YL voters send messages with ballots

A comment attributed to Yankee baseball great Yogi Berra—“It’s déjà vu all over again!”—easily applies to this year’s City Council election.

In 2000, voters, fed up with nonstop political and personal bickering, chose four fresh faces to give the governing body much-needed new blood, as one incumbent resigned, two didn’t seek re-election and voters turned out a fourth

This year, voters again appear weary of the endless political wrangling and unmistakable personal animosity, judging by e-mails I’ve received and blog comments I’ve read. And just one of the two incumbents whose terms are expiring will battle for re-election.

Mayor John Anderson opted out of the race—he said soon after his election in 2006 he probably would serve only one term—but his nemesis Jan Horton is running for a new term. Filing closes Aug. 11 at City Hall.

Back in 2000, a long-standing feud between Hank Wedaa, first elected in 1970, and John Gullixson, first elected in 1990, divided the dais 3-2, most often with Mark Schwing as a Wedaa ally and Barbara Kiley and Gene Wisner supporting Gullixson.

After contentious debate, with plenty of personal attacks, ended the reign of 27-year City Manager Art Simonian, Wisner resigned, Kiley and Wedaa didn’t file for re-election and Schwing lost his seat. Gullixson left office two years later.

Current quarrels often involve Anderson and Horton, and the political gamesmanship is quite evident during the twice monthly council sessions and on their personal Web sites, although Anderson removed his pages soon after he announced he wasn’t running.

Since 2008, Anderson has been joined on 3-2 votes by Schwing and Nancy Rikel, while Jim Winder, 2000 winner and 2008 survivor by one vote, frequently teams with Horton.

This column doesn’t have enough space to detail all of the reasons for the ill will between Anderson and Horton, and some are too personal for print. But the council majority twice has denied Horton the mayor’s chair after she served as mayor pro tem in 2008.

And Anderson is a frequent subject of Horton’s husband’s video recording at meetings, including a recent Finance Committee meeting I observed. Jim Horton focused a small camera on Anderson for most of the session, even when others at the table were speaking.

Both Anderson and Horton have strong supporters, but sadly, a few of them resort to name-calling when posting comments on local Web sites, blogs and Facebook pages.

None of these actions are illegal, but they don’t inspire confidence in city government, some of the people in elected office and others scrambling to take sides in the conflict.

Ever since three of the original council members were dumped in the 1970 second city election, voters haven’t been reluctant to either defeat incumbents or reject challengers. Residents want a healthy discussion of issues sans name-calling and personal attacks.

Here's an odd election-year tale for YL

With another lively City Council election on the horizon--filing for two open positions continues this week at City Hall--it’s not surprising that a 5-0 vote on a routine “consent calendar” item briefly ensnarled three council members in conflict of interest allegations.

What is surprising is the initial complaint charging one council person with a conflict came from a Waldorf, Maryland, resident, who told the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission in a formal filing that she views council meetings on the city’s Web site.

But before I plow deeper into this odd election-year tale, let me note the FPPC quickly dismissed the charges against all three council members who were eventually involved—John Anderson, Jan Horton and Nancy Rikel.

The story begins with one item in the “consent calendar” on the April 6 council agenda. Consent calendar matters are normally non-controversial and most are lumped together for a single vote near the beginning of each meeting.

Public Works Director Mark Stowell recommended council allocate $500,000 from the state’s Prop. 1-B money for “pavement preservation treatment” on Ohio Street, Oriente Drive and Avocado and Palm avenues, all north of Yorba Linda Boulevard.

Stowell said the coating would “prevent further deterioration” of the four roadways. All council members voted the staff recommendation on this and eight other calendar items.

A complaint from Debbie Devine was received by the FPPC May 26 claiming Anderson “owns property and resides” within 500 feet of one of the streets selected for repair work.

Devine stated, “I’ve seen Mr. Anderson scrutinize other council members with respect to conflict of interest issues, so, being familiar with the area, I was surprised to see [him] vote on this item.” She asked, “Perhaps conflict of issue rules don’t apply to him?”

No other council members were mentioned in Devine’s complaint. But when Anderson checked the record, he discovered Horton and Rikel also reside within 500 feet of one or more of the streets involved in the matter.

The 500-foot distance is measured from the closest property line to a proposed project and not from the middle of a council person’s property as is often shown on city maps.

So Anderson asked the FPPC to add Horton’s and Rikel’s names to the complaint filed by Devine but the FPPC declined to investigate the matter, as stated in a June 9 letter to Devine and a June 17 letter to Anderson.

Here’s the official FPPC ruling on the 500-foot issue: State law “permits a public official to participate in a decision if the decision solely concerns repairs, replacement or maintenance of existing streets, water, sewer, storm drainage or similar facilities.”

No doubt Yorba Lindans can expect more weird tales as the Nov. 2 election approaches.

A peek at the YL political scene

Observations on the current political scene:

--Mayor John Anderson told me last week he won’t seek a second City Council term. The decision isn’t a surprise, since an interview reported in this column back in 2007 gave me the impression he would try to accomplish his goals within four years.

“I have no intention of running for re-election,” Anderson stated then. I’ll have more on his retirement and impact on the city in a future column. Filing for his and Jan Horton’s council seats closes Aug. 11.

-A defining issue in the upcoming election could be council’s 3-0 vote for a proclamation supporting Arizona’s illegal immigration enforcement policy. The count of e-mails, faxes and letters to the city since June 1 shows wide support for the council action.

The latest tally stands at 945 for and 34 against, with 311 from Yorba Lindans (split 284-27) and 669 from other places or unknown (split 661-7).

In favor were Anderson, Nancy Rikel and Mark Schwing. Horton, not present for the vote, later said she would have abstained, calling the issue “emotional” and “not city business.” Jim Winder left before the vote after speaking in opposition.

Many politicians aren’t sensing the voter anger on the issue and might suffer at the polls for a “fence-sitting” position. A similar voter attitude prevailed with the1978 passage of Prop. 13, which limited property tax valuations and surprised some legislative leaders.

And many Yorba Lindans view the issue as city business with the state taking city cash to repair a big deficit some say is partially caused by services provided “illegal immigrants.”

--Tom Lindsey, a 26-year resident and business owner who chaired “Campaign for Kids” promoting the successful 2002 school bond measure, is joining the race for a council seat.

Lindsey ran in 2000, but his estimable campaign was outgunned by the sizeable cash contributions from developers and political action committees funded by developers parceled out to the winners, especially Allen Castellano and Mike Duvall.

But with growth slowing, 2000 and 2002 were the last council elections to see so much money spent by developers and other outside-the-city interests. Lindsey’s pro-Arizona proclamation and pro-ethics ordinance stances might appeal to voters this time.

--Minutes after a two-hour, 20-minute closed door council meeting July 3, departing City Manager Dave Adams told me the 5-0 choice of longtime resident and 30-year employee Steve Rudometkin as interim City Manger was “brilliant.”

Actually, Rudometkin, a popular and respected leader during his tenure as Parks and Recreation Director, should have been given the top job when 27-year City Manager Art Simonian left, when Terry Belanger retired and when Tammy Letourneau was dismissed.

This time, the city’s revolving door brings more “institutional knowledge” to the position.

July 4 event a community tradition

Each year’s most-watched city event is the July 4 fireworks show. The patriotic display draws celebrants to Veterans Park for food, music and 15 minutes of colorful, night-time pyrotechnics, which also are viewed from myriad yards, parkways, streets and rooftops.

But the modest funding needed to pay for this year’s spectacle—the 21st in city history—squeaked by on a 3-2 City Council vote. Supporting the latest contract were Nancy Rikel, Mark Schwing and Jim Winder, with John Anderson and Jan Horton opposed.

The first city-funded fireworks show was held in 1989, a couple of years after council members banned the previously allowable private “safe and sane” displays. Residents had endorsed restrictions in a 1986 advisory vote, 8,651 to 4,207.

Since several local sports leagues, Scout groups and church organizations raised cash by selling fireworks each year, afternoon and evening activities at the Valley View Avenue park were added, in part, to allow food and game booths as fundraisers.

The overall city expense in 2009 was about $60,000, with the fireworks display costing $23,000 and salaries and other expenditures totaling some $37,000. The motion for this year’s event called for a 20 percent cut in the latter figure.

Council had set aside $14,500 from leasing the city-owned “poppy field” at Yorba Linda Boulevard and Imperial Highway for pumpkin and Christmas tree sales to the July 4 fete.

The 2011 festivities merit a 5-0 vote as spending for the next fiscal year is developed.

Meanwhile, the city continues to subsidize operations at the Black Gold Golf Course. A June 30 report by city Finance Director David Christian notes that for the past few years, “expenses have exceeded revenues,” with city funds used to bridge the gap.

For the 2010-11 fiscal year, course revenues are expected to be a bit above $5.67 million, higher than last year’s $5.38 million, but below the $6.19 million earned in 2007-08. The $7.13 million in expenditures estimated for 2010-11 include $1 million for depreciation.

So, city taxpayers will subsidize the 52,000 rounds it is hoped golfers will play 2010-11 at close to $1.46 million, up from last year’s $1.34 million and the $1.13 million handed over in 2007-08.

The city has loaned Black Gold $4.7 million since 2000, with interest waived since 2007-08. Lost interest for that year and the next was $226,943, with the forgiven 2009-10 total still to be calculated.

Work has begun on turf renovation, involving a five-year transition from rye to Kikuyu grass for $1.2 million and Bermuda grass at tee boxes for $140,000, with an anticipated $300,000 in water and other savings.

Of course, cash for this expense comes from city taxpayers, at $224,145 for the first year and $155,325 to $184,280 the next four years. This vote was 3-2, with Horton, Schwing and Winder in favor, Anderson and Rikel opposed.

Voters have decisions ahead in November

Next up on the political scene is a four-week filing period for 10 positions representing Yorba Linda on five governing boards: two City Council seats, four school trustee jobs and four water board director slots.

And right away we’ll see who is serious about seeking the elected positions during signups, since credible candidates will write sizeable checks to pay for a 200-word “statement of qualifications” to be included with materials mailed to voters.

Candidates who can’t cough up the cash for a statement stand little chance of winning, since they probably also don’t have enough dough to pay for the newspaper ads, signs, mailers and annoying phone calls needed to reach voters.

Signups begin July 12 and end Aug. 6, unless an incumbent doesn’t file, which extends the time through Aug. 11 for challengers. Council signups are taken at City Hall, while all others file at the county Registrar of Voters office, 1300 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana.

Here’re the local contests slated for the Nov. 2 ballot:

--Two City Council positions, held by John Anderson and Jan Horton, elected to first terms in 2006. Cost of a ballot statement is $946, sent to 43,082 voters. Horton is the only announced candidate to date.

--Three Placentia-Yorba Linda school district trustee slots, one two-year and two four-year terms. Incumbents are Kim Palmer, named in March to replace Judy Miller; Karin Freeman, first elected in 1989; and Jan Wagner, first elected in 1998.

Of course, Palmer’s in the race. She could sign-up for the short-term seat she now holds or seek a full term. Wagner told me she’s not running for a fourth-term, while Freeman e-mailed she’s “seriously considering” a re-election race but hasn’t made a final decision.

Cost of a ballot statement is $1,492, sent to 91,585 voters in Placentia and Yorba Linda and parts of Anaheim, Brea and Fullerton.

--A seat representing Yorba Linda and nearby areas on the North Orange County Community College District board, held by Jeff Brown, who’s up for a third term.

Yorba Lindans also will vote on two other college seats, held by Barbara Dunsheath of Cypress and Donna Miller of Buena Park, but candidates must reside in those areas. A ballot statement costs $5,428, sent to 431,985 voters.

--Three seats on the Yorba Linda Water District board, held by Phil Hawkins, appointed to replace Paul Armstrong, Bill Mills and John Summerfield. The ballot statement costs $1,000, sent to 47,570 voters. Mills has served 10 years and Summerfield nine.

--A seat serving Yorba Linda and other areas on the county Municipal Water District board held by Brett Barbre, who’s up for a fourth term. Ballot statement cost: $2,415 for 172,579 voters.

If the incumbents don’t draw challengers, they’ll be appointed to new terms, save the cost of campaigning and get a full refund on their ballot statement payments.