BREA : Councilman Wedin Won’t Run Again

Councilman Wayne D. Wedin has announced that he will not seek reelection in November, but gave no indication that his retirement from city office has anything to do with an ongoing conflict-of-interest investigation.

“With the support of the voters of Brea, I have been able to make a visible and lasting contribution right here in my hometown,” Wedin said in a written statement. “I believe, however, that it is now time to move ahead and give others a chance to contribute to the betterment of our community.”

Wedin’s statement made no reference to the investigation by the Orange County district attorney’s office into allegations of conflict of interest related to his attempt to have Keith Cos. of Costa Mesa handle a city study of development issues in Tonner Canyon. The matter is still under investigation.

Wedin, 52, was elected to the City Council in 1988 after serving as city manager from 1968 to 1983. He served as the city’s mayor from December, 1990, to December, 1991.

Current Mayor Ronald E. Isles has not picked up the papers he must file to run for reelection to the council, though he said in May that he planned to seek another term.

Isles recently pleaded not guilty to 21 criminal misdemeanor charges that he violated state conflict-of-interest laws and failed to disclose millions of dollars in loans and other financial interests.

Eight Brea residents have picked up the papers they need to file by Aug. 12 to run for the council in November.

They are Lou Knappenberger, a member of the Brea police reserves; Chris Terrance Jr., a member of the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission; Bev Perry, also on the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Commission; Harold Ivy, member of the Cultural Arts Commission; Bill Vega, member of the Brea Small Business Coalition; Dennis Dean, also on the Small Business Coalition; Sal Gambina, a former Brea mayor who served on the council from 1978 to 1982, and Lee Jordan.