The Santa Clarita City Council race got even more crowded Saturday when longtime Canyon Country Advisory Committee Chair Alan Ferdman announced his intent to run.

“I think it’s time for a change,” Ferdman told The Signal Saturday morning. “I think we need some new ideas and some fresh eyes on things.”

Ferdman formed an exploratory committee a few weeks ago to see what kind of support there would be for him as a candidate in the April 2014 election. Saturday, he decided he had heard enough and decided to enter the race.

Ferdman said he wants the election to be one based on issues, not of name recognition.

“In no way do I want this to become a campaign of personalities,” Ferdman said.

One of the issues Ferdman said he would focus on is traffic congestion in the Santa Clarita Valley, including pushing for construction of long-planned roads such as the Via Princessa extension.

Ferdman also said the economy remains a concern, particularly as the state and county examine moving forward with proposals like the California high-speed rail project and the now-tabled “Clean Water, Clean Beaches,” storm water cleanup fee.

"We’re in a time when families are struggling, yet it seems like from everywhere we’re besieged with all these new fees and charges," Ferdman said.

Ferdman moved to Canyon Country in 1965 and has been a member of the Canyon Country Advisory Committee for the last 13 years. He has been the chair of the organization since 2002.

Even with more than a year to go until the election, Ferdman has now become the sixth candidate to join the 2014 City Council race. City Council members Marsha McLean and Laurene Weste have said they will seek reelection. Dante Acosta, a former Republican Congressional candidate, Gloria Mercado-Fortine, a member of the William S. Hart Union High School District board, and Maria Gutzeit, president of the Newhall County Water District, have also all told The Signal they plan to run.

Lmoney@signalscv.com

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