Within the wake of a Metropolis Corridor scandal that might nonetheless splash mud on extra native leaders, Anaheim’s subsequent mayor may have an enormous job, but in addition a fragile one.
4 folks assume they’re as much as it: lawyer Ashleigh Aitken and former council member Lorri Galloway (each of whom ran for the workplace in 2018); political newcomer Dick Lopez, a water techniques operator on the metropolis’s wastewater therapy plant; and District 6 Councilman Trevor O’Neil, who as mayor professional tem has been operating council conferences since former Mayor Harry Sidhu stepped down in Might.
“Given the FBI investigation and what’s occurred the final six months, I feel there’s going to be lots of people watching this carefully,” former Mayor Tom Tait, whose second time period led to 2018, mentioned of the November election for his previous seat.
“I feel the general public, rightfully so, have misplaced belief within the metropolis authorities, belief in doing what’s in the perfect pursuits of the folks versus the well-moneyed particular pursuits,” he mentioned.
Sidhu resigned amid public strain when it got here to gentle he was being investigated by the FBI, amongst allegations made in an affidavit for a search warrant was that he might have tried to cross on confidential info to Angels Baseball officers whereas the town was negotiating with them to promote Angel Stadium, and in return he allegedly hoped to ask for $1 million in assist for his reelection marketing campaign.
Sidhu has not been charged with a criminal offense. His lawyer has maintained that a thorough investigation would show Sidhu didn't disclose any secret info, and that his marketing campaign contributions are in compliance with the legislation.
On the heels of Sidhu’s shame got here the arrest and subsequent responsible plea of shut advisor and former Anaheim Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Ament, who in a settlement pleaded to a number of counts of fraud in July. In courtroom filings investigators alleged he helped lead a self-described cabal that influenced council choices in favor of highly effective enterprise pursuits.
With these occasions as a preface, whoever wins in November steps into the glare of public scrutiny – and takes on a job that, by the point they’re sworn in, may have been vacant for six months.
What Anaheim wants
Anaheim is the county’s most populous metropolis, with about 350,000 residents, and it’s dwelling to 2 skilled sports activities groups, a big conference middle, Disneyland – which, with greater than 30,000 workers is the county’s largest single employer – and a surrounding resort district whose lodge taxes are anticipated to make up greater than a 3rd of basic fund income this yr.
“The factor that I wish to remind people is that Anaheim is the tenth largest metropolis in California and so it sits in a really particular class of cities” whose mayors play a task in state coverage discussions, mentioned Lucy Dunn, who retired as CEO of the Orange County Enterprise Council in December.
Anaheim’s mayor must hearken to the wants of residents, but in addition can’t afford to scorn the companies that create tax income to pay for police, parks and libraries, she mentioned.
“My want is, don't forget what simply occurred on this metropolis. Keep in mind you've got a broad base of illustration, and as a metropolis chief your job is extremely troublesome to steadiness competing pursuits and to actually elevate up Anaheim for everybody,” she mentioned.
With all that to deal with, the town’s mayor serves a four-year time period for an annual wage of $18,000 plus different advantages. So who needs the job?
Two of the candidates on the November poll say their expertise is what the town must get again heading in the right direction after the latest turmoil, which ended up killing the stadium sale.
With Anaheim’s price range of greater than $1 billion and greater than 3,000 metropolis workers, “now isn’t the time for novices – due to a few of the issues which have occurred at Metropolis Corridor, there's a studying curve simply to go in and perceive the town,” mentioned Galloway, who served two phrases on the council that led to 2012.
For nearly 40 years, Galloway, 69, has run the nonprofit Eli Residence, which gives shelter and providers to youngsters and their moms who're experiencing homelessness, home violence or substance abuse. She mentioned Anaheim residents she speaks with are involved about security and homelessness within the metropolis, points she would prioritize as mayor.
O’Neil, 51, additionally touts his “confirmed expertise” in filling the management void left by Sidhu’s resignation. He’s wrapping up a four-year time period on the council and likewise runs a enterprise offering dwelling well being care providers.
O’Neil mentioned whereas on the council he supported rising the ranks of police and firefighters, helped get greater than $72 million in pandemic support to households and companies, and bought the town to participate in a state program that funds turning market-rate flats into inexpensive “workforce” housing.
However he’s additionally been dogged by accusations of coziness with Sidhu and prevailing enterprise pursuits.
“Sure, I used to be aligned with former Mayor Sidhu on a variety of points however not all points, and my voting document speaks to that,” O’Neil mentioned.
Aitken and Lopez mentioned in addition they would deal with points similar to homelessness and group security, however they and Galloway all mentioned transparency and rebuilding residents’ belief of their metropolis authorities will probably be key.
“As a former federal prosecutor, my No. 1 purpose is to essentially restore folks’s religion in a clear authorities and guarantee they really feel Metropolis Corridor is working for them,” Aitken, 46, mentioned.
She mentioned if elected she would make her schedule public so constituents would know who their mayor is assembly with, and added, “I imagine in full disclosure” concerning marketing campaign donations from an individual or group with enterprise in entrance of the town.
Lopez, 48, mentioned he grew up in Anaheim and was “disheartened” by the latest scandal at Metropolis Corridor. As a metropolis worker, he’s involved in regards to the “mind drain” of employees getting skilled right here after which leaving for different businesses with higher pay and advantages, he mentioned.
He’d be keen to think about the ticket tax on Disneyland and different giant sights the council majority simply rejected, he mentioned, including that he’s not looking for to curry favor with the resort district companies that usually again their most well-liked candidates with massive cash.
“Now we have to make a recent begin,” Lopez mentioned. “That’s what I’m providing right here.”
Will they spend?
Because the 4 candidates’ campaigns unfold within the coming weeks, so will one other saga: Who will spend cash to again their most well-liked horse.
The Assist Our Anaheim Resort Space (SOAR) political motion committee – largely funded by Disney – spent greater than $350,000 on every of three council candidates in 2018. The PAC reported amassing a complete of $1.3 million in 2021, based on marketing campaign finance studies filed with the town.
Aitken, Galloway and Lopez mentioned they haven't been supported by massive enterprise to date, and whereas they promised transparency about any contributors, nobody explicitly mentioned they’d reject that assist if supplied.
O’Neil, who was backed by the SOAR PAC in 2018, mentioned he would settle for marketing campaign funding from anybody aligned along with his political philosophy, “however my ideology and my opinions are definitely not on the market and never topic to affect by contributions.”
Chapman College political science professor Fred Smoller predicted that after the town’s latest embarrassment of creating nationwide information, Anaheim voters will probably be watching the November election carefully.
“To me, it’s a change election. It’s post-Watergate,” he mentioned. “Folks will probably be in search of new blood.”
To Tait, the previous mayor, which means taking a look at who’s spending cash on candidates hoping for a spot at Metropolis Corridor.
“The impartial expenditure committees will get much more scrutiny from the general public and persons are going to wish to know, while you unwind these, who’s truly making the marketing campaign donations and the way a lot,” Tait mentioned. “If it’s a large quantity, folks will naturally marvel why.”
Tait predicted the same old massive spenders will maintain again as a result of they know all eyes are on them … and he could also be proper.
Studies the SOAR PAC filed that cowl exercise via June 30 present that whereas the group is sitting on greater than $1.3 million in money, it obtained no new contributions in latest months and it listed greater than $15,000 as “refund funds” to a Sacramento firm that produces marketing campaign slate mailers.