Battle over Measure B might not be over

Maybe the Measure B debate isn’t over yet.

Builders and real estate-related interests raised $174,150 to defeat the citizen-sponsored Right-to-Vote on Land-Use Amendments initiative on the June 6 primary election ballot.

While the measure won by a 299-vote margin, 6,921 to 6,622, only 34 percent of Yorba Linda’s registered voters cast ballots on the initiative, one of the city’s smaller turnouts. The initiative requires a public vote on most major changes to city planning documents.

Seven weeks after the election, a Garden Grove market research firm paid several Yorba Linda residents to gather in focus groups and participate in two-hour discussions on the factors that influenced their votes and to give their opinions of City Council members.

One participant was Paul Weddell, a retired 26-year city resident who is active in the community. Weddell said he signed a confidentiality agreement, which prevents him from revealing any of the topics discussed during the actual focus group meetings.

Two employees from Ask Southern California confirmed that post-election Measure B sessions were held at their Lewis Street location, south of the Crystal Cathedral, but they refused to give more information and wouldn’t identify the client paying for the research.

Weddell said he and some of his group members noted after their meeting that at least three panels assembled on July 24, with one formed from residents who cast votes for Measure B and another composed of residents who voted against the initiative.

Although Waddell was part of the pro-initiative focus group, he said he initially opposed the measure. He said he changed his mind due to the “arrogance” of council members and developers, a sentiment he said was shared by others in an after-session discussion.

Weddell said he and other group members also voted for the measure because of many misleading statements in the numerous anti-initiative brochures mailed to residents.

Perhaps some well-heeled group is preparing another initiative to overturn Measure B in a future election or maybe the same special interests that campaigned against Measure B in Yorba Linda want to prevent similar initiatives from succeeding in surrounding cities.

Adding the $174,150 raised to fight Measure B to the $115,000 that two developers contributed to stop the petitions opposed to the since-rescinded Town Center zoning ordinances totals $289,150 in outside-the-city money put up to influence local voters.

Unfortunately, none of the money was spent with Yorba Linda businesses, so the city didn’t even pick up a dime’s worth of sales tax revenue from the record expenditures.
Let’s hope Yorba Lindans aren’t facing a big-spending rematch on the same issue.

A FINAL NOTE

The Stop YL Recall group has a few debts remaining from the successful, low-budget effort to thwart a recall of council members Allen Castellano, Ken Ryan, Keri Wilson and Jim Winder, according to the latest financial filing by the local citizens’ committee.

The group collected $1,150 in donations, paid treasurer Betty Presley $500 and listed a $650 cash balance. They owe $1,492 for street signs and an additional $550 to Presley.

Another $966 for newspaper advertising is owed to Eve Tibbs, an anti-recall leader who also helped lead the campaign that convinced council members to abandon plans for a Metrolink train station in southeast Yorba Linda, near Albertson’s supermarket, in 2004.

Gentlemen, place your bets

Here are the first odds for the 10 candidates seeking two City Council positions Nov. 7. But don’t bet your next Hummer payment; it’s far too early in the campaign season.

Keri Wilson: Name recognition, a $30,000 campaign treasury and her vote against the controversial, since-rescinded Old Town zoning ordinances give Wilson initial even odds. The decision by her 2002 running-mate and Town Center point man Ken Ryan to not seek a third term benefits Wilson by eliminating some anti-incumbent sentiment.

Jan Horton: One of the citizens most responsible for derailing a high-density downtown redevelopment plan and the council’s eminent domain authority, Horton has a built-in fan base of old-timers and newer residents who moved here for the small-town atmosphere, for 3-5 odds. She must raise campaign funds and show her competence on other issues.

Doug Dickerson: Supported by Mayor Mike Duvall, the retired Brea police captain, like Councilman Jim Winder, was the department’s liaison with the city. He drew some flack for his developer-funded recorded phone calls during the Town Center zoning clash, and voters might not want a fourth past or present police officer on the council, for 3-7 odds.

John Anderson: The independent-thinking city Traffic Commissioner is a Town Center Blue Ribbon Committee member. His current 3-9 odds could improve considerably if he develops the financial resources to carry his message and unique qualifications to voters.

Steven Brunette: A lawyer and former city Parks and Recreation Commissioner (1994-98), Brunette might win support from the sizable youth sports community. He’s been a coach and board member in soccer, softball and baseball leagues, for early 1-4 odds.

Mike Burns: The likable challenger placed eighth out of eight candidates for two seats in 2002 and fifth out of five candidates for three seats in 2004, winning 1,647 and 7,788 votes, respectively. A lack of funds in past campaigns puts his starting gate odds at 1-7.

Diana Hudson: A forceful speaker at occasional council meetings, Hudson ran fifth out of eight candidates for two seats in 2002, winning 3,790 votes. As is the case with many council challengers, fundraising could prove difficult, resulting in current odds of 1-9.

Alex Mikkelsen: An Eagle Scout from local Troop 778 and owner of American Roadster in Placentia, his Alex’s Auto and Fleet Service in Old Town was a victim of eminent domain proceedings by the city’s Redevelopment Agency, for early 1-9 odds.

Mel Woodward: The retired Fullerton police lieutenant and newcomer to the crowded political scene earns initial odds of 1-24. He volunteers at the Nixon Library and Friends of the Library Book Corner and serves on a homeowner association board of directors.

Walter Bruckner: The second-time candidate’s frequent arm-waving council meeting appearances are usually more amusing than instructive. He won 1,703 votes to finish sixth out of eight candidates for two seats in 2002, giving him pre-campaign 1-99 odds.

A FINAL NOTE

Mayor Mike Duvall says he’ll resign his City Council post effective Dec. 4, if he wins the state Assembly seat representing western and central Yorba Linda on Nov. 7.

Duvall wants to continue working on the county’s transportation and sanitation agencies as long as possible because he’s trying to cut insurance costs and cap employee pensions.

The next day, the council, with at least one new member, might discuss how to replace Duvall: an appointment, a special election or name the third-place finisher from Nov. 7.

The refreshingly candid Duvall says his downtown insurance firm gained many new clients because of his six council years. Elected leaders sometimes whine about lost business or job opportunities due to the time requirements of their official positions.

Actually, such service can win new business and enhance career possibilities, as the popular Duvall has demonstrated.

'Rebuilding trust' to be Wilson's theme

Keri Wilson’s campaign for a second City Council term will be markedly different from her first effort four years ago, when she won a seat by a heart-stopping three-vote margin.

This time, Wilson says she won’t team with another candidate as she did in 2002 with Ken Ryan. Ryan recruited Wilson to run and acted as her mentor in that first campaign.

And Wilson says she won’t solicit or accept contributions from developers or political action committees, except those funded by public safety employees. She will take money from individuals and businesses with city contracts, such as trash-hauler Taormina Industries.

Wilson also dropped veteran consultant Dennis DeSnoo, who guided her 2002 campaign. DeSnoo worked for Ryan in 2000 and 2002, Jim Winder in 2000, Allen Castellano and Mike Duvall in 2004 and former downtown developer Michael Dieden in 2005 and 2006.

Janice and Paul Glaab from a San Clemente-based consulting firm will manage Wilson’s second campaign. Wilson says she was “disappointed” with DeSnoo’s actions during the recent petition drive to overturn the council’s controversial Old Town zoning ordinances.

Many residents complained about DeSnoo’s aggressive parking lot performances, saying he personally tried to suppress signature-gathering efforts outside several supermarkets.

At last report, Wilson was the campaign’s leading fundraiser as a result of a recent Black Gold Golf Course event, with a minimum $160 admission price. Her June 30 count was $29,869, including $14,200 in personal loans she’s made to her treasury.

Wilson’s contributions include $2,500 from two individuals, and that’s the most she’ll accept from a single source. Wilson also will consider buying endorsements on only three of those mailbox-choking voter guides because, she says, they’re “so expensive.”

And Wilson notes she’s already bought three pairs of tennis shoes for precinct walking.

Interestingly, Wilson admits to “the biggest mistake I’ve made as a council member”: affixing her name to the developer-funded letter asking residents to not sign petitions seeking to overturn those rushed-to-completion Old Town zoning ordinances.

Wilson says she played no role in writing the notorious letter, which insultingly called petitioners a “civic threat” and “a small group of naysayers” who “recruited operatives.” Wilson now says, “You don’t call folks names because they have a different opinion.”

However, Wilson still strongly defends her husband, who visited the homes of several individuals who signed an intent-to-recall petition naming Wilson. She maintains her husband’s actions “weren’t inappropriate,” but she “wished [the visits] didn’t happen.”

The most important issue in Wilson’s campaign will be “rebuilding public trust.” She says that can be accomplished by acting as a “good steward of the office,” carrying “a positive attitude” and “[looking] for common ground” among differing opinions.

A FINAL NOTE

There’s a lot of talk about a potential council appointment after Mayor Mike Duvall wins his state Assembly position in November. Keri Wilson favors an election to fill the two years left in Duvall’s term, rather than seating a council-selected replacement.

A good solution might be to appoint the candidate who places third in the race for the two seats on the Nov. 7 ballot, thus avoiding the expense of a special election. We’d also eliminate a second round of campaign mailers, recorded phone calls and roadway signs.

Traffic and development top list of local concerns

Far more Yorba Linda residents say their own neighborhoods are “generally headed in the right direction” than say the city is on the right track, according to a survey paid for by Old Town Yorba Linda Partners, the formerly active downtown development team.

Residents feeling good about their neighborhoods total 81 percent, while 57 percent think the city is headed in the “right direction.” The city is “pretty seriously off on the wrong track” claim 28 percent, with 14 percent noting the same about their neighborhoods.

Only selected city leaders and developers had access to the poll results until they were released to this columnist two weeks ago. Polltakers interviewed 500 voters last August, including individuals from all geographic areas and all age, income and education levels.

The survey results were reported in a 682-page book, which to date represents the most detailed account of local opinion on important civic and political issues ever compiled.

A key survey section asked voters for opinions on “issues some people say might be problems in Yorba Linda.” The following lists the percentage of voters who identified the issue as a problem first and the percentage that said it was not a problem second.

The highest-ranking problems were traffic congestion on local freeways 91-7, excessive growth and development 80-20, continuing high population growth 78-18, preservation of open space 78-19, loss of small-town feeling 75-23, traffic congestion on local streets 75-25 and reasonably priced/good quality housing 73-22.

Other problems included the need to preserve and restore historic buildings and homes 66-27, amount of state and local taxes 65-29, waste and inefficiency in city government 59-24, air pollution 57-40 and the influx of illegal immigrants into the local area 50-45.

Lesser problems included downtown parking 45-50, high-quality restaurants 45-54, condition of the downtown area 43-55, high-quality retail stores 41-57, crime 39-59, education in city schools 21-69, neighborhood parks 26-72 and graffiti 26-73.

Obviously, voters see traffic, excessive growth, open space and losing Yorba Linda’s small-town atmosphere as more significant problems than an aging downtown and the lack of high-quality restaurants and stores.

Future leaders need to strike a better balance among these competing factors than have the current council and planning commission members. Some council members say they’ve learned a lesson from the recent successful petition drives, but their opponents claim the council’s newly found wisdom is only a political cover until the next election.

A FINAL NOTE

The Town Center Blue Ribbon Committee, charged with recommending concepts and guiding principles for the Old Town area, already has demonstrated unique leadership.

Instead of interviewing the 20 individuals applying for the two at-large seats on the 24-member body, they selected the pair and two alternates by drawing names from a box.

Maybe we should use the same method to pick council members. We’d eliminate the deceptive mailers, phony voter guides, recorded phone calls and trashy roadway signs along with the special interest money that flows into too many campaign treasuries.

Seriously, the “blue ribbon” committee membership appears truly diverse and largely independent. If the group can reach a consensus regarding a direction for Town Center development, it’ll probably be a plan most Yorba Lindans can support.

Support for Measure B fell drastically over last year

Yorba Linda residents once overwhelmingly supported the citizen-sponsored Right-to-Vote initiative that requires a public vote on major changes to city planning documents, according to a poll commissioned by the since-dismissed Old Town development team.

Until now, only top city officials and the former downtown developers had access to the findings of the survey, conducted by telephone over a four-day period last August. This columnist obtained a copy of the closely held 682-page report on the poll just last week.

The survey also gauged residents’ reactions to several individuals and groups active on the local civic scene. The results represent the most detailed study of voter opinion on important political issues ever compiled during Yorba Linda’s nearly 39 years as a city.

A professional polling organization conducted the survey by interviewing 500 individuals who said they voted in local elections “always” or “most of the time.” The survey sample included all of the city’s geographic areas as well as all age, income and education levels.

Two initial requests for opinions on the Right-to-Vote initiative drew favorable responses from 77 and 75 percent of those polled and unfavorable answers from 15 and 20 percent.

Interestingly, the favorable response increased to 80 percent after statements supporting the measure were read but only dropped to 74 percent when opposing arguments were presented.

The poll also asked voters for opinions on 19 organizations and individuals. The following lists the favorable percent first and the unfavorable percent second. (The percentages don’t add up to 100 because mixed and don’t know answers are excluded.)

Organizations: Placentia-Yorba Linda school district 62-16, Chamber of Commerce 61-9, city government overall 58-25, City Council 51-26, Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Redevelopment 45-16, Old Town Yorba Linda Partners 39-20, Shapell Builders 23-20 and Creative Housing Associates 12-17.

Council members: Keri Wilson 50-17, Mike Duvall 47-17, Jim Winder 46-12, Ken Ryan 45-17 and Allen Castellano 34-16. Former council member results were 41-19 for Mark Schwing and 35-22 for Hank Wedaa.

Others: Community activists Jan Horton (25-11) and Ed Rakochy (24-8), developer Michael Dieden 22-17 and Yorba Linda Star columnist Jim Drummond 35-2.

Regarding eminent domain, voters opposed taking commercial property for economic development 65 to 27 and residential property 77 to 16. Friends Christian High School at Casa Loma Avenue and Bastanchury Road was favored 57-27.

The Yorba Linda Star was the most read newspaper at 80 percent, followed by the Orange County Register at 79 percent and the Los Angeles Times at 34 percent.

A FINAL WORD

All five council members opposed Measure B, and last August’s poll results show they had reason to delay the election as long as possible, giving the building and real estate groups time to organize and raise, through June 1, $168,000 for the anti-B campaign.

The money paid for mailers, recorded phone calls and cable TV ads suggesting that the initiative threatened the public high school and police and fire services. The deceptive campaign cut the initial high 70s approval rating to a final 51.1 to 48.9 percent margin.

Obviously, large cash outlays by deep-pocket development-related special interests continue to play a key role in shaping voter opinion in this city’s elections.

I’ll present more survey results in next week’s column.