Our Picks in Local Races

Some people refer to this as an “off” year in elections, meaning that there are no presidential primaries to attract voters. But it’s anything but an off year for the Orange County ballot, with enough important and controversial local races and issues to make it interesting for voters and poll watchers.

In recent weeks we have commented on selected races and the two local measures before county residents on Tuesday’s ballot. The following is a brief recap of the recommendations we have made and our reasons for them.

The two most visible contests are Measure W, which seeks to bar any planned airport use at the former Marine Corps airfield at El Toro and rezone the area for park and other nonaviation use, and the race between incumbent Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas and Wally Wade, an assistant district attorney seeking to unseat him.

On Measure W, The Times is recommending a “no” vote. While the current airport plan is deeply flawed, we believe it is important to the region to preserve some future aviation option for El Toro.

The other countywide issue before voters is Measure V, which seeks to make Orange County a charter county solely to change the way vacancies are filled on the Board of Supervisors.

We see it more as a political maneuver aimed at keeping Democratic Gov. Gray Davis from appointing a replacement, possibly a Democrat, to fill the 3rd District seat of Supervisor Todd Spitzer, should he, as expected, win election to the Assembly. Voters should reject the end run around the more basic question of whether or not Orange County should be a charter county, and what provisions a charter should contain.

In the district attorney contest, we urge Wade’s election. Based on his performance in his first three years in office, Rackauckas has lost the support of the Assn. of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys, which for the first time is not supporting its incumbent boss. This switch to Wade highlights a growing lack of confidence in the way Rackauckas is running the office. His term has been plagued by persistent questions about whether his many political associations make it difficult for him to do his job objectively.

Wade, a 21-year veteran prosecutor, is well-qualified and respected and should be elected.

Another critical and prominent race on the county level has Chris Norby, the veteran city councilman from Fullerton, challenging 4th District Supervisor Cynthia P. Coad. Norby has broad experience and is much better suited than Coad for the regional leadership of board service. The board needs someone to stir the pot on a range of issues and Norby can provide the questioning, thoughtful and independent leadership that is so badly needed.

There are other races for county posts that involve well-qualified candidates worthy of voter support. Tom Daly, mayor of Anaheim, is one of five people seeking the vacant clerk-recorder’s office. He is the most qualified and best able to provide the professionalism and leadership needed to continue the office’s efficient operation.

The same is true of Vicki Landrus, who now serves as assistant public administrator. She is by far the most qualified of the four people seeking to replace the incumbent public administrator, William Baker, who is not running for reelection. Landrus is a 20-year veteran of county government who has Baker’s endorsement and the proven ability and experience to take over direction of services the office provides.

We also endorse the reelection of County Assessor Webster J. Guillory. The management and technical skills he has demonstrated in his first term have earned him reelection.

In the county Board of Education contests, incumbents Del Clark in Area 2 and Elizabeth “Liz” Dorn Parker in Area 5 are the most qualified.

Clark, an appointed incumbent and experienced local school board member, has worked well with the county board and understands its role in providing services to local districts.

Parker, running for her sixth term, is one of the most experienced and able school board members in the county and has distinguished herself as an educational leader, not only on the local level but statewide.

A judicial race is generally one of the lowest-profile contests, with few voters familiar with any of the candidates. Eleven candidates are seeking to replace four retiring judges.

Four candidates stand out from the field and have the legal knowledge, judgment, temperament and other qualities that make them best-qualified. We support the election of Kimberly Menninger for Office No. 3, Lance Jensen for Office No. 8, Kelly Mac Eachern for Office No. 22 and Glenda Sanders for Office No. 27.

The outcome of Tuesday’s balloting can have considerable impact on county land use and structure, education and the legal system. That’s why we have made the above ballot recommendations.

And that’s why it’s important for residents to study the candidates and issues--and vote Tuesday, rather than sitting on the sidelines and letting others decide the future for them.