Hernandez joins past eight-year council member Tom Lindsey as a director. Lindsey was appointed to the body in 2021 and elected to a four-year term in 2022. A former one-term council member, Mike Beverage, served as a director for 24 years beginning in 1992.

Three other former council members, 30-year veteran Hank Wedaa, 20-year member Mark Schwing and eight-year member Barbara Kiley, sought director positions but were defeated by incumbents, Wedaa in 2000, Schwing in 2004 and Kiley in 2018.

And eight-year council member Peggy Huang, who ran for a Congressional seat in 2020 and a Superior Court judgeship in 2022, was one of the three applicants for this year’s open position.

Interestingly, the Hernandez and Lindsey appointments were made to fill seats vacated by the winning candidates in the district’s most contentious election in 2016, when voters removed three incumbents from office, two by lopsided recall votes and a third who lost a fourth term.

Hernandez replaces J. Wayne Miller, who won the full four-year term in 2016, and Lindsey replaced Al Nederhood, who won a two-year term in the recall and resigned after his 2020 election to the county Municipal Water District.

The other recall winner, Brooke Jones, lost his seat in 2022 to Brett Barbre, who had served two years on the local board before his election to the county district in 2000. He also served the local district as assistant general manager and general manager until his 2022 resignation.

Four of the five currently serving directors were appointed to office. In addition to Hernandez and Lindsey, Phil Hawkins was appointed in February 2010 prior to his election in November.

Trudi DesRoches was appointed to office in 2020 because she was one of only two candidates who filed to run for two open seats that year. She is the first woman to serve on the board since the mutual company was founded in 1909 and became a public agency in 1959.

Except for a brief period in 2015-16, when drought restrictions and water pricing led to the recall, district elections were pretty tame. Prior to 2020, eight elections had been cancelled because only the incumbents filed to run (1969, 1979, 1988, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2012 and 2014).

The seats now held by DesRoches and Hernandez are scheduled for the November general election ballot. Term limits don’t apply to board positions, and six of the 24 past directors served more than 20 years.

The directors oversee a district with 25,497 water connections (21,754 in Yorba Linda; 2,543 in Placentia; 330 in Anaheim; 67 in Brea; and 803 in county territory) and 24,699 sewer connections (21,533 in Yorba Linda; 1,218 in Placentia; and 1,948 in county territory).

Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He gives his opinion on local issues weekly. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.

But that attention was not important to Campbell.

“What was big for me was the fact that it was my hometown,” Campbell said. “To be able to be mayor of your hometown, there’s something really special about that. Everybody’s pretty much family and friends to me. And to be able to help people in my community and be mayor of my hometown was the greatest honor.”

Campbell’s family has strong roots in North Orange County, having lived here for more than 35 years. She attended St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Yorba Linda and then Rosary Academy in Fullerton.

She applied to colleges in the spring of 2011 and was accepted at University of Southern California for spring 2012 admission. Taking advantage of the extra time during the summer and fall after high school, Campbell took general education classes at Santiago Canyon College, credits which transferred over to USC.

“I really loved my experience at SCC, and it really set me on a great course for my college career,” she said. “I saved a ton of money and got to stay close to home, too.”

As a sports fan and an athlete, Campbell’s goal was to become a sports journalist. “I got to do that for a little bit, reporting from the sidelines for the football team and the basketball team,” she said. “I really loved that, but I thought I better broaden my journalism experience to something other than sports.”

A summer internship for C-SPAN in Washington, DC, fell through at the last minute, so Campbell scrambled and got another at a bipartisan nonprofit that was trying to get members of Congress to work together.

“We were working on some common sense legislation and thought we were doing all this great work, but then the government shut down. That was in 2013,” she said.

Returning to her hometown she discovered the same gridlock she’d seen in Washington was happening on the local level, too.

“In my hometown of Yorba Linda, our city council was in the midst of a recall. I was like, ‘What is happening in my local hometown? We are a great community.’ I found out that that wasn’t too uncommon for Yorba Linda. We had a number of potential recalls. I realized, ‘OK, if you want to see a change, be part of that change.’”

She decided to get involved and started serving on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission while still in college. She added political science as a major and then went on to get a master’s degree in public administration at USC.

“By going to SCC and getting my GEs done, I was able to start my master’s courses while I was a senior at USC,” she said. “I got my undergrad and master’s at USC in five years.”

She credits Santiago Canyon College for giving her the early boost she needed.

“SCC really set me up for success down the line. It was a huge benefit for me. We have this great institution so close by where you can set your career — not just your education, but your career — in a great trajectory.”

Yorba Linda’s City Council members elect their mayor every year, and Campbell is starting on her eighth year on the council. The job has its challenges and conflicts, she said.

“I’ve tried to lead by example of being a problem solver and being able to engage and talk to everybody and hear all sides so that I can make the best decision for my community,” she explained.

Campbell’s style of leadership has earned the respect of her constituents, even those who don’t agree with her views. And her dedication to Yorba Linda is obvious.

“Yorba Linda is an amazing community because you still have that small-town feel, but you also have all the great amenities. We just built a beautiful, state-of-the-art new public library and cultural art center. We just built a town center. We just built Adventure Playground, which is now year-round.”

Campbell notes with pride that Yorba Linda has a balanced budget and a crime rate far below the average for a U.S. city.

“I might be biased because I’m the mayor, but I think Yorba Linda is a great place to call home, a great place to raise family, and one ranked in the top of the safest cities in California,” Campbell said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that I wanted to come home to this great community and help set it on a great course for generations to come.”

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Dave Obrand

Current Job Title: Deputy County Counsel, Orange County

Political Party Affiliation: Democrat

Incumbent: No

Other political positions held: None

City where you reside: Tustin

Campaign website or social media: www.obrandforassembly.com

Gov. Newsom has been front and center lately in global affairs, from a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing climate action to a trip to Israel where he met with victims of the Hamas attack. Aside from the governor’s trips, what do you see as the role California should play when it comes to foreign affairs?

California is a top-five economy in the world with some of the most innovative industries and companies headquartered in the state. While the difficulties here at home are the primary priority, California has the ability to influence global and national politics. By pursuing priorities of equity, workers’ rights, healthcare and environmental protections, California can set a standard for other states and nations to follow.

This is not a political message — California has not only an ethnically diverse population but because of its population size, California also represents an incredibly diverse political population. That is especially true here in Orange County. With that sort of influence, it is incumbent upon the leadership of California to participate in foreign affairs for the benefit of all Californians and, as a result, of the world. I am proud to have been born and raised in this unique and influential state.

There have been recent efforts at the local level to change voting requirements — from a proposed voter ID requirement in Huntington Beach to an effort to open up voting to noncitizens in Santa Ana. What changes, if any, should be made to California’s voting laws?

I am in favor of greater participation by all eligible voters in California.

That means, first, automatically registering all citizens at age 18 who are not barred from voting. Of course, anyone can opt out of registration or otherwise not utilize the privilege. I also believe strongly that the policies enacted today will affect our youth the most so lowering the voting age to 16, when our high schoolers begin to drive and enter the workforce, is appropriate. They pay taxes; they should have a say in how that money is used. Also, there should be a clear pathway to reinstate voting rights for former felons who have served their time and are now contributing members to our society.

The latest state budget projections show California’s deficit has swelled to a record $68 billion, leading to calls for spending cuts. Give us two specific ways California could address the deficit.

– Ensure the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share of taxes, including imposing a wealth tax on the top 1% who have built fortunes on the work of their employees.- Focus on building our green/clean energy infrastructure to create jobs and boost the economy as well as to make a clean energy transition seamless and ensure those working in traditional fossil fuel industries have a natural transition to similarly good paying jobs when California does transition to clean energy.

Speaking of the budget, what are your top three budget priorities?

– Improve funding for public education and ensure all public schools have adequate resources for students to thrive.- Ensure everyone has adequate healthcare coverage which will not put them into bankruptcy if they are injured or become sick.- Ensure the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share of taxes.

The legislature garnered national headlines when an effort to increase penalties for child sex trafficking initially stalled. How would you, in the legislature, balance criminal justice reform with public safety concerns?

There needs to be a move away from improper incentives for policing and incarceration, primarily eliminating private prisons which prioritize profits over service.

Second, and specifically with regard to policing in our communities, there needs to be a change to how law enforcement agencies report data; it must be made consistent and mandatory across all agencies. Due to the fact that agencies provide data only on a voluntary basis, the best efforts to address both agency and citizen concerns on law enforcement can only be so certain. With mandatory reporting, experts can better assess current issues and propose changes that directly address them.

Lastly, I believe in tremendous transparency and accountability for all public service agencies, but especially for the leadership. I propose community/police oversight boards that review certain misconduct and agency management issues while being mindful of protecting personal information to protect officers against any unnecessary risk.

Homelessness continues to be a concern for Californians. While there is no simple solution, what is one proposal you have that could reduce homelessness in our communities?

I am a big proponent for social housing initiatives that would provide subsidized housing for mixed-income families and individuals. I prefer this approach to traditional affordable housing initiatives that often are only built in already underserved communities and limit the options for people who move into them. Social housing, on the other hand, will provide housing for a wider range of people from different socio-economic backgrounds and should provide a pathway to creating housing options in more communities and provide residents access to more opportunities and services.

The governor recently signed a law that set a first-in-the-nation minimum wage standard for healthcare workers. Should minimum wage standards vary by industry? Why or why not?

Yes, varying industries should have different minimum wage standards. This recognizes the truth that some industries may pose greater risks to workers and that workers in some industries depend on that work for full-time careers versus part-time work. Nonetheless, I believe the minimum wage should be standardized at a minimum to allow a person to afford the costs of daily living and rent for anyone who works 40 hours per week.

What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?

I am focused on building the infrastructure for future energy transition, including building out a sufficient electric grid as the state moves away from fossil fuels. This not only will make the transition to clean and renewable energy more seamless, but it will also create more jobs and bolster the economy.

What is one capital improvement project you’d like to see financed and completed in your district?

I would like to improve public transportation and establish a comprehensive light rail system connecting all parts of Orange and San Bernardino counties to the business hubs in central Orange County and the Chino Valley. With the Santa Ana Streetcar project well underway, it is important to capitalize on the opportunity to expand clean public transportation.

The state recently began rolling out the CARE Court program in some counties, the state-funded effort that allows first responders, family and other designated people to petition a court to have someone with untreated severe psychotic disorders receive treatment and services. What other ways can the state prioritize mental health care for its residents, including those with less severe disorders?

Mental health is severely under-addressed in our current healthcare model. The state must mandate that health insurance cover mental health to the same extent as physical injuries. This includes preventative care wherein medical providers recommend mental health screenings when an issue is suspected.

Similarly, training should be provided to teachers to identify potential mental health disorders in their students for assessment. Teachers should also be trained on strategies to support students who exhibit behaviors consistent with mental health. By identifying and treating mental health early in life, students will be better equipped to thrive after they graduate. Finally, police should be further trained on how to address calls involving people with mental health and funding should be reallocated so that mental health professionals and/or social workers respond to appropriate mental health-related emergency calls so that proper support can be referred and provided.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

Lead with principles. Work hard. Do good.

What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?

Sweet and spicy beef jerky, always.

MORE: Read all the candidate responses in our Voter Guide

Name: Phillip Chen

Current Job Title: State Assemblymember

Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: Walnut Valley Unified School District, Board of Trustees

City where you reside: Yorba Linda

Campaign website or social media: Website: www.phillipchen.org; Social: @PhillipChenCA

Gov. Newsom has been front and center lately in global affairs, from a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing climate action to a trip to Israel where he met with victims of the Hamas attack. Aside from the governor’s trips, what do you see as the role California should play when it comes to foreign affairs?

California is the fifth largest economy in the world. Many global companies choose to do business here, and that is wonderful. However, our state has many problems from the rising cost of living, crime and a budget deficit that deserve our attention. We must place the needs of hardworking Californians first.

There have been recent efforts at the local level to change voting requirements — from a proposed voter ID requirement in Huntington Beach to an effort to open up voting to noncitizens in Santa Ana. What changes, if any, should be made to California’s voting laws?

I support safe and secure elections.

The latest state budget projections show California’s deficit has swelled to a record $68 billion, leading to calls for spending cuts. Give us two specific ways California could address the deficit.

Stop the high-speed rail boondoggle. Audit statewide homelessness spending, and end programs that waste our tax dollars.

Speaking of the budget, what are your top three budget priorities?

– Public safety.- Infrastructure.- Mental health funding.

The legislature garnered national headlines when an effort to increase penalties for child sex trafficking initially stalled. How would you, in the legislature, balance criminal justice reform with public safety concerns?

I was proud to support and help pass into law SB 14 in the legislature to combat child sex trafficking. As a former reserve deputy sheriff, the safety of our communities is my top priority. We need to repeal AB 109, Prop 47 and Prop 57 which have lowered the penalties for criminals and tied the hands of the justice system.

Homelessness continues to be a concern for Californians. While there is no simple solution, what is one proposal you have that could reduce homelessness in our communities?

Mandatory substance abuse and mental health services in addition to housing are needed to combat the homelessness epidemic in our state.

The governor recently signed a law that set a first-in-the-nation minimum wage standard for healthcare workers. Should minimum wage standards vary by industry? Why or why not?

It should be up to the free market to decide.

What is one environment or climate policy you’d champion if elected?

My office is a strong proponent of protecting and expanding our open spaces for current and future generations to enjoy. I am proud to have co-authored legislation to grow and safeguard Chino Hills State Park.

What is one capital improvement project you’d like to see financed and completed in your district?

The 59th Assembly district is a bedroom community and commuter district. My office is proud of our work with Caltrans, OCTA and our local partners to grow our infrastructure to meet future needs along the 55, 57, and 91 freeways and important thoroughfares like Imperial Highway and Carbon Canyon Road.

The state recently began rolling out the CARE Court program in some counties, the state-funded effort that allows first responders, family and other designated people to petition a court to have someone with untreated severe psychotic disorders receive treatment and services. What other ways can the state prioritize mental health care for its residents, including those with less severe disorders?

We need to build on the CARE courts program with mandatory mental health and substance abuse services for homeless individuals.

Describe your political philosophy in 10 words or less.

Hope, opportunity and freedom.

What is your go-to campaign trail snack or drink?

Girl Scouts’ Samoas cookies.

And, unlike some split decisions by the district’s five elected trustees on major matters, such as a ban on teaching critical race theory and the adoption of a parental notification policy, all three have the unanimous support of the trustees.

One, of course, is the opening on Aug. 27 for approximately 600 seventh- and eighth-grade students of a district-affiliated charter school on the Bernardo Yorba Middle School campus.

The Orange County School of Computer Science is considered a “conversion charter school,” and, as such, will provide more opportunities for students than a privately run charter that would operate with a separate administrative staff and little oversight by a publicly elected board.

The district-approved conversion charter will have full access to district-level support on an existing campus with tested and experienced leaders – Principal Beth Fisher and Assistant Principal Rachael Collins.

And important financial matters, such as payments for expenses, will be overseen by knowledgeable school finance personnel answerable to the district’s publicly elected governing board.

A second initiative relates to hiring teachers with more than six years of experience in other districts. Prior to the adoption of this year’s contract with certificated staff, placement on the teacher salary schedule started at the sixth year, even if the teacher had more experience.

Teachers with more than six years of experience were reluctant to join the Placentia-Yorba Linda district because of a sizable loss of pay. For example, last year, a sixth-year teacher with advanced credits earned $82,625, while a 12th-year teacher earned $103,268.

A third initiative involves paying teachers extra for tutoring students after regular school hours to make up for the substantial learning lost because of campus closures due to the pandemic.

In a statement to district stakeholders, Superintendent Alex Cherniss noted that the district “has a number of students who aren’t achieving at grade level” and “addressing this will be one of my primary goals….”

He said some of one-time funding allocated by state and federal governments “should be used to address the ever-increasing learning gaps exacerbated by the pandemic….”

Already for the 2023-24 school year, teachers have been approved to serve as after-school tutors, with several specializing in math intervention, which has been identified as needing catch-up help. New math curriculum and texts are scheduled for purchase and use in 2026-27.

***

All three school board officers for 2024 – President Leandra Blades, Vice President Todd Frazier and Clerk Steve Youngblood – were selected on 3-2 votes, with trustees Marilyn Anderson and Carrie Buck opposed.

Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He gives his opinion on local issues weekly. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.

The dedicated food week will feature deals and prix-fixe menus ranging from $15 to $25 for lunch, and $25 to $45 for dinner, a date-night lineup and even luxury menus offering a more tony experiences for $60 to $120.

New to this year’s lineup include Irvine’s Benny and Mary’s, Bloom Restaurant and Bar in San Juan Capistrano, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar in Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo’s Dizzy Bird and Oliver’s Trattoria in Irvine, to name a few.

This year’s week-long event will also highlight family-friendly dining, which is a great way at getting kids to learn about cuisine and dining out, and vegetarian dining, ideal for those who either eschew a carnivorous lifestyle or yearn for a more vegetable-forward menu.

The annual event is put on by the Orange County Restaurant Association. Diners can find participating restaurants’ menus and prices at www.OCRestaurantWeek.com.

This year’s restaurants are as follows:

1886 Brewing Company – Orange

399 Vietnamese Kitchen – Tustin

Anaheim White House – Anaheim

Angelina’s Pizzeria – Irvine

AnQi Bistro – Costa Mesa

Apola Greek Grill – Yorba Linda

Aria Kitchen – Irvine

AVEO Table + Bar – Dana Point

Avila’s El Ranchito – San Clemente, Santa Ana

Benchmark – Santa Ana

Benny and Mary’s – Irvine

Billy’s at the Beach – Newport Beach

Blaze Pizza – Newport Beach

Bloom, Restaurant + Bar – San Juan Capistrano

Bluegold – Huntington Beach

Bodega Laguna – Laguna Beach

Bottega Angelina – Laguna Niguel

Brio Italian Grille – Irvine

BRU Grill and Market – Lake Forest

Brunos Italian Kitchen – Brea

Cabo Wabo Beach Club – Huntington Beach

Cafe Sevilla Spanish Restaurant and Tapas Bar – Costa Mesa

Cambalache Grill – Fountain Valley

Cappy’s Cafe – Newport Beach

Casa Ramos – Santa Ana

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen – Brea

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen – Irvine

Chapter One: the modern local- Santa Ana

Chelas Mexican Kitchen – San Clemente

Churriño – Costa Mesa

Citrus City Grille – Orange

Citrus Fresh Grill – Aliso Viejo

City Cruises Anchored by Hornblower – Newport Beach

Congregation Ale House – Santa Ana

CUCINA enoteca – Irvine, Newport Beach

CUCINA enoteca – Newport Beach

Descanso – Costa Mesa

Dizzy Bird – Mission Viejo

Eureka! – Irvine

Falasophy – Irvine

Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens- Corona Del Mar

Fermentation Farm – Costa Mesa

Five Crowns – Corona Del Mar

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar – Newport Beach

Fly N Fish Oyster Bar and Grill – Newport Beach

Gracias Madre – Newport Beach

Great Maple – Anaheim

Great Maple – Newport Beach

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken – Santa Ana

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – (Huntington Beach, Tustin)

Haagen-Dazs – Irvine

Habana – Costa Mesa, Irvine

Hammer Burger – Santa Ana

Harborside Restaurant – Newport Beach

Hatam Restaurant – Mission Viejo

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar – Orange

Henry’s Coastal Cuisine – Huntington Beach

High Horse Saloon – Fullerton

HoléSmokes – Costa Mesa

Il Fornaio – Irvine

Il Sole La Nuova Cucina – RSM

Indigo | Modern Indian Bistro – Huntington Beach

Ironwood, Cellar. Craft. Cook. – Laguna Hills

Izakaya Osen – Irvine

JA Jiaozi Authentic Dumplings- Irvine

Jars Sweets & Things – Laguna Niguel

Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen- Fullerton

Le Shrimp Noodle Bar – Costa Mesa

Left Coast Brewing – Irvine

Lido Bottle Works – Newport Beach

Lighthouse Cafe – Newport Beach

Little Sister – Irvine

Lola Gaspar – Santa Ana

Luciana’s Ristorante – Dana Point

Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que- Brea, Lake Forest, Orange, Tustin)

Lumberyard Restaurant – Laguna Beach

Luna Rossa – Tustin

Maldon’s Bistro – Irvine

Market Broiler – Huntington Beach, Orange

Mayor’s Table at Lido House – Newport Beach

MESA – Costa Mesa

Mickey’s Irish Pub – Fullerton

Morton’s The Steakhouse – Santa Ana

Mozambique – Laguna Beach

Mr. D’s – Placentia

Muldoon’s Irish Pub – Newport Beach

Native Son – Santa Ana

Newport Landing – Newport Beach

NOVA Kitchen and Bar – Garden Grove

O Fine Japanese Cuisine – Irvine, Laguna Beach

O SEA – Orange

Oak – Laguna Beach

OC Fish Grill – Irvine

Offshore 9 Rooftop Lounge – Huntington Beach

Olea, Cellar. Craft. Cook. – Newport Beach

Oliver’s Osteria – Laguna Beach

Oliver’s Trattoria – Irvine

Pacific Catch – Tustin

Pacitas Modern Filipino Kitchen – Anaheim

Paradise Dynasty – Costa Mesa

Paul Martin’s American Grill– Irvine

Perla Mexican Cuisine – Santa Ana

Pieology The Market Place – Irvine

Pita Feast – Huntington Beach

Playa Mesa – Costa Mesa

Plums Cafe – Costa Mesa

Pressed – Newport Beach

Prime Cut Cafe – Orange

Pub Thirty-Two – Mission Viejo

Puesto – Anaheim

Puesto Los Olivos – Irvine

Puesto Park Place – Irvine

RA Sushi – Tustin

RAKKAN Ramen – Tustin

Rancho Capistrano Winery – SJC

Rangeen Kitchen – Laguna Niguel

Red O Restaurant – Newport Beach

Robata Wasa – Irvine

Rockin Baja Lobster – Newport Beach

Romano’s Macaroni Grill – Irvine

Rub Red’s BBQ – La Habra

Rumari – Laguna Beach

Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook. – Laguna Beach

Scratch Bakery Cafe – Laguna Hills, Scratch Bakery Cafe

SideDoor – Corona Del Mar

Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar- Costa Mesa

Simply Fish – Costa Mesa

Skyloft – Laguna Beach

Starfish – Newport Beach, Laguna Beach

StillWater Spirits & Sounds- Dana Point

Summit House Restaurant – Fullerton

Sundried Tomato American Bistro & Catering – SJC

Sweetgreen – Irvine, Tustin

Taco Rosa – Irvine, Newport Beach

TACOMPADRE – Santa Ana

Tacos TJ Style – Santa Ana

Tangerine Room – Anaheim

Taste of Beauty – Fountain Valley

Tea Maru – Irvine, Santa Ana

The Bungalow Restaurant – Corona Del Mar

The Country Club – Costa Mesa

The Crack Shack – Costa Mesa

The Peel Craftbar & Kitchen – Orange

The Pizza Press – Santa Ana

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar – Tustin

The Yellow Chilli Tustin – Tustin

Thirty Four Bar & Bistro – Irvine

Vacation Bar – Santa Ana

Villa Roma – Laguna Hills

Vine Restaurant & Bar – San Clemente

Whitestone Restaurant & Bar – Dana Point

Wild Goose Tavern – Costa Mesa

Woody’s Wharf – Newport Beach

Ysidora Restaurant and Lounge – SJC

Zabb Thai Cuisine – Newport Beach

ZOOD – Newport Beach

The City Council on Tuesday night decided to make an appointment to fill the seat left open when longtime member Gene Hernandez submitted his resignation last week. He has been appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Yorba Linda Water District.

The council had the option to leave the seat open until the next general election or hold a special election.

The person the council chooses will fill the remaining months of Hernandez’s term, which is up in December. In November, the seat will appear on the ballot.

Interested residents need to submit their applications by 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 6. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of California and a resident of Yorba Linda, and a registered voter in California.

There is an application online to fill out and those interested should also submit a resume and a letter of a interest including “a statement of qualification and reasons for wanting to serve on the City Council,” officials said. See complete instructions at yorbalindaca.gov.

Councilmembers are scheduled to interview applicants on Feb. 13 and have until March 11 to make an appointment.

The opportunity presented itself “out of the blue,” the former three-time mayor said on Monday, a day before his council colleagues are expected to discuss on Tuesday, Jan. 16, the new vacancy and how they will fill it.

Hernandez came onto the council in 2012 and would be termed out in November. He said his next step would have been to campaign for a spot on the Yorba Linda Water District’s board of directors.

“As luck would have it, a director submitted his resignation,” Hernandez said, adding he saw it as an opportunity to apply for the resulting appointment. “This was a very hurry-up and fill it within 30 days thing. It wasn’t my intention to resign before my term was up, but the opportunity presented itself, and I couldn’t pass it up.”

Hernandez was appointed to the water board on Jan. 4, and submitted his resignation on Jan. 11, the same day he attended his first water board meeting. He will hold the water board seat until November, at which time the seat will appear on the ballot.

“We thank Gene for his many years of service on the Yorba Linda City Council,” Mayor Tara Campbell said in a statement. “Having been elected to the Yorba Linda City Council three times, Gene’s leadership included serving as mayor in 2015, 2018 and 2023 and representing Yorba Linda on several local and regional agencies, including the Orange County Transportation Authority and Orange County Fire Authority.”

Hernandez served in law enforcement for 34 years, starting with the Fullerton Police Department and then the Orange Police Department, where he rose to the rank of a captain. He then served as chief of police in Chino before retiring.

But he said he has always been interested in water, becoming involved with the Rotary Club and going on missions to build wells in Africa, Mexico and India. He got involved with Water Education For Latino Leaders, recognizing, he said, that each area has different water concerns as he traveled up and down the California coast looking at issues.

“What was clear was that water is a scarce resource and will become the No. 1 issue,” he said. “We need to pay attention to how we get water and the degree of commitment we have made to it in our infrastructure.”

While on the council, Hernandez, once also chair of the OCFA board, was instrumental in helping get two reservoirs that give firefighters quicker access to water installed in the city. The reservoirs allow helicopters battling blazes to refill their tanks in minutes while fighting fires. Yorba Linda was among the first cities in the county with the tanks.

And he is proud of helping Yorba Linda develop from a rural community into a destination sought out by visitors, he said. “When I came on in 2012, the previous council was holding the line and wanted to put a bubble over Yorba Linda while the rest of the county was moving forward.”

He was part of the council that helped complete the Town Center, an area of vacant lots and dirt plots at Yorba Linda Boulevard between Imperial Highway and Lakeview Avenue, that had been idle for two decades. The area now, he said, has become vibrant with shops and restaurants. Nearby is the new Yorba Linda Public Library and adjacent cultural center and a four-level parking structure.

Hernandez has been a city resident for more than 37 years.

On Tuesday, the council will decide whether to appoint someone to fill the new vacancy until November or hold a special election. It could also choose to leave the seat vacant. It would have 60 days, or until March 11, to make an appointment.

But fortunately for city taxpayers, there is no federal requirement that mandates removal of barriers to persons with disabilities on a specific timeline, and there are many exceptions to completing barrier-removal projects, including concerns related to cost and feasibility.

The American with Disabilities Act, passed by Congress in 1990, has several provisions that involve access to the many programs and services provided by state and local governments.

Yorba Linda’s City Council recently adopted a citywide transition plan required by the act, which will allow the city to remain eligible for various federal funding programs, according to a report prepared by Rick Yee, the city’s acting public works director.

The transition plan was developed by Burbank-based Sally Swanson Architects, and a 24-page portion of the plan identifies physical obstacles in city public rights-of-way which limit access by individuals with disabilities.

A survey of 43 city facilities found some 2,015 different accessibility related barriers. The plan estimated the financial cost to mitigate the barriers to be approximately $10.6 million.

Surveys also involved sidewalks, curb ramps and pedestrian signals, which also included other standards, such as state building codes and federal transportation requirements, in addition to the Americans with Disabilities Act provisions.

Some 254 sidewalk miles were surveyed, with 81.5 miles found compliant, and the cost to mitigate barriers estimated at $409 million. Of 4,229 curb ramps surveyed, six were found compliant, with mitigation estimated at $21.5 million. None of 417 pedestrian signals were found compliant, with an estimated $3.1 million cost to mitigate.

According to Yee’s report, the city has been spending about $1 million annually on sidewalk, curb ramp and minor facility upgrades, along with including a budget for accommodations in major capital projects.

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Enrollment applications are now available on the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District website for the Orange County School of Computer Science charter school to open in August for seventh and eighth grade students on the Bernardo Yorba Middle School campus.

And despite a 5-0 denial vote by Placentia-Yorba Linda trustees, the California Republic Leadership Academy Yorba Linda charter was approved for a site to be determined on a 3-0 vote by the Orange County Board of Education.

Placentia-Yorba Linda officials had opposed the board’s action at a prior public hearing.

The academy has asked parents to sign a document indicating they are “meaningfully interested” in enrolling students so the charter can seek “reasonably equivalent school facilities” from the district under state law.

Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He gives his opinion on local issues weekly. Send e-mail to jimdrummond@hotmail.com.

National Junior Honor Society students at Heritage Oak Private Education in Yorba Linda recently donated 700 pounds of food for Canning Hunger.

The national organization is dedicated to collecting and distributing nonperishable food items to community members experiencing food insecurity.

Students held a food drive to benefit the nonprofit, which will help feed thousands of community members in need. Through this initiative, students learned the importance of giving back to others in their community.

– Submitted by Heritage Oak Private Education

OC Supervisor Doug Chaffee announces honorees of the Fourth District Kindness Awards

Orange County Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee announced the fifth annual Fourth District Kindness Awards honorees during a ceremony at the Ehlers Event Center in Buena Park. The Kindness Awards ceremony is hosted annually on Nov. 13, which is internationally observed as World Kindness Day.

Chaffee recognized honorees from each city in the district. They were chosen for making significant contributions to their communities through kindness.

“It is especially important for us to acknowledge and appreciate kindness wherever we can find it,” Chaffee said. “Our Kindness Awards honorees have risen to the challenge and have gone beyond that to ensure the needs of our communities are met.”

The honorees for the fifth annual Fourth District Kindness Awards are:

City of Anaheim: Rosa Dominguez

City of Brea: Gianna Mulkay

City of Buena Park: Ellie Westenhaver

City of Fullerton: Sandra White

City of La Habra: Sara Ursenbach

City of Placentia: Joe Rasic

City of Stanton: Lorena Flores

Chaffee also awarded the Honorary Kindness Award to Jo-Anne Matsuba, chair of the Orange County Human Relations Commission.

– Submitted by the office of Supervisor Doug Chaffee

OC firefighters partner with Hoag and Grail for cancer screening event

The Orange County Professional Firefighters Association Local 3631 partnered with Hoag and Grail for a cancer screening event. The partnership with the hospital and the health care company offered county firefighters access to a blood test that can detect a signal shared by more than 50 cancer types with a single blood draw. More than 200 firefighters participated in the two-day event.

While firefighters face an increased risk for cancer overall due to elevated carcinogen exposure on the job, their risks are significantly higher for specific types of cancer. For example, male firefighters’ risk of testicular cancer and mesothelioma is double that of the general population, according to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network. Female firefighters also have an increased risk of developing certain cancers, including cervical cancer, thyroid cancer and breast cancer.

“We are in the midst of an epidemic for our firefighters,” said OC Firefighters Local 3631 President Chris Hamm. “Every day, our members face new and unknown risks as we protect our communities.”

“Being a firefighter in an all-risk department like OCFA means we have a higher exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogens that have a lifelong impact on our bodies and health,” said Fire Captain Matthew Berger.

The Orange County Professional Firefighters Association Local 3631 represents more than 1,200 professional firefighters serving nearly 1.8 million residents in 23 cities and numerous unincorporated communities throughout Orange County.

– Submitted by Orange County Professional Firefighters Association Local 3631

Newport Beach senior living community honors exceptional employee

Atria Newport Beach honored cook Marizela Gallegos as a recipient of the 2023 Exceptional Service Award (ESA).

Distributed annually, the ESA recognizes employees who embody and surpass Atria’s standard of service to residents and their communities. Those selected for the award receive a financial bonus and a celebration in their honor.

Gallegos has worked at Atria Newport Beach for four years.

“Mary’s dedication to serving our residents is never lacking,” Senior Executive Director Brian Keys said. “She regularly interacts with residents in the dining room, bringing them meaningful conversation and warmth. Mary is attentive to both our residents’ dietary needs and unique likes and anticipates what treats they may enjoy for the day.”

The Exceptional Service Award is the highest employee honor at Atria.

– Submitted by Atria Senior Living

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.