Two
down-ballot contests in the June primary election – listed well
below the presidential, legislative and judicial races – merit
attention from Yorba Linda residents because of their potential
impact on local governmental decision-making.
With
record interest in the Republican and Democratic presidential races,
a large June 7 turnout is anticipated, with a more-than-usual number
of Yorba Lindans voting in the little-noticed contests at the bottom
of the ballot.
The
often-overlooked contests include balloting for a county Board of
Education seat and six slots on the county Republican Central
Committee representing regions that include this and several other
cities.
One of
the county school trustee positions on the ballot is the Area 3 seat
now held by 20-year incumbent Ken Williams, Jr., a physician residing
in Villa Park. He defeated a 20-year incumbent when he was first
elected in 1996.
His
opponents are Michael Parham, an Irvine schools trustee, and Margaret
Brown, facilities director for Garden Grove schools. Only Williams
and Parham paid a $3,591 deposit for a 200-word statement to be
mailed to registered voters with sample ballots starting April 28.
Williams
and Parham each list support from fellow trustees: Robert Hammond and
Linda Lindholm for Williams and David Boyd and Jack Bedell for
Parham. Local endorsers are Councilman Gene Hernandez for Williams
and schools Superintendent Doug Domene for Parham.
An
interesting contest has shaped up for the six positions on the Orange
County Republican Central Committee representing this county's area
of the 55th Assembly District that includes Yorba Linda,
Placentia, Brea and La Habra.
The
posts are important because the committee makes endorsements in City
Council, school trustee, water district and other local contests,
especially valuable in GOP-rich areas, such as Yorba Linda, with two
and one-half times as many registered Republicans as Democrats.
The
group had a significant impact on Yorba Linda's 2014 council
elections by opposing the failed recall against Craig Young and Tom
Lindsey and later endorsing winners Lindsey and Peggy Huang.
Endorsements are expected for this year's council and water board
contests.
Currently,
five of the six 55th District slots are held by Yorba
Lindans, including Brett Barbre, a former Yorba Linda Water District
director now on the county Municipal Water District's board; council
members Gene Hernandez and Peggy Huang; and Karla Downing and Dennis
White.
The
five and La Habra Councilman Tim Shaw are seeking new terms that
start Jan. 1. Of the nine challengers, seven are from Yorba Linda and
two from Placentia. Yorba Lindans include Councilman Craig Young and
Parks and Recreation Commissioner Tara Campbell.
Others
are nurses Susi Khan and Nadia White; business owners James Gerbus
and Irene Yezbak; and projects manager Ed Gunderson. The two from
Placentia are Desare Ferrano and Michael Withrow.