10 candidates speak their piece
All 10 candidates seeking the two City Council seats on the Nov. 7 ballot have provided campaign statements that will be mailed to Yorba Linda’s 40,403 registered voters along with polling place information and sample ballots.
Since a single color brochure sent to residents on “likely voter” lists can cost $5,000, the $1,100 fee for a 200-word statement mailed to all voters is an election-year bargain.
A review of the statements on file at City Hall and to be mailed by the county Registrar of Voters between Sept. 28-Oct. 17 gives a glimpse into the contenders’ campaign styles.
Lone incumbent Keri Wilson, for example, lists her experience, accomplishments and activities and thanks voters for their “support and confidence.” And retired Fullerton police lieutenant Mel Woodward points to his background and current volunteer work.
Also stressing experience is retired Brea police captain Doug Dickerson, who says he’ll use his “breadth of leadership” to “build consensus from divergence.” Dickerson was Brea’s police liaison with Yorba Linda, a role once filled by Councilman Jim Winder.
Former Parks Commissioner Steven Brunette notes his civic and youth sports activities, and says, “My campaign has been honest--with no hidden tricks and no special interests.”
Third-time candidate Mike Burns also says he’s “not bound by any group.” He states his policies will “protect rights,” “respect liberties” and allow citizens to “pursue happiness.”
Traffic Commissioner and county prosecutor John Anderson says, “Development, traffic congestion and crime are out of control,” and notes, “It’s time for a leadership change.”
His running mate Jan Horton says she’ll “restore trust and integrity,” allow “sensible, controlled growth” and change council’s “unresponsive” attitude to over-development.
Water Bruckner uses the words “nightmare,” “lunacy” and “hideous” to describe policies by a council that is “controlled by those receiving multiple taxpayer-funded pay checks.”
Diana Hudson attacks the city’s “mismanaged, reckless growth,” cites the “ridiculous Town Center project” and declares, “Government needs to exit the real estate business.”
Also employing some harsh words is Alex Mikkelsen, whose Old Town business was lost to eminent domain proceedings. He claims to be “a real citizen candidate,” who is “fed-up with nimby wimps and career bureaucrat candidates with hidden egotistical agendas.”
Of course, 200 words aren’t enough to provide voters with a well-defined platform. But they do offer insights into the candidates’ mind-sets and attitudes toward governing.
A FINAL NOTE
Of the 10 statements, only the one by longtime resident Alex Mikkelsen contains a major error. His comment, “Unbelievably, they sued our school district,” is factually incorrect.
Actually, the Placentia-Yorba Linda school district sued the city Redevelopment Agency for tax revenues the district claimed were due under terms of a 1983 agreement. A judge ruled in the school district’s favor, and the two parties eventually settled the controversy.
I’ve often mentioned the city’s legal tangles in past columns. But I can’t believe elected officials still spin the city-school settlement as a “win-win” for both sides. What’s “win-win” about millions of dollars and uncounted hours of staff time down the legal rat hole?
The issue of public agencies spending tax dollars to wrangle over which agency should get those dollars demonstrates why voters need to pay closer attention to local elections.
Since a single color brochure sent to residents on “likely voter” lists can cost $5,000, the $1,100 fee for a 200-word statement mailed to all voters is an election-year bargain.
A review of the statements on file at City Hall and to be mailed by the county Registrar of Voters between Sept. 28-Oct. 17 gives a glimpse into the contenders’ campaign styles.
Lone incumbent Keri Wilson, for example, lists her experience, accomplishments and activities and thanks voters for their “support and confidence.” And retired Fullerton police lieutenant Mel Woodward points to his background and current volunteer work.
Also stressing experience is retired Brea police captain Doug Dickerson, who says he’ll use his “breadth of leadership” to “build consensus from divergence.” Dickerson was Brea’s police liaison with Yorba Linda, a role once filled by Councilman Jim Winder.
Former Parks Commissioner Steven Brunette notes his civic and youth sports activities, and says, “My campaign has been honest--with no hidden tricks and no special interests.”
Third-time candidate Mike Burns also says he’s “not bound by any group.” He states his policies will “protect rights,” “respect liberties” and allow citizens to “pursue happiness.”
Traffic Commissioner and county prosecutor John Anderson says, “Development, traffic congestion and crime are out of control,” and notes, “It’s time for a leadership change.”
His running mate Jan Horton says she’ll “restore trust and integrity,” allow “sensible, controlled growth” and change council’s “unresponsive” attitude to over-development.
Water Bruckner uses the words “nightmare,” “lunacy” and “hideous” to describe policies by a council that is “controlled by those receiving multiple taxpayer-funded pay checks.”
Diana Hudson attacks the city’s “mismanaged, reckless growth,” cites the “ridiculous Town Center project” and declares, “Government needs to exit the real estate business.”
Also employing some harsh words is Alex Mikkelsen, whose Old Town business was lost to eminent domain proceedings. He claims to be “a real citizen candidate,” who is “fed-up with nimby wimps and career bureaucrat candidates with hidden egotistical agendas.”
Of course, 200 words aren’t enough to provide voters with a well-defined platform. But they do offer insights into the candidates’ mind-sets and attitudes toward governing.
A FINAL NOTE
Of the 10 statements, only the one by longtime resident Alex Mikkelsen contains a major error. His comment, “Unbelievably, they sued our school district,” is factually incorrect.
Actually, the Placentia-Yorba Linda school district sued the city Redevelopment Agency for tax revenues the district claimed were due under terms of a 1983 agreement. A judge ruled in the school district’s favor, and the two parties eventually settled the controversy.
I’ve often mentioned the city’s legal tangles in past columns. But I can’t believe elected officials still spin the city-school settlement as a “win-win” for both sides. What’s “win-win” about millions of dollars and uncounted hours of staff time down the legal rat hole?
The issue of public agencies spending tax dollars to wrangle over which agency should get those dollars demonstrates why voters need to pay closer attention to local elections.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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