The Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation (YLRRR) is a small group of local residents whose primary purpose has become to get their endorsed candidates elected to the Yorba Linda City Council and punish those they do not support. They have taken positions on various city issues and have sought to elect a candidate to the Yorba Linda Water District.
Where did they come from?
They originated from the Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Redevelopment group that began in 2005 to fight against eminent domain, the high density Town Center redevelopment project, and put Measure B, the Right To Vote Initiative on the 2006 ballot. Among their leaders and board members during 2005 – 2006 were Jan and Jim Horton.
In 2006 Jan Horton and John Anderson were endorsed and supported by the original group. Jan and Jim Horton resigned from the group after Jan was elected to the City Council to avoid any conflict of interest. Click here for more
In early 2007, YLRRR changed their name to the Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation.
Who controls YLRRR now?
There is no public list of YLRRR members or board members. They do not publish their bylaws. They seldom if ever have public meetings. Only their treasurer Josefina Sioson, who owns property in the Town Center on Lakeview is named on state required FPPC 460 financial reporting documents.
Some of the known board members are twice- failed City Council candidate Ed Rakochy, Matt Guptil who is Councilman John Andersons campaign treasurer and Tom Lynch. Other close associates are Jeff Winter, DeeDee Fredrick of the Yorba Linda County Riders, Tony D’Amico, Wally Curl, Dave Rosenberger and Earl Carbone.
How are they financed?
From January 2009 through September 30, 2010 they raised $208 from cash donations and $6,282 from garage sales.
How do they spend their money?
In 2008 they spent $5,023 supporting Rackochy, Schwing, Rikel and Rosenberger and campaigning against Jim Winder.
In 2009 they paid back $2,496 in loans from Wally Curl, Claudine Lynch, Anthony D’Amico, Dave Rosenberger and Electronic Model Systems, which is owned by City Councilman Mark Schwing. They spent $325 for flyers that YLRRR members distributed at grocery stores against the Black Gold Golf Course and the Housing Element.
Through September 30, 2010 they have spent $5,252 to purchase flyers, mailers and newspaper advertising for their smear campaign to discredit Councilwoman Jan Horton who is running for re-election.
What has YLRRR accomplished since 2006?
2007 – Hank Wedaa was elected to the City Council.
2008 – Mark Schwing and Nancy Rikel were elected to the City Council. Rakochy and Rosenberger lost.
2009 – They paid back their loans.
Which candidates do they support, past and present?
In the 2007 special election to fill the City Council seat vacated by Mike Duvall, the group supported former City Councilman Hank Wedaa.
In 2008, the group supported three candidates; former councilman Mark Schwing, YLRRR board members Ed Rakochy and Nancy Rikel. If Rakochy had been successful in his election bid , YLRRR candidates would have controlled four of the five council seats and have a voting super majority.
In 2010 they have endorsed John Anderson and former failed City Council candidate Tom Lindsey. YLRRR is again looking to control four of the five council seats to have a voting super majority. If successful they will have their eye on 2012 to fill the seat of termed out Councilman Jim Winder. If that happens YLRRR candidates would have complete control of the City Council. YLRRR is also supporting John Anderson’s flawed ethics policy, Measure Y. Click here for more
What happens if candidates do not vote YLRRR’s way?
The group or their associates fund negative campaigns to punish those they previously supported. They did so against Hank Wedaa in 2008 and now against Jan Horton in 2010 because they refused to be controlled by YLRRR.
Should I vote for YLRRR candidates?
Only if you want the Yorba Linda City Council to be controlled by Council members who are closely aligned with and influenced by a small anonymous group who lacks transparency and accountability.
Related Links
Jan Horton’s response to allegations and misinformation circulated by her opponents. Click here
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the info.
I have not commented before. The voters of Yorba Linda have spoken loudly and clearly.
I am a former board member of YLRRR and a former supporter of Jan Horton. The list of names of the acused in Jim Horton’s piece are all former Jan Horton supporters. Jan should perhaps look in the mirror to begin to understand how that came to be.
One of the more appalling intendencies of the Horton camp is its self-righteous indignation and intolerance of any dissenting views or criticism. Loaded labels such as “negative campaigning,” “mean-spirited” or “mud slinging” are readily thrown about. This sort of response is the same old dismissive rhetoric used by former Council Member Ken Ryan and his allies and is a refuge of those politicians who seek to quash First Amendment rights. In too many ways Jan sadly became that which she once ran against.
Mr. Davis fails to mention that four years ago after Jan Horton was elected, he and others mentioned in this article, including Councilman John Anderson and Councilwoman Nancy Rikel wanted Jan to appoint Hank Wedaa to the City Council. When Jan would not agree to do so, Mr. Davis and the other YLRRR board members launched a barrage of emails severely criticizing her. Their support and relationship ended when Jan would not cave in to their demand to appoint Mr. Wedaa.
I suppose “Self-righteous indignation and intolerance of any dissenting views or criticism” is a matter of perspective since Jan Horton had the dissenting view and Mr. Davis and other YLRRR board members withdrew their support due to their intolerance. I have often said over the years, “these are some of the sorest winners I have ever met”.
Jim’s response is Q.E.D. of what I spoke.
Facts are indeed troublesome things. Jan recently lost because all of the chickens came home to roost.
As one example– for me, the most infuriating aspect of the whole Wedaa debacle was Jan’s truculence in not offering any cogent reason or really any reason at all not to vote for Mr. Wedaa’s interim appointment and her refusal to provide any alternative proposal (and certainly none that was viable). Remember, Jim Winder had indicated his critically necessary support of Mr. Wedaa’s appointment and Mr. Wedaa had agreed not to run for re-election and to fill only a caretaker role for the balance of Mr. Duvall’s unexpired term. Jan declined without any reason or explanation to provide a needed third vote for Mr. Wedda’s appointment.
The only words I ever recall coming from her was some meaningless rhetoric that Mr. Wedaa was “old school.” As opposed to Mr. Ryan’s “new school” or what??? I could never get a response. (And given Jan’s embracing of Mr. Wedaa’s “endorsement” in her recent campaign, which is it?)
Instead, Jan had no alternative and the result was stalement until another election — always a costly and risky alternative.
Is Jim’s retort a foretaste of the irrelevant and diversionary bitterness we can expect from Jim/Jan for the next four years or longer?
Four years have passed and Mr. Davis should just get over the the fact that Jan could not be intimidated into complying with his wishes; all of which are irrelevant now.
As for chickens coming home to roost, the only ones I know of are those who funded or condoned the anonymous campaign to malign Jan’s character and integrity. Election or not, dishonesty and lying render any claim of being transparent, honest and ethical as mere political rhetoric and hypocrisy.
Am I disappointed with the outcome of the election? Yes. Am I bitter? No. Circumstances don’t alway turn out the way you want. So rather than dwelling on the past you move forward and look for the next opportunity. Will I write more about YLRRR and other special interest groups who have influence over the City Council? Yes. Will I continue to report on the actions and decisions of the City Council majority? Yes.
I see that there is no point to any debate with the unprincipled or those blinded by emotion or bitterness (notwithstanding the unconvincing protestation to the contrary).
Mr. Horton raised the whole sorry Wedaa episode; not I. The latest retort is hypocrtical and such attack rhetoric is part of a pattern of not addressing issues on the merits — “Don’t bother me with any facts.”
I can also see that there will be a long winter of Horton discontent with bias masquerading as “reporting.”
Mr. Davis, as with his YLRRR counterparts, has a propensity for using ad hominem attacks against those whom they disagree. While I think his personal attacks are rude and disrespectful, I respect his willingness to post them using his own name instead of doing so anonymously.
“If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen.”
— Harry Truman