Candidate Profile: Stephanie Oddo For Laguna Niguel City Council
LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — The 2020 election is heating up in Orange County, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Eyes are primarily focused on the presidential election, but voters will also decide the outcome of state representative and senate seats.
Closer to home, Patch has asked candidates for city council races to discuss their campaigns, publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.
In Laguna Niguel, Stephanie Oddo is running for one of three seats on the Laguna Niguel City Council.
Age (as of Election Day)
48
Town/City of Residence
Laguna Niguel
Office Sought
Municipal office
Where appropriate, add specifics about office sought: i.e., State Senate District 1, State Assembly District 2, Temecula City Council District 1, etc.
Voters vote at-large and can vote for 3 candidates, the top 3 vote getters will win
Family
Husband, 50; Son, 18; Daughter, 16
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
no
Education
B.A. International Politics, Penn State University; M.A. Latin American Studies, San Diego State University
Occupation
PPE Provider since March 20, 2020, lifelong community leader, former public servant and former PR/web consultant
Campaign website
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
2007 council member, Belleair, Florida, Reelected 2009. Appointed Pinellas Planning Council 2009, (among other appointments while in that office)
The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
COVID-19 has affected our health, economy and shaken the mental health of our essential workers and students. We need to open up our economy in a safe manner that includes wearing masks and social distancing.
Communication and education is key to having residents and businesses practice COVID safe practices. We need to protect the vulnerable by assuming everyone is vulnerable and we need to come together as a community to help each other.
I have said from the start that testing is one of the key components out of this pandemic - we need to let our residents know how and when to get tested. Businesses should be rewarded when practicing safe COVID methods by having a recognition in their storefront, this would help drive business to the establishment as well.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am one of the most experienced and qualified candidates for this position, with a public track record of fiscal conservatism and supporting public safety. I served as the youngest ever elected (2 terms elected) council member in Belleair, Florida.
I got involved in that town because I was concerned about public safety. I was instrumental in saving and supporting that police department and I’m proud of our results there. That town’s staff was about the same size as Laguna Niguel’s city staff. Its accounting was more complex because we were a full service city and had Enterprise Funds.
During my time in office I was appointed to the County Historic Preservation board and the Pinellas County Planning Council and also served on the Florida League of Cities Tax and Finance Council. I helped navigate the town through the 2008 Recession with the devastating loss in property tax revenue, keeping my promise to incur no debt. I would be honored to offer my public safety and extensive fiscal background to Laguna Niguel as we navigate the current economic downturn.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform
*COVID-19 safety needs to be upheld so that we can continue to open up our economy
*Responsible development – we need to listen to our residents when it comes to City Center and Ziggurat projects
*Public safety – I am committed to keeping Laguna Niguel one of the safest cities in California
*Fiscal responsibility – making the right decisions for our budget so that we can thrive in the long term
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
My former elected public service as referenced above proves I can handle the job combined with the fact that I have served Laguna Niguel in many ways and have raised our two children, Eddie and Alex here in Laguna Niguel.
I served as President of the Laguna Niguel Rotary Club – spearheading two projects that are still in practice today. I am the 2011 president of the Laguna Niguel Police Services Citizen’s Academy and I am founder of Healthcare Mask Collaborative, my social enterprise that provides donated cloth PPE during COVID.
I served as Director of Government for League of Women Voters Orange Coast where I launched the Observer Corps last year. The Observer Corps is a group of volunteers that observe and report on four county boards and seven city boards here in Orange County.
If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?
Success would mean more public participation in our city government. I love to bring people into the process and empower them to lead on issues. I believe in representative government accompanied by studying hard and utilizing political will. We must have all three legs of that stool.
Why should voters trust you?
I have no business that will benefit from my office, I only want to be a positive force in my community that gets great things done and includes all people in the decision-making process. I have two teens in this community and am a homeowner who cares about our neighborhoods. I served honorably in office before and made lifelong friends as a result of my good work and integrity there.
Any elected office needs and deserves people who have in mind the greater good of the community. The reason to run for office must come from a person’s purity of heart and unalloyed value system – not to benefit their own business, line their own pockets, or serve their own needs. Public service is like motherhood, it is an act of love and selflessness. Far too often we see elected officials’ guiding principles go astray and therefore our cities, states and country come up empty.
What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?
I ran on a no-debt policy in Florida and I am running on a no-debt policy here. I upheld that promise for both terms in Florida and I will do the same for Laguna Niguel. My husband and I are conservative with our personal finances – we both have 850 credit scores – and I am even more careful when it comes to taxpayer money. I believe the city budget process should be more transparent than it is today.
Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?
no
The best advice ever shared with me was ...
“While one woman hesitates because she feels inferior, the other woman is busy making mistakes and becoming superior!” That’s what I tell myself, especially if I am launching a new initiative. Basically: go for it!
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am proud to be endorsed by the Orange County Professional Firefighters’ Association and many leaders in Orange County and Laguna Niguel. Check out my website see who else is endorsing me: www.stephanieoddo.com.
My family is my motivation. My daughter is my guiding light and multiple leaders and friends, my inspiration.
Do you have any additional questions for this candidate? Ask in comments, or email your Patch Editor.
This article originally appeared on the Laguna Niguel-Dana Point Patch
