Outsiders behind Measure B opposition

As expected, outside-the-city organizations and their deep-pocket developer allies are funding the expensive campaign against Measure B, the citizen-sponsored Right-to-Vote on Land-Use Amendments initiative.

The initiative would require a public vote on major changes to the city’s current low-density zoning and General Plan documents. Petitioners gathered 8,647 signatures last summer to qualify the measure for the June 6 ballot.

The newly formed No on B committee, sponsored by Orange County Housing Providers, rented a private mailbox at Yorba Linda’s UPS store to give the group a local flavor.

But Orange County Housing Providers actually is based in Laguna Hills and has five member organizations, including the Building Industry Association, the Manufactured Housing Educational Trust, the Orange County Association of Realtors, the South Coast Apartment Association and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties.

The No on B treasurer is Dana Reed, a partner in the Los Angeles-based Reed and Davidson law firm, which specializes in political, initiative, referendum and election law. The assistant treasurer is Flora Yin, an associate in the same firm.

One of Reed’s major clients is the Building Industry Association of Southern California. Earlier this year, the BIA sent a lawyer to join several city-paid attorneys at a Superior Court hearing in a failed attempt to keep Yorba Lindans from voting on the initiative

The city’s legal tab for the abortive court case now stands at $151,662 for attorney billings through March 31, according to city finance director Susan Hartman.

So far, the No on B group has paid for endorsements on voting guides and funded some scary brochures. One misleading mailing featured a statement from the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, a group that also endorsed former Gov. Jerry Brown for attorney general.

The laughably false COPS analysis reads, “Measure B will make Yorba Linda less safe. By forcing the city and taxpayers to spend millions on special elections, funding for vital programs like law enforcement will be cut,” as if any sane council would reduce police services.

Fortunately, the grassroots Yorba Lindans for Responsible Redevelopment group is supporting Measure B, although on a shoestring budget. Their accurate and detailed “Frequently Asked Questions” mailer is also available on their http://www.ylrtv.org/ Web site.

Former five-time Mayor Hank Wedaa, first elected as a low-density advocate in 1970, thinks the measure will win, “but not handily.” The 28-year council vet says proponents are “well-organized” and “have developed a following of old-timers and recent arrivals.”

A FINAL NOTE

The misguided recall targeting four council members will find no support in this column. Years ago, I opposed an attempt to recall former three-term Councilman John Gullixson, despite my many policy differences with the controversial politician.

I believe a recall should be reserved for malfeasance in office. I have a few policy differences with current council members, but they aren’t guilty of any criminal conduct.

Residents, if they wish, can vote out Ken Ryan and Keri Wilson in November and Allen Castellano and Jim Winder in 2008. Past recall petitions have never gathered enough signatures to force a vote, and, after the initial ballyhoo, the current effort also will fail.