Interesting scene seen around the city

Yorba Linda’s civic life is always interesting. Let’s take a look at the current scene:

DÉJÀ VU AGAIN--A couple recent City Council meetings are reminiscent of sessions during the turbulent 1990s. Of course, council members aren’t calling each other names these days, but some have singled out specific audience members for negative criticism.

Mayor Keri Wilson tries to keep meetings on a business-like level, but it’s difficult to reign in the public after some of her council colleagues excoriate individual speakers.

The council has a sensible policy--“the Mayor may ask that speakers refrain from engaging in personal attacks, name-calling or (campaigning) on any election issue”--which Wilson should consistently enforce for both the public and council members.

TAKING LAND--Some Orange County cities, including Anaheim and Placentia, have adopted policies or laws that prevent their Redevelopment Agencies from using eminent domain to take private property to sell to other private parties for development purposes.

Similar action by Yorba Linda’s governing body would renew faith in the current council and build a wider base of community support for the Town Center redevelopment project.

SPEAKING OUT--Two 1990s council allies and longtime low-density advocates have taken different positions on the controversial Right-to-Vote initiative on the June ballot.

Former three-term Councilman Mark Schwing, who has attended most council meetings since leaving office in 2000, signed the initiative petition. At the Oct. 4 meeting, he spoke eloquently about citizens using the initiative process to guide council members back to the city’s low-density, semi-rural heritage.

Former seven-term Councilman Hank Wedaa, who didn’t sign the petition, says he understands citizen concerns but opposes “government by initiative.” He maintains council members should be allowed to do their jobs for four years and, if voters are unhappy with their decisions, removed during the regular election cycle.

MASSAGE LAW--Approximately 10 to 15 violations have been discovered at the city’s various massage establishments since the council approved strict regulations two years ago.

“The majority of these were for ordinance violations such as no visible permit, no proper business license and inappropriate touching of patrons, that did not reach the level of penal code violations for prostitution,” according to Brea police Sgt. Darrin Devereux.

“We respond to specific complaints and spot check the … establishments with surprise inspections. The inspections are random with no set schedule,” Devereux commented.

No prostitution or solicitation arrests have been made since last year’s incident at a now-defunct Main Street massage parlor, Devereux noted.

A FINAL NOTE--Councilman Jim Winder has twice misrepresented my viewpoint regarding developer donations to council campaigns--at an Oct. 18 council meeting and in an Oct. 20 letter to the editor.

To set the record straight, I’ll quote from one of my past columns: “Most residents recognize [council members] as principled leaders who cast votes they perceive to be in the community’s best interests. They should acknowledge that many residents hold principled concerns about the propriety of taking campaign cash from those whose profits depend on council actions.”

Winder’s assertion that I’ve suggested he’d sell his soul for 30 pieces of silver is absurd.