OC Council Candidate Dies Of Heart Attack

MISSION VIEJO (CBS) — One of a dozen candidates running for three spots on the Mission Viejo City Council died of an apparent heart attack, authorities
said Tuesday.

William Barker, 72, died at home last night or early today, City Clerk Karen Hamman said. Orange County coroner's officials were summoned to his home about 4 a.m., Hamman said.

"I talked to him yesterday," Hamman said. "This is the second time he ran for City Council, so I got to know him over the years."

Barker, an engineer, served in the city's community services commission from January 2005 through 2007, Hamman said.

"He was a very nice man," the clerk said. "He was very excited about his candidacy for City Council. A lot of residents reported seeing him on street corners with his signs and he was looking forward to being elected to the City Council."

If Barker wins the election, the City Council has two options, Hamman said. Council members could either appoint someone to fill the vacancy or call a special election within 114 days.

Since the special election would have to be consolidated with another election, March 2011 would be the earliest the special election could be held, Hamman said.

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