Outside money comes in

Sadly, again this past year, individuals and businesses located outside of the city donated about twice as much money to municipal candidates and causes as Yorba Linda residents.

Outside sources contributed nearly $60,000 to the campaign treasuries of Councilman Ken Ryan and Citizens and Taxpayers to Restore Old Town Yorba Linda, a group that opposed the grassroots drive to overturn the City Council’s Town Center zoning laws.

The only contribution to the cleverly named Citizens and Taxpayers group was $50,000 from Creative Housing Associates, Michael Dieden’s Los Angeles-based firm that prepared development proposals for Old Town.

The group’s expenditures included $21,538 for mailings and advertising and $17,069 for professional services, including $11,058 to consultant Dennis DeSnoo’s Santa Ana-based firm, which previously worked in election campaigns for all five sitting council members.

The developer’s mailings included controversial letters signed by four current council members and Chamber of Commerce president Gary Carter. The developer also paid for telephone calls from individuals claiming to represent the chamber.

Ryan’s $10,598 included $9,749 from 37 individuals and businesses mostly associated with development, planning and similar enterprises, all listing addresses outside the city. His Yorba Linda donations totaled $700 from two individuals and three businesses.

Ryan, the chief cheerleader for Dieden’s downtown redevelopment project, might face a tough battle in his bid for a third term this November. His beginning-of-the-year balance of $11,846 is about a third of the amount he’d need to fight off a credible challenger.

By contrast, Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Redevelopment, the group that gathered more than 9,000 signatures opposed to the council’s new zoning rules, had only one non-Yorba Linda address among its 48 contributors.

YLRRR’s contributions totaled $28,247 in cash and $5,618 in materials and services for last year. The group spent $10,758 to print 170 petition books, $5,000 for consulting services and $4,534 for mailings and advertising.

Matt Guptill, an engineer and owner of the Olinda Street home and office built in 1926 by Dr. Richard Cochran, was YLRRR’s largest contributor, writing checks for $6,600. He also donated the buttons, banners and signs used for the petition campaign.

Other large YLRRR contributors included longtime Old Town homeowner Jane Adams ($3,100), ERA Real Estate owner Walt Tamulinas ($2,000), Pete Sioson ($1,500), Nancy Rikel’s Starlight Express ($1,000) and Louie Scull’s Yorba Linda Plumbing ($1,000).

Since the petition campaign ran through January, further contributions and expenses might be in reports covering the first part of this year, which are due by July 31.

A FINAL NOTE--Developers and others who favor extending the 241 Toll Road south to the San Clemente area have a stake in Ryan’s upcoming re-election bid, since he needs to hang on to his council position to remain on the toll road’s board of directors.

Ryan supports a controversial extension plan, and his leadership position on the board might draw contributions to his council campaign from entities also backing the project.

For too many years now, various interest groups seem to be more interested in influencing who we elect to our council than the citizens who moved here to enjoy the city’s lifestyle.