SEAL BEACH : Changes Ordered in Ballot Statements

A Superior Court commissioner Tuesday ordered changes in both sides’ ballot arguments for a June election that will determine the fate of the Hellman Ranch property.

Commissioner Greer H. Stroud issued line-by-line changes to arguments and rebuttals filed by proponents and opponents of two Hellman Ranch-related measures scheduled for the June 4 election, clearing the way for city officials to print sample election ballots.

The decision ends weeks of heated legal wrangling over arguments filed for and against Measure A-91 and Measure B-91. The city clerk alleged that proponents and opponents of both measures made statements in the arguments that would have misled voters.

Measure A-91 would clear the way for Mola Development Corp. to proceed with its $200-million plan to build homes on the Hellman Ranch property. Measure B-91, applicable only if Measure A-91 fails, would advise the council on what residents would like to see built on the property.

City Clerk Joanne M. Yeo legally challenged arguments on both measures last month, saying that some of the statements could be construed as misleading the public. Also, some of the arguments used names of individuals and corporations without their consent, a violation of the state Elections Code, according to Yeo’s attorney.

After Yeo filed suit, three other lawsuits were filed, with both sides challenging statements made by opponents. Attorneys for Yeo, the council majority and other signers of ballot arguments spent three days in court, negotiating and arguing their cases.

“The court made changes in all the arguments, so it’s obvious each side got something out of it,” said Darryl R. Wold, attorney for Mayor Edna Wilson and Councilman Joe Hunt, who support Measure A-91 and oppose B-91.

The changes ordered by the court primarily consisted of minor wording, such as replacing will with may and would with could to soften arguments.

“I’m pretty pleased” with Stroud’s ruling, said Eileen Padberg, a consultant for Seal Beach Citizens for Parks, Open Space and Responsible Government, which supports Measure A-91 and opposes B-91.

Stroud “allowed us to say that B-91 will cost the city a lot of money, that Hellman Ranch will have to be bought at fair-market value and allowed us to retain the argument saying it would threaten Gum Grove Park and wetlands,” she said.

“I’m very pleased. My clients are very pleased,” said Thomas J. Feeley, attorney for council members Frank Laszlo, Gwen Forsythe and Marilyn Bruce Hastings, who oppose A-91 and support B-91. “Essentially, the only amendments made to our arguments are the ones we had already agreed to.”