Political buzz around Yorba Linda
Short notes on the current political scene:
--First-term state Assemblyman Mike Duvall’s first legislative measure has been signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill allows county transportation officials to use a “design-build” process for security projects by lowering a previous $25 million threshold.
Duvall, who came to Yorba Linda with his parents 40 years ago, twice served as mayor and Chamber of Commerce president. He’ll be on the Nov. 4 ballot seeking re-election to the 72nd District seat representing central and west Yorba Linda and six other cities.
His rival is La Habra resident and Fullerton teacher John Macmurray, the same Democrat he trounced by 20,000 votes two years ago.
--Ah, politics. Mayor Jim Winder signed arguments supporting an initiative barring eminent domain use for private development, after casting a lone vote against putting the ban on the ballot because it would “bind the hands” of future City Councils.
The arguments, written by John Anderson and Jan Horton, will be mailed to voters before the election in which Winder may seek a third council term. Also signing the sure-to-be-popular arguments are Allen Castellano and Hank Wedaa, who also may be on the ballot.
Interestingly, the three incumbents with expiring terms all cast votes giving eminent domain powers to the city’s Redevelopment Agency during prior council terms.
--Just two council members and one of 20 council-appointed commissioners reported receiving gifts on this year’s state-required economic interest filings.
Horton listed a $99 dinner from the Bob Huff for Senate campaign and a $30 breakfast from Government Leaders Prayer Breakfast, Winder a $65 golf outing from land developer Aera Energy and Planning Commissioner Mark Abramowitz $350 worth of hockey tickets and food from American Honda Motor Company.
--Former three-term Councilman Mark Schwing should snag the county Republican Party endorsement in his sixth council race this year, since he was elected in the June primary to his sixth two-year term on the committee that makes the endorsements.
Doug Dickerson and Keri Wilson nabbed the GOP nod in 2006 but lost to Anderson and Horton.
A FINAL NOTE
Question: Why doesn’t the 1972 ethics code, reaffirmed in a recent 5-0 council vote, effectively protect residents from unsavory government practices?
Answer: The “file-and-forget” document lacks enforcement provisions and failed to prevent secretive management staff bonuses revealed in 1999 or Town Center tactics involving council members, staff and developers in closed-door meetings in 2005-06.
--First-term state Assemblyman Mike Duvall’s first legislative measure has been signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill allows county transportation officials to use a “design-build” process for security projects by lowering a previous $25 million threshold.
Duvall, who came to Yorba Linda with his parents 40 years ago, twice served as mayor and Chamber of Commerce president. He’ll be on the Nov. 4 ballot seeking re-election to the 72nd District seat representing central and west Yorba Linda and six other cities.
His rival is La Habra resident and Fullerton teacher John Macmurray, the same Democrat he trounced by 20,000 votes two years ago.
--Ah, politics. Mayor Jim Winder signed arguments supporting an initiative barring eminent domain use for private development, after casting a lone vote against putting the ban on the ballot because it would “bind the hands” of future City Councils.
The arguments, written by John Anderson and Jan Horton, will be mailed to voters before the election in which Winder may seek a third council term. Also signing the sure-to-be-popular arguments are Allen Castellano and Hank Wedaa, who also may be on the ballot.
Interestingly, the three incumbents with expiring terms all cast votes giving eminent domain powers to the city’s Redevelopment Agency during prior council terms.
--Just two council members and one of 20 council-appointed commissioners reported receiving gifts on this year’s state-required economic interest filings.
Horton listed a $99 dinner from the Bob Huff for Senate campaign and a $30 breakfast from Government Leaders Prayer Breakfast, Winder a $65 golf outing from land developer Aera Energy and Planning Commissioner Mark Abramowitz $350 worth of hockey tickets and food from American Honda Motor Company.
--Former three-term Councilman Mark Schwing should snag the county Republican Party endorsement in his sixth council race this year, since he was elected in the June primary to his sixth two-year term on the committee that makes the endorsements.
Doug Dickerson and Keri Wilson nabbed the GOP nod in 2006 but lost to Anderson and Horton.
A FINAL NOTE
Question: Why doesn’t the 1972 ethics code, reaffirmed in a recent 5-0 council vote, effectively protect residents from unsavory government practices?
Answer: The “file-and-forget” document lacks enforcement provisions and failed to prevent secretive management staff bonuses revealed in 1999 or Town Center tactics involving council members, staff and developers in closed-door meetings in 2005-06.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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