Yorba Linda Councilmembers Young and Lindsey served Recall Notice
Posted by Allen Wilson on January 5, 2014
As many were prepping for the holidays last month Yorba Linda Councilmembers Tom Lindsey and Craig Young were served with recall notice at the December 17th city council meeting.
The signature requirement for the recall of Yorba Linda councilmembers is 20% if the registration is less than 50,000, but at least 10,000. The last report of registration by the county election officials to the Secretary of State was on February 10, 2013, which shows that there were 40,501 registered voters in Yorba Linda.
The recall proponents will need to gather 8,100 signatures to mount a recall campaign against the two councilmembers within 120 days.
Councilmember Lindsey was elected in 2010 and stands for re-election this November.
Councilmember Young was elected in 2012 and stands for re-election in 2016 who is also running this June 2014 for State Assembly in the 55th Assembly District, which will be problematic as recall could hamper his Assembly prospects.
Orange County Register reported late summer of 2012 the recall efforts of Councilman John Anderson failed because the proponents did not get enough signatures.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE RECALL PETITION
(Served to Tom Lindsey on December 17)
TO THE HONORABLE Thomas H. Lindsey: Pursuant to Section 11020, California Elections Code, the undersigned registered qualified voters of Yorba Linda, in the State of California, hereby give notice that we are the proponents of a recall petition and that we intend to seek your recall and removal from the office of City Councilmember, in Yorba Linda, California and to demand election of a successor in that office.
The grounds for recall of Councilmember Thomas H. Lindsey are:
Broke his campaign pledge of low-density development.
a. Voted against an urgency ordinance, which would have placed a moratorium on high density development and that would help further a ballot measure to eliminate or reduce high-density housing sites that include 4-story buildings with heights up to 50 feet.
b. Refused to listen to concerned residents and deal harshly with the County regarding development of over 500 homes in fire sensitive land near the northeast corridor of the City.
c. Lindsey’s vote to kill the high-density moratorium is an abandonment of his signed statement in his 2010 Contract with Yorba Linda, which pledged to voters that all infill development projects would be consistent with their existing and surrounding neighborhoods.
Is fiscally irresponsible and unethical.
a. Put the City at risk for a $19 million breach of contract lawsuit with the County and the Sheriffs Department in an ill-fated attempt to renegotiate Yorba Linda’s police services contract with the Brea Police Department, after the police contract was signed and approved by both the City and County.
b. Participated in a public smear campaign of three fellow councilmembers, voting to publicly disclose confidential closed-session information used during the November 2012 election.
Councilman Lindsey responded to the recall:
PLEASE, DO NOT SIGN THE RECALL
It will cost Yorba Linda taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in filing fees alone. This recall is a misguided attempt by a narrow special interest to bully council into adopting extreme policies that will hurt our economy, kill jobs and also cost residents hundreds of thousands in attorneys’ fees.
A city-wide moratorium on new construction in response to this special interest group’s opposition is a disproportionate reaction we cannot afford. It’s the same kind of reactionary policy-making that takes place in Sacramento which is driving so many businesses from California.
This recall is a reckless erosion of council’s independence from bullying special interests. It’s an intimidation tactic that sets a precedent on future councils’ willingness to do what is right for ALL residents, not bend to the will of special interests.
I’m a low-density housing advocate who carefully negotiates as opposed to recklessly abandons the fiduciary responsibility owed taxpayers and I’m fully supportive of the diligent efforts by our Sheriffs. I’ve worked hard to help get our finances in order, already saving us millions in interest, and am disappointed this group would waste tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on this unnecessary effort.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE RECALL PETITION
(Served to Craig Young on December 17)TO THE HONORABLE Craig Young: Pursuant to Section 11020, California Elections Code, the undersigned registered qualified voters of Yorba Linda, in the State of California, hereby give notice that we are the proponents of a recall petition and that we intend to seek your recall and removal from the office of City Councilmember in Yorba Linda, California and to demand election of a successor in that office.The grounds for recall of Councilmember Craig Young are:Broke his campaign pledge of low-density development.a. Voted against an urgency ordinance, which would have placed a moratorium on high-density development and that would help further a ballot measure to eliminate or reduce high-density housing sites that include 4-story buildings with heights up to 50 feet.b. Refused to listen to concerned residents and deal harshly with the County regarding development of over 500 homes in fire sensitive land near the northeast corridor of the City.Is fiscally irresponsible and unethical.a. Put the City at risk for a $19 million breach of contract lawsuit with the County and the Sheriffs Department in an ill-fated attempt to renegotiate Yorba Linda’s police services contract with the Brea Police Department, after the police contract was signed and approved by both the City and County.Betrayed the trust of Yorba Linda voters and his 4-year commitment to the community to serve on the city council.a. Declared his candidacy for State Assembly in August 2013 within just 8 months of being sworn in for his first term as a city councilman. Ironically, his November 2012 campaign statement specifically stated he had no hidden agenda and no axe to grind.
PLEASE, DO NOT SIGN THE RECALL
It will cost Yorba Linda taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in filing fees alone. This recall is a misguided attempt by a narrow special interest to bully council into adopting extreme policies that will hurt our economy, kill jobs and also cost residents hundreds of thousands in attorneys’ fees.
A city-wide moratorium on new construction in response to this special interest group’s opposition is a disproportionate reaction we cannot afford. It’s the same kind of reactionary policy-making that takes place in Sacramento which is driving so many businesses from California.
This recall is a reckless erosion of council’s independence from bullying special interests. It’s an intimidation tactic that sets a precedent on future councils’ willingness to do what is right for ALL residents, not bend to the will of special interests.
I’m a low-density housing advocate who carefully negotiates as opposed to recklessly abandons the fiduciary responsibility owed taxpayers and I’m fully supportive of the diligent efforts by our Sheriffs. I’ve worked hard to help get our finances in order, already saving us millions in interest, and am disappointed this group would waste tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on this unnecessary effort.
We do know how much it costs. Did you know that ALL Yorba Linda taxpayers are paying over $100,000 a month to subsidize the underpayment of landscape maintenance fees by certain districts in the Landscape Maintenance Assessment District? These districts are supposed to be self sufficient and pay their own way. Craig Young and Tom Lindsey support these subsidies.Did you know that high-density housing has increased 70% in Yorba Linda and that it is decreasing ALL of our property values in the millions? There is absolutely no way a 4-story, 125 unit, multi-family apartment complex is going to increase property values adjacent to single-family homes. When presented with an opportunity to place a moratorium on high-density development so voters could correct high-density zoning issues, both Young and Lindsey cow towed to developers and voted against the moratorium.
Did you know that Young and Lindsey put the City at risk for a $19 million lawsuit with the County of Orange because they both made an ill-fated attempt to renegotiate our police contract with the City of Brea? The City had a signed contract with the Sheriff’s Department and both Young and Lindsey were willing to violate the terms of that contract and pay more for police services from Brea.
Lindsey and Young are costing our city millions. A recall is a drop in the bucket.
OC Political 
CKS said
GET THEM OUT!! Recall is coming!!!
Patricia Ann Rizzo said
I whole heartedly agree with the recall of Lindsey and Young. I sit and watch each and every council meeting with a heavy heavy heart. I watch three men, Young, Lindsey and Hernandez, ignore Yorba Linda resident after Yorba Linda resident who bring valid reasons as to why high density is not for Yorba Linda. I see manipulation among the council members to control these meetings…at first putting the public’s ability to come to the podium and speak at such late hours that most went home! I watched speaker cards being taken and people lined up “pro and con” to speak. I’ve watched developers allowed all the time they need to speak while Yorba Lindans were given a few minutes. Young and Lindsey said they would “negotiate” these high density projects to lessen their impact on Yorba Linda…Well, the first two projects…51 unit Brandywine and 82 unit Tesoro were given approval with no problem at all…they sailed right through while many Yorba Lindans left those meetings in tears. Young and Lindsey said if we don’t approve high density projects we will not meet the state’s requirement for affordable housing….well, to my knowledge neither of these projects contain affordable housing. Its one lie and one manipulation after another and we residents of Yorba Linda sit powerless and in complete dismay as we watch our beautiful city being changed from semi-rural to urban! I am praying people will see and understand what is happening. SIGN THE PETITION. WATCH the council meetings…if you can’t get there you can watch it on TV. SEE WHAT IS BEING DONE TO OUR CITY! ACT…BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!
Dennis Walker said
Ms. Rizzo seems confused. She thinks that just because a few residents, encouraged by the likes of YLRRR, stand up and express complaints about a given subject, that this is the way the entire City feels and thus our representatives should vote accordingly. Nonsense. You are a minority and the Council must consider the well being of all of the citizens.
Your comments about manipulation and control at the meeting you refer to is more nonsense. I was there, spoke, and had to be cut off by Mayor Young who was trying to get more people before the podium, and I was against your position. Had it not been for YLRRR rounding up all their NIMBY friends, there would have been no need for a council meeting that lasted until almost midnight.
High density projects, as you wish to call them, are all over town. It just depends on what you call high density. The approval of the current projects started at the planning department after they looked at all of the issues involved. Millions of dollars were spend on some of these projects even before they were approved by the planning commission. The idiotic moratorium suggested by YLRRR’s sympathizers on the Council, Anderson and Schwing, was completely out of line and would have subjected this city to multiple lawsuits by developers who already had City approval. Anderson and Schwing should be ashamed of themselves for playing politics and being in bed will YLRRR and should be voted from office. They are not representing this City when they continually side with this power hungry bunch.
You do not want affordable housing. For you to throw that out is absurd. You have your piece of the rock in Yorba Linda and stick your nose in the air at the prospect that others might want a chance to buy in this great city. Can your grandchildren afford a house in YL. If not, you can look in the mirror for the reason.
You need to get out more often. There is virtually no land left to develop in this City, save a handful of vacant lots that people are trying to sell and develop. Yorba Linda is fully developed. If you see a horse on one of those miles or horse trails in YL, you might want to take a picture. It will be a rare photo. For you to think that somehow you are going to save this city from overdevelopment and high density housing is a joke. That horse left the barn.
Lindsey and Young are two of the finest YL representatives I have ever seen in this City, and that goes back almost 55 years. Tell YLRRR to get lost and start thinking for yourself.
grannygoodpaint said
Well, Mr. Walker….you are wrong on many fronts. I have lived in Yorba Linda for over 13 years now. I saw the place, loved it and even though homes were over my head I did not cry and whine and wait for someone to build me something affordable. I finally found a small, one bedroom single story condo near the Nixon library. I’m retired now and living on social security and a small pension but still manage to pay my small mortgage. Its the sacrafice you make to get what you want….you DON’T cry until someone gives it to you! Of course, I have to deal with the Brandywine 51 unit eyesore going up across from the Nixon Library…..which, incidentally, does not contain a single affordable unit! Or I can drive up Yorba Linda Blvd. and watch them construct the Tesoro 82 unit monstrosity that also does NOT contain a single affordable unit. Doesn’t bode well for my grandchildren….does it Mr. Walker? Tell you what….I’ll cry and whine for a nice affordable unit in Malibu right near the water’s edge. Think they’ll build me an affordable unit Mr. Walker? What absurd nonsense! You buy where you can AFFORD to buy and you do NOT wait for someone to build it for you! Its always been that way here, in America!
Let’s go back to 1977 Mr. Walker to give Yorba Lindans a taste of what they can expect their city to become. 12 members of my family sold their homes in NJ and headed to Glendale, CA to get away from the cold cold winters. We researched that city and found it to be quite perfect. It had lots of small cottages and main streets lined with mom and pop stores and there was a beautiful view of the Verdugo foothills. Then, the developers moved in. They started buying and tearing down the quaint cottages and building huge condo buildings. They even bought up old apartment houses to build huge ones in their place. They chased off all the mom and pop stores and now 22 story high rise office buildings line the main streets! Now when I visit Glendale, it looks overcrowded, full of traffic, dirty and there is more than one story about crime and drugs coming from there. You see, Mr. Walker….I have experience in just what can happen to a city….and I don’t want it to happen to Yorba Linda no matter what excuse you give me! I don’t attend the council meetings because I don’t drive after dark….BUT I watch them religiously on TV. I know and I see what is going on Mr. Walker, and it ain’t pretty!
I think Yorba Lindans have to decide what they want this city to be because once the developers move in its all over!!!! Vote to get the developer’s pals out! Protect Yorba Linda before its too late!
grannygoodpaint said
Well, Mr. Walker….you are wrong on many fronts. I have lived in Yorba Linda for over 13 years now. I saw the place, loved it and even though homes were over my head I did not cry and whine and wait for someone to build me something affordable. I finally found a small, one bedroom single story condo near the Nixon library. I’m retired now and living on social security and a small pension but still manage to pay my small mortgage. Its the sacrafice you make to get what you want….you DON’T cry until someone gives it to you! Of course, I have to deal with the Brandywine 51 unit eyesore going up across from the Nixon Library…..which, incidentally, does not contain a single affordable unit! Or I can drive up Yorba Linda Blvd. and watch them construct the Tesoro 82 unit monstrosity that also does NOT contain a single affordable unit. Doesn’t bode well for my grandchildren….does it Mr. Walker? Tell you what….I’ll cry and whine for a nice affordable unit in Malibu right near the water’s edge. Think they’ll build me an affordable unit Mr. Walker? What absurd nonsense! You buy where you can AFFORD to buy and you do NOT wait for someone to build it for you! Its always been that way here, in America!
Let’s go back to 1977 Mr. Walker to give Yorba Lindans a taste of what they can expect their city to become. 12 members of my family sold their homes in NJ and headed to Glendale, CA to get away from the cold cold winters. We researched that city and found it to be quite perfect. It had lots of small cottages and main streets lined with mom and pop stores and there was a beautiful view of the Verdugo foothills. Then, the developers moved in. They started buying and tearing down the quaint cottages and building huge condo buildings. They even bought up old apartment houses to build huge ones in their place. They chased off all the mom and pop stores and now 22 story high rise office buildings line the main streets! Now when I visit Glendale, it looks overcrowded, full of traffic, dirty and there is more than one story about crime and drugs coming from there. You see, Mr. Walker….I have experience in just what can happen to a city….and I don’t want it to happen to Yorba Linda no matter what excuse you give me! I don’t attend the council meetings because I don’t drive after dark….BUT I watch them religiously on TV. I know and I see what is going on Mr. Walker, and it ain’t pretty!
I think Yorba Lindans have to decide what they want this city to be because once the developers move in its all over!!!! Vote to get the developer’s pals out! Protect Yorba Linda before its too late!
grannygoodpaint said
Sorry for the double comment….I thought I lost the first one :-)
Patricia Ann Rizzo
“grannygoodpaint”
rhys morgan said
My family moved to Yorba Linda in 1965. I recall those early days when we incorporated in 1967. Herb Warren, our first mayor, lived his whole life on his family’s estate in west YL, Had the Highest character. Our Second Mayor, Roland Bigonger took over the city in 1970 after the city sustained terrible flooding in the winter of 1969. He was the “working man’s” Family Attorney, his voracity never put to question. Way back then the ground rules for Residential (Tract) single family homes, Residential-Estate where if you had a half acre or more, you could have animals. (horses, ducks, cattle, birds, chinchillas, there was even a egg farm on where the EDCO sights is blighting the Richard Nixon Library.
We all came our here so we could grow up, not like city kids, but kids that knew for your mind to grow-you needed to explore, check out oil fields,catch craw-dads in the richfield ditch, and in the early spring take a drive down esperanza road past worlds best hamburger so you can load your sinus cavity with as much of blooming orange flower scent you can.
That scene is gone, replaced by traffic, noise and visual development eyesores. Thanks to the developers. Our past city fathers and voters worked hard to keep us getting annexed by Anaheim. But now, we have these city councilmen who make campaign promises of NO MORE HIGH DENSITY, and turn around and prove that they are
lying and full of bull feces. This is not just a bedroom community, but a once unincorporated town that sat at the end of the Pacific Electric Railroad. Families like my parents came out here to give their lives and careers to support the defense of this nation during the cold war. They wanted to be close to work, yet have a unsoiled environment
to raise their children. If things keep going like Councilman Anderson and his camp of back door slimy handshake money grubbing developers, consultants and political
cronies want to have it their way, we may actually see the white fences of the horse trails coming down, for the horses have all moved away and the increase in auto
traffic requires the trails be given up for another lane of street traffic. I HOPE this does not come true in my lifetime. VOTE YES ON RECALL NO On HI DENSITY.
grannygoodpaint said
You are absolutely right on every point you made except one point. I think you’ve confused Councilman Anderson with members Young, Lindsay and Hernandez. Anderson is for low density.
Michael Cramer said
There is something to be said for preventing the building of high density housing in a neighborhood like Yorba Linda. I’ve only lived here for 20 years but one of the reasons why I chose it was because it was a quaint neighborhood with an heritage of single family dwellings. Yes, there are apartments but they are not the high-rise type that you see in some communities that ultimately reduces the visual quality of that location. Bottom line is that the people of Yorba Linda will speak on the subject during the election process and hopefully the lesson learned will be that politicians who go back on their word will not be in office very long. Let’s send that message throughout the state and the nation.