other than restaurants and bars go into the Old Town area. It's time to bring back the small downtown feel, similar to the downtown area of the little village in Ohio where I went to law school.
Q: What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
A: There are two big initiatives that I want to bring to Orange within my first year in office. First, I want to see more transparency between the government and our residents. I would push to bring a Police to Community (P2C) page to our city, so that our community has access to know what has happened in their neighborhoods. Right now all that we have are Facebook groups and apps that are filled with speculation, and not facts. Secondly, I would like to build a stronger relationship with Chapman. This could easily happen by more direct communication with the Chapman community, possibly by setting up an advisory board, or even just monthly or quarterly town halls with the student body, faculty, and staff. Chapman is an integral part of our city, and when that relationship flourishes, so will our city.
District 3
Kathy Tavoularis was appointed to the city council in 2021 after a judge ruled that former council member Mike Alvarez was serving illegally after running for a third consecutive term. Alvarez eventually resigned, and after a selection process to choose a replacement, the council decided on Tavoularis.
Her opponent is John Russo, an Orange Unified School District employee who was instrumental in Alvarez’s removal. Russo — the runner-up to Alvarez in the 2020 District 3 election — filed the election challenge that resulted in Alvarez’s resignation.
Russo was in the running to replace Alvarez’s seat when the council was considering appointment, but he ultimately was not chosen, despite large public support backing him as a potential appointee.
Kathy Tavoularis
Photo courtesy of Kathy Tavoularis
Q: Why should residents elect you as a councilmember?
A: Since I have become a councilwoman in 2021, I have delivered results. I defeated and canceled the North Tustin Street Specific Plan that would have opened the door to up to 2,000 possible dwelling units on Tustin Avenue. I led the approval of new Orange police officers for the first time in 22 years. I added an Orange rescue ambulance and advocated for a veterans’ cemetery northeast of Orange. I also led Orange’s efforts to urge Sacramento to suspend the gas tax for six months.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform? What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
I am committed to continue to increase public safety presence in Orange and to lead the revitalization of the Orange Mall and the North Tustin Corridor.
John Russo
Photo courtesy of John Russo
Q: Why should residents elect you as a councilmember?
A: For many years, I have been involved in protecting the residents and serving the community of Orange. I currently hold the position of president with Orange Emblem Club #418 and serve as a board member for the Orange Community Historical Society. I have run for elected office in Orange in the past, and truly believe that I have a deep understanding of how our city works. Additionally, I have worked to protect open space as well as protecting the city’s term limit ordinance. There is a great need for positive and responsible change, and I am looking forward to bringing the leadership necessary to make this change possible.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?
A: I have pledged not to accept money from developers, as I have seen how this has impacted Orange poorly in the past. I am also committed to lowering crime in our city, and I am passionate about making Orange a more business friendly environment.
Q: What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
A: I would like to ensure the startup process for new businesses is streamlined as well as making sure that the voices of the residents of Orange are heard. I also would like to increase public safety and ensure our first responders are fully supported.
District 4
This is the first-ever election for Orange’s District 4. There is no incumbent.
Christopher Horton
Photo courtesy of Christopher Horton
Q: Why should residents elect you as a councilmember?
A: In speaking with thousands of residents in Orange, they are desperate for positive change. They are tired of having the same people elected and the good ole’ boys clubs running our city. This is the case in District 4. My opponent has already served on the Orange City Council (2006 to 2014). Orange needs new leadership, and I am part of the new generation of leadership our city needs to move forward. Leadership that listens to the residents' voices instead of ignoring or mocking them. My family has been in Orange for 78 years, and this is where my wife and I were married and raised our two boys as well as establishing and continuing to run our family-owned and operated small business. I am not using this as a stepping-stone to a higher political seat. This is the highest seat for me.
I’ve been active and have volunteered in the city of Orange and with nonprofits in Orange County for 20+ years, and I want to bring this leadership as well as my business knowledge to city hall. I am the candidate Orange taxpayers can trust.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?
A: I value public safety (police and fire), creating a wildfire evacuation plan in District 4 and addressing the homelessness issue (I have a plan for this). I will vote against any tax increases.
Q: What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
A: I will create an ad-hoc committee with council members and the community to discuss the N. Tustin Street Plan. We need to create a wildfire evacuation plan and create evacuation areas for the different precincts in District 4. We need to contract with non-profits in Orange to address the homelessness issue.
Denis Bilodeau
No response
John Newman
No response
District 6
This is the first-ever election for Orange’s District 6. There is no incumbent.
Adrienne Gladson
Photo courtesy of Adrienne Gladson
Q: Why should residents elect you as a councilmember?
A: I am running for City Council to serve the city of Orange, my home for 36 years, and to give East Orange neighborhoods (District 6) a voice. My 40 years of government and city planning experience make me uniquely qualified to address the challenges facing our city. I was appointed by the Orange City Council to the Planning Commission and Design Review Committee, where I served Orange for 11 years. I relied on facts, common sense and my planning expertise. I will champion our unique neighborhoods and quality of life while tackling the tough issues, including an environmentally safe solution for the Sully Miller site cleanup.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?
A: I will bring thoughtful change and a strong watchdog to move our city forward and restore trust between the people and city hall. My priorities are to make public safety paramount, address issues surrounding homelessness, protect taxpayers, support businesses, be fiscally responsible and ensure transparency, accountability and fairness.
Q: What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
A: My initiatives include restoring proper planning and respect for community plans through education and leadership, expanding open space to erase our 300-acre open space deficit, establishing a code of conduct for city leaders toward residents and fostering a culture that values community input and inclusion.
John Gyllenhammer
Photo courtesy of John Gyllenhammer
Q: Why should residents elect you as a councilmember?
A: I am invested in the city. I have lived here for the last six years, and I will live in Orange for the rest of my life. I have two young kids who will grow up in Orange. They go to Orange schools and play sports here. I want to help make sure Orange remains a safe, open and healthy town for my family to grow up in. I have a desire to serve. I have been an active volunteer in several community service organizations. As a retail manager, I took on the role of West Region Community Captain. I was an active board member for the United Ways of CA from 2017 to 2020. On Sunday, I serve as a third grade Sunday school teacher at my church.
I have experience to make an impact. I am currently a regional director for Amazon. I lead a large team of associates (9,000 in total) and have ownership over significant P&L budgeting (over $500 million). I have had ownership over 15 straight years of profitable growth. I have led engaged teams while investing in the development and promotion of many of my leaders. I have been responsible for contract negotiations, enterprise strategy, talent sourcing, recruiting and operations planning for these teams. I have the values and work ethic to make a difference. I believe in hard work, discipline and perseverance.
Q: What are the most notable components of your campaign platform?
A: I want to protect open space and parks, prioritize public safety and crime reduction, preserve Orange’s great heritage, traditions and celebrations, promote business-friendly policies to ensure future growth, support efforts to end the homelessness crisis, be fiscally responsible and support a balanced budget.
Q: What initiatives do you want to push for on the Orange City Council?
A: I will prioritize finding the final solution for the Sully Miller site. I support this land as open space/recreation/park use and will work to find a way to make this happen. While there are multiple avenues to see this occur, I will be proactive in ensuring action is being taken quickly here. We need to turn this pit into a park. I would also like to work with police and existing services to continue to actively address homelessness and the crime associated.
I will look to expand areas that would allow for additional revenue generation for the city. One example of this would be to expand the number of permits granted to homeowners looking to rent their homes through the short-term rentals process. I will dive into the existing regulations governing business operations in the city and look for ways to streamline and reduce barriers to entry, while ensuring job creators are supported and want to open in Orange.
Brian Harrington
No response
