Taking a look at City Council's 3-2 votes
The increasingly acrimonious rhetoric at recent meetings of a City Council divided 3-2 on major issues mirrors controversial councils of the 1990s and warns of a hard-hitting campaign for two open seats on the governing body this Fall.
Add a verbal slugfest between partisans for the John Anderson-Nancy Rikel-Mark Schwing and Jan Horton-Jim Winder factions taking place on local blogs and Web sites, and the result is one of this city’s most hostile political climates ever.
But, as is often the case, one side or the other does not possess all of the virtue or all of the vice with respect to municipal decision-making, despite what avowed and potential candidates and their enthusiasts want the city’s 42,930 registered voters to believe.
In a “let’s clear the air” spirit, here’s a rundown of some admirable council actions detailed in past columns, with the names of council members who supported them:
--The Anderson-Rikel-Schwing vote for a police services study was long-needed and represented well-spent dollars. An independent consultant put solid numbers on costs involved in forming a Yorba Linda-only department compared to contracting with the county Sheriff, Brea or another city.
The value of the 40-year-old pact with Brea was affirmed, and many financially valid suggestions for improvements were presented. In sum, the report’s recommendations could put law enforcement in this city on a firmer footing for the foreseeable future.
--The Anderson-Rikel-Schwing vote for an ethics ordinance also met a longtime need for this city’s elected and appointed leaders. Consequences for specific behaviors, including taking campaign money from sources that depend on council’s votes, are plainly stated.
Overall ethics will be further strengthened when “whistleblower” protection and “best-practices” policies are adopted, hopefully with a unanimous vote, in upcoming months.
--Horton-Winder support for raising east-end sewer rates so the fees paid by homes and businesses generally east of San Antonio Drive are no longer subsidized by city general fund money was the proper position, even though the proposal wasn’t adopted..
Of course, the best decision would be for council to raise the eastside rates to the annual $66 paid by westside residents to the Yorba Linda Water District, and then turn over the sewers to the district, which has the expertise and equipment for reliable oversight.
--The 3-2 vote to finance this year’s July 4 fireworks show pitted Rikel, Schwing and Winder against Anderson and Horton, who opposed a modest expenditure for the best-attended and most-watched city event.
If that means a bit less spent on the $1 million Kikuyu grass program for the Black Gold Golf Course or fewer dollars set aside for council members’ retirement accounts, that’s a more than acceptable tradeoff to preserve the city’s Independence Day celebration.
Add a verbal slugfest between partisans for the John Anderson-Nancy Rikel-Mark Schwing and Jan Horton-Jim Winder factions taking place on local blogs and Web sites, and the result is one of this city’s most hostile political climates ever.
But, as is often the case, one side or the other does not possess all of the virtue or all of the vice with respect to municipal decision-making, despite what avowed and potential candidates and their enthusiasts want the city’s 42,930 registered voters to believe.
In a “let’s clear the air” spirit, here’s a rundown of some admirable council actions detailed in past columns, with the names of council members who supported them:
--The Anderson-Rikel-Schwing vote for a police services study was long-needed and represented well-spent dollars. An independent consultant put solid numbers on costs involved in forming a Yorba Linda-only department compared to contracting with the county Sheriff, Brea or another city.
The value of the 40-year-old pact with Brea was affirmed, and many financially valid suggestions for improvements were presented. In sum, the report’s recommendations could put law enforcement in this city on a firmer footing for the foreseeable future.
--The Anderson-Rikel-Schwing vote for an ethics ordinance also met a longtime need for this city’s elected and appointed leaders. Consequences for specific behaviors, including taking campaign money from sources that depend on council’s votes, are plainly stated.
Overall ethics will be further strengthened when “whistleblower” protection and “best-practices” policies are adopted, hopefully with a unanimous vote, in upcoming months.
--Horton-Winder support for raising east-end sewer rates so the fees paid by homes and businesses generally east of San Antonio Drive are no longer subsidized by city general fund money was the proper position, even though the proposal wasn’t adopted..
Of course, the best decision would be for council to raise the eastside rates to the annual $66 paid by westside residents to the Yorba Linda Water District, and then turn over the sewers to the district, which has the expertise and equipment for reliable oversight.
--The 3-2 vote to finance this year’s July 4 fireworks show pitted Rikel, Schwing and Winder against Anderson and Horton, who opposed a modest expenditure for the best-attended and most-watched city event.
If that means a bit less spent on the $1 million Kikuyu grass program for the Black Gold Golf Course or fewer dollars set aside for council members’ retirement accounts, that’s a more than acceptable tradeoff to preserve the city’s Independence Day celebration.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 AM
<< Home