Stanton Ballot Still ‘Fair,’ Says Candidate

A Stanton City Council candidate Tuesday characterized a judge’s order deleting about 30% of his statement in the city’s voter pamphlet as a “victory” that will not hurt his campaign.

“Only three of my nine major points were removed,” Kevin F. Carr said. “It was more than fair. My opponents lost big time.”

His comments came one day after Orange County Superior Court Judge David A. Thompson ordered the material removed following a legal challenge by Stanton Mayor Brian Donahue and council members David Shawver and Harry Dotson. When Thompson’s ruling was issued Monday, Shawver also claimed victory.

The incumbent councilmen and Carr, an Internet marketing developer, are competing for three open seats in the Nov. 5 election.

Among the statements ordered deleted were a negative comment regarding the city’s utility tax and a sentence contending that “our city has been mismanaged so badly for so many years that the entire city is now a rehabilitation zone and some are proud of that fact.”

The judge let stand, however, several statements, including one claiming that Stanton’s unemployment rate is one of the highest in the nation, that businesses within its boundaries are closing and that “we can’t fix a problem if we won’t admit there is one.”

Carr said Tuesday that he could live with the changes. “It’s not going to hurt me,” he said. “The things that were taken out, the residents already know. This was a victory for me.”