It's time to start running

If you think you could do a better job running Yorba Linda than the current City Council members, now is the time to begin preparing your candidacy for the Nov. 7 election ballot.

Two positions on the city’s five-member governing body are available this year, but both Ken Ryan and Keri Wilson are expected to seek re-election to the seats they now occupy.

Although you can’t file nomination papers until July 17, to be a serious contender, you must start securing financial support and begin lining up endorsements within the next few weeks to credibly challenge Ryan and Wilson, who were running-mates in 2002.

Before the end of last year, Ryan banked $11,846 for his third-term bid, and Wilson won’t be far behind, as she builds a campaign account for her run for a second term.

You should realize that some of the city’s past ballot battles, in 2000, 2002 and 2004, cost the winners from $25,000 to $40,000 each, for incumbents and challengers alike.

And you might discover that it’s nearly impossible to run a winning campaign on small $50, $100 and $200 donations from friends and neighbors, so you might consider turning to developers or others with deep pockets for financing, depending on your viewpoints.

But remember, don’t donate any money to your own campaign--list your contributions as loans, so that you can eventually use donations from other people to pay yourself back.

Of course, understand that your loans might turn into contributions, especially if you lose the election and can’t attract additional money to pay off those loans. The city is littered with past candidates whose campaign accounts still show debts they owe to themselves.

Also understand that incumbents benefit from a large number of opponents, who would split up what is expected to be a larger-than-usual anti-incumbent vote this year. Two or three well-financed challengers have a better chance to win one or both of the two seats.

And don’t be dismayed if you come in third. Mayor Mike Duvall might win his state Assembly race, and council members could appoint you to his seat after the election.

Even better, Duvall could resign his council seat if he wins the Republican nomination in the June 6 primary, thus allowing voters to select three council members in November.

This year’s election will be an especially spirited contest, due to controversy over Town Center redevelopment and the recently rescinded zoning ordinances. So above all, be ready with clear stands on issues relating to commercial and residential housing density.

A FINAL NOTE--Aside from the thanks of a respectful community, council members each earn a small salary with health and assorted benefits worth about $26,000 annually.

The council salary is $500 per month, plus $30 for each Redevelopment Agency meeting. Benefits include medical, vision, dental and life insurance payments, as well as workers compensation and Medicare premiums, auto and phone allowances and a retirement plan.

They also earn per meeting payments if they serve on the county’s Fire Authority ($100), Sanitation District ($170), Vector Control Agency ($100) and the Toll Road board ($120).