Discerning Voters Reject No-Growth Candidates
Local news: My computer was smokin' last night. Besides trolling for the latest election results out of Ohio, Florida, Iowa, New Mexico, Nevada and Sacramento, I was busy checking the local results in counties throughout Southern California where we represent home builders.
The results are smashing! Candidates -- incumbents and wannabees alike -- who took strong no-growth or growth restricting stands were smashed at almost every turn. Here are the cities I am monitoring for current clients:
First, and most significant, the Castaic Lake Water Agency in Santa Clarita: Anti-growthers had seized control of this agency in an effort to stop planned developments by Newhall Land. The bad guys got blitzed, the agency changed hands, and the good guys won by margins of 61 to 76 percent. Voters knew what this was about, and they soundly repudiated anti-growth positions!
Brea: Longstanding and popular councilmember Marty Simonoff, who foolishly voted to fund a high-priced PR campaign against the proposed new Aera master-planned community, did win re-election. Also seated was Don Schweitzer, who promises to be a voice for balance.
Calimesa: Virulent anti-growth councilmember Greg Schook came in fifth and his running mate fared only slightly better. More visionary incumbents were re-seated in this city that will probably triple in size in the next few years, with large projects like SunCal's SummerWind Ranch now in the approval process.
Chino: Anti-growth renegades Fetelke and Rivera polled under 12 percent, while the incumbents, who recently approved SunCal's College Park project won with 20 percent tallies.
Fullerton: Two of three reasonable candidates won, good news for Chevron's West Coyote Hills project. Not re-elected was Mike Clesceri, who seemed a good vote for balanced development; he lost for reasons that had nothing to do with his position on growth issues.
Laguna Beach: Wayne Baglin, long a voice of insanity on the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, was not reelected. He was targeted by developer interests, and the people didn't seem to mind -- he came in last.
La Habra: Steve Anderson, who lead the charge against the city's funding of the anti-growth PR campaign mentioned with Brea above, was reelected. Unfortunately, his ticket-mate lost to incumbent Rose Espinosa, who supported the funding.
Newport Beach: All incumbents won, showing the weakening grip of Greenlight anti-growth activists in the city.
The results are smashing! Candidates -- incumbents and wannabees alike -- who took strong no-growth or growth restricting stands were smashed at almost every turn. Here are the cities I am monitoring for current clients:
First, and most significant, the Castaic Lake Water Agency in Santa Clarita: Anti-growthers had seized control of this agency in an effort to stop planned developments by Newhall Land. The bad guys got blitzed, the agency changed hands, and the good guys won by margins of 61 to 76 percent. Voters knew what this was about, and they soundly repudiated anti-growth positions!
Brea: Longstanding and popular councilmember Marty Simonoff, who foolishly voted to fund a high-priced PR campaign against the proposed new Aera master-planned community, did win re-election. Also seated was Don Schweitzer, who promises to be a voice for balance.
Calimesa: Virulent anti-growth councilmember Greg Schook came in fifth and his running mate fared only slightly better. More visionary incumbents were re-seated in this city that will probably triple in size in the next few years, with large projects like SunCal's SummerWind Ranch now in the approval process.
Chino: Anti-growth renegades Fetelke and Rivera polled under 12 percent, while the incumbents, who recently approved SunCal's College Park project won with 20 percent tallies.
Fullerton: Two of three reasonable candidates won, good news for Chevron's West Coyote Hills project. Not re-elected was Mike Clesceri, who seemed a good vote for balanced development; he lost for reasons that had nothing to do with his position on growth issues.
Laguna Beach: Wayne Baglin, long a voice of insanity on the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, was not reelected. He was targeted by developer interests, and the people didn't seem to mind -- he came in last.
La Habra: Steve Anderson, who lead the charge against the city's funding of the anti-growth PR campaign mentioned with Brea above, was reelected. Unfortunately, his ticket-mate lost to incumbent Rose Espinosa, who supported the funding.
Newport Beach: All incumbents won, showing the weakening grip of Greenlight anti-growth activists in the city.
posted by Laer at 10:35 AM
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