Fullerton : Voter Wants Answer to Redevelopment Query

Jean Askham wants information about the city’s Redevelopment Agency in order to make a choice on whom she will vote for in the upcoming City Council elections.

Candidates’ campaign literature has been arriving in Askham’s mail almost daily and she is confused about the biggest issue being addressed: the Redevelopment Agency.

“I think redevelopment is such a complex issue and it’s being distorted by campaign statements. So it’s hard for a citizen to know whether the Redevelopment Agency is good or bad,” said Askham, 69, a 12-year Fullerton resident.

At a City Council meeting earlier this week, Askham asked the city to put together a fact sheet, explaining what the agency is, how it operates and how its money is spent.

Eighteen candidates are running in a special October recall election and 15 are running in the November general election. The elections have many residents confused, and learning how the candidates stand on issues is a difficult task, Askham said.

The Fullerton Recalls Committee successfully recalled the mayor and two council members.

“I want some simple explanation about how the Redevelopment Agency works and how the city has used redevelopment money so I will be able to judge for myself whether it’s good or bad,” she said.

She suggested that the city provide an information leaflet on the Redevelopment Agency for residents to pick up at the library.

City officials haven’t responded to Askham’s proposal, she said.

But Councilman Chris Norby said he would prefer calling a special meeting for residents to attend to ask questions about the agency.