Large number seek vacant Yorba Linda City Council seat; Little Free Library opens at Jessamyn West Park

 

The large number of residents who applied for a vacant seat on the Yorba Linda City Council this month contrasts sharply with the small fields of candidates who have run for the positions in the most recent November general elections.

Nineteen residents submitted applications for the seat left by Gene Hernandez, who was appointed director for the Yorba Linda Water District, and 17 showed up for interviews by council members Tara Campbell, Beth Haney, Janice Lim and Carlos Rodriguez.

By contrast, only three residents campaigned for two council seats in 2018, nobody filed to run against three incumbents in 2020 and again just three candidates sought two positions in 2022.

The dearth of candidates in the last three election cycles also contrasts with larger fields in earlier elections. The city's first council ballot in 1967 listed 27 candidates for the five seats, and the second council election in 1970 featured 18 candidates, again for all five seats.

One major factor for residents seeking an appointment rather than running for office is the high cost of mounting a campaign, with recent winners spending from $30,000 to $70,000 to win a four-year term, some cash raised from contributions and some from self-made loans.

Another factor is an expected vote in November to rezone land to meet a state mandate to provide opportunities for 2,415 new housing units through 2029 or face penalties. Nearly all applicants stated they wanted to work on this major challenge to the city's future.

And interestingly, several of the applicants said they wouldn't run for a full term in November.

Peggy Huang, who won the appointment, is the second member to be appointed to a seat outside of an election cycle, following Gene Wisner, appointed in 1983. And she's the third member to rejoin the council after an absence, following Hank Wedaa and Mark Schwing.

Huang previously served for two terms, placing first in both the 2014 and 2018 elections for two seats. She could seek a full third term in November under the city's three-term limit law.

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The Little Free Library at Jessamyn West Park is now open for business, according to Kathi Angus, chair of the Woman's Club's Little Library Committee. It's located 20 yards down the main path from the parking lot between the basketball court and softball field.

The Girl Scout-built, city-installed box at 19115 E. Yorba Linda Blvd. is currently stocked with children's books and novels. Angus said, “I'll definitely look for some of West's books to add.”

Among the Woman's Club's many activities is support for the 11^th Marine Expeditionary Unit at Camp Pendleton, which has been adopted by the City Council to create community support for local Marines, sailors and their families.

Bill Scarberry, the Adoption Committee's community outreach director, invites residents to learn more by visiting the group's website, yorbalinda11thMEU.org.