Gifts, contributions detailed in local officials’ reports
Jim Drummond Political Perspectives
Yorba Linda Star - July 21, 2005 -
Viewpoints Section
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Yorba Lindans are able to keep track of the financial aspects of local politics thanks to the campaign finance and gift reporting provisions of the state’s Political Reform Act.
The legislation requires candidates for City Council, school trustee and water district positions to reveal twice each year – and more often during election years – the names, addresses and occupations of all contributors who exceed $99 in total donations.
And elected officials must detail the value of gifts they receive once each year. The law limits gifts to $340 annually from a single source.
The next campaign finance reports are due at the end of this month. The documents will show campaign contributions and expenses from January through June of this year. Since 2005 is not a regular election year, the reports might be of little interest.
However, in some past city elections, major contributors have written their checks in January, thus delaying public disclosure for another six months after the fall campaign period.
City Council reports may be viewed after Aug. 1 at City Hall. School and water district documents will be available at their offices and the county Registrar of Voters’ office.
The gift reports, along with broad-range listings of personal assets and income, are filed each April at City Hall and the main offices of the local school and water districts.
This year’s reports cover all of 2004. School trustees and water directors reported no gifts, but council members listed several dinners, tickets and golf outings.
Councilman Allen Castellano reported a $65 golf outing from a land developer.
Councilman Mike Duvall reported a $65 golf outing from Aera Energy land developer and a $65 dinner from an attorney firm.
Councilman Ken Ryan reported two golf tournament tickets worth $130.
Mayor Keri Wilson reported a $65 dinner from an attorney firm and two sets of four baseball tickets worth a total of $180 from Smith Public Affairs lobbyist.
Councilman Jim Winder reported a $50 golf-tournament pass and buffet from Southern California Gas Co., a $65 golf and meal outing from Aera Energy land developer, four baseball tickets worth $160 from a Smith Public Affairs lobbyist, a $65 dinner from an attorney firm, a $100 golf outing from the CEO of St. Jude Medical Center and a $40 lunch and $60 dinner from businessman John Beatificato.Campaign finance and gift reporting rules are enforced by the state Fair Political Practices Commission with information available on the www.fppc.ca.gov Web site.
A FINAL NOTE – I enjoyed the recent tour promoting the Old Towne project. Developers made admirable promises to preserve historic buildings and early design styles but offered no commitment to the city’s equally important low-density lifestyle.
Interestingly, the developers mildly criticized other completed Old Towne-area projects.
Michael Dieden said his housing would be better than the “postage-stamp” Presidential Walk homes south of the post office. Greg Brown said his Yorba Linda Boulevard retail shops would be set back from the street, unlike the food court at Lakeview Avenue. And Dieden replied “no comment,” when asked if Duvall’s Lemon Drive insurance building will blend in with Dieden’s Town Center architectural plans.
Jim Drummond
is a longtime Yorba Linda resident.
JIM
DRUMMOND POLITICAL PERSPECTIVES
Yorba Linda Star - July 7, 2005
- Viewpoints Section
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