The Californian invited candidates for the Lake Elsinore City Council to answer three questions about the city and have those answers published. Candidates' responses were limited to 200 words and their answers are otherwise unedited. Five candidates are seeking two seats in the Nov. 7 election.

Question 2. What is your position on the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage project?

Thomas Buckley

As the LEAPS project has yet to receive federal consideration, the City Council has not taken an official stand for or against the proposal. To do so before it has even cleared that first hurdle would be premature.

That does not mean, however, that the City has been silent on the project.

Dozens of pages of questions, comments, and suggestions have been submitted both to the federal government and the water district. Those questions have reflected the serious concerns many City residents have about the project, from its potential impact on recreational lake use to property values to shoreline management.

If, in the end, the project receives federal approval the City must take an active role in determining its parameters. If, among other things, the proposal properly compensates the City for the use of the lake, if it does not impede recreational uses of the lake, and if it lowers electricity prices then I could consider supporting LEAPS. If, among other things, it damages the lake, if it does not take into consideration the needs of City residents and tourists, or if it morphs into purely a power line project then I could not support LEAPS.

Carole Feeney

The LEAPS project is a very complicated and controversial subject to everyone.

I am studying the pros and cons of this issue. I am not an expert in hydroelectric power plants and am unable to take a position on this project.

However, I plan to support the opinions of the residents' views on this issue into city council.

Daryl Hickman

The City Council has not taken a position on the LEAPS Project at present. We are waiting for answers to numerous questions about the Environmental Impact Report. If, it should come to fruition, I want the city to receive its due benefits and remuneration from this project. I would expect LEAPS to be responsible for the following:

A. Pay for and keep the lake level at 1247 feet or higher.

B. Pay for the lake police patrol and their boats plus the city's boats.

C. Pay for the electric bill for the 5 fan platforms in the lake and the new aeration system yet to be installed.

D. Pay for the netting of the carp fish.

E. Pay for the new fishery that is to be placed in the back basin wetlands.

Connie Soto

After researching this matter, I have compiled enough information to oppose the LEAPS project. This is economically hazardous to taxpayers costing Californians $100 million per year. A boondoggle indeed. I refuse to play politics and remain neutral. I am a candidate for the people and of the people with moral and ethical clarity to stand for something and I stand against this project. Allowing a dam to be built on active seismological fault lines above an entire town whose residents and children might face danger and possible death is pathetic. Having the city of San Diego and its residents benefit financially while the citizens of Lake Elsinore are left with holes in there pocket is undeniably incomprehensible. You bet I stand against it!!! Unfortunately, standing against this project doesn't guarantee a victorious outcome. Too much political muscle, too many rich investors and self serving individuals are behind it. Rest assured, I will fight tooth and nail against this. I need your support. Please use your power by voting and standing with me at the polls. Together we can accomplish great things.

Phil Stephens

EVMWD's mission is to provide reliable, cost-effective, high quality water to the people it serves (http://www.evmwd.com/about/mission_statement.asp).

After considerable research, I conclude that the LEAPS project is less about providing cost-effective, high quality water to Lake Elsinoreans, and a lot more about providing electricity to San Diegans.

The only benefit I've discovered is the possibility of increased oxygen to our lake, which is supposed to increase the quality of the water. So the question is: At what cost to Lake Elsinoreans?

I submit the cost would be devastating! Our quality of life would be ruined, and our property values would decrease -- due to the unsightliness of the dam; dozens of 170-foot metal power towers across the mountain tops; increased traffic problems; noise from construction equipment, sputtering power-lines, and water pumps. It seems like a high price to pay for a little oxygen.

Other than our neighbors down in San Diego County, it seems the only other winners would be the investors who have been looking to the government for a guaranteed rate of return -- all on the backs of Lake Elsinore and her residents.

If it isn't good for Lake Elsinore, it isn't good for me. I can't support.