“I’m outta here. Time for some new blood.”

Yesterday was the deadline for filing to run for office in the November election… UNLESS the incumbent in that seat does NOT file – in that case you have till this Wednesday. This happens every year. A lotta people may be reluctant to run against an incumbent as that’s generally a big advantage. But then, with no incumbent? Well, maybe.

Don’t make me regret this – but here are the races (starting with boards & commissions) that do not have an incumbent running and MAYBE YOU suddenly think you can do that job, win that race! Serious people only please. Or else don’t say you heard this here.

SCHOOL BOARDS

North OC College District, Area 3 – Steve Blount is out. You mean, he WON last time? I’ve known this perennial guy for decades. “You can count on Blount” was his stirring battle-cry. It looks like he decided to run for Cypress School Board instead this year. But if you jump in, it’s not clear sailing, there are already 3 other candidates in the race:

• Staff Specialist/Businessman Paul Gonzales,
• Education Policy Advisor Chloe Serrano, and
• business owner Larry Andre.

Coast Community College District, Area 1 – Here it’s longtime Democrat stalwart Jim Moreno who is finally hanging up his whatever (personal note he named me Democrat Volunteer of the Year back in 2008! Back before everyone hated me.) Here again you would be running against three others at least:

• Officer Administrator Ashton Kauwe,
• Joe Kalmick (no ballot designation but he is the octogenarian, termed-out Seal Beach Councilman and Democrat, must be older than Jim even)
• and one Robert Espinoza.

South OC Community College District, Area 4 – Here it’s one Terri Whitt calling it quits, and again three suitors for the post:

• College Dean / Educator Narges Rakin,
• College Administrator / Educator Karima Feldhus, and
• Military Officer / Educator John Black.

Now for one of those VISCERAL school boards – one that goes back and forth from MAGA/Charter extremism to sanity every few years. Like Orange USD, like Placentia / Yorba Linda USD, both of which have just recovered from MAGA boards (and will hopefully stay sane) – but this one is CURRENTLY in crisis, held by wackos, I’m talking about

CAPO (Capistrano) USD.

THREE incumbents are hanging it up here:

Area 4 – The solid, stolid Gary Pritchard who I remember backing during the revolutionary 2010 recall has, 16 years later, had enough. Marco Carralero, a “parent and businessowner” is vying to take his place. Must find out more about this Carralero. Perhaps if you live there and have some good ideas you should run against him!

Area 6 – South County liberal icon Gila Jones is out, will have to look into why. Two have filed to take her place: parent / educator Mandy Bourne and businessperson / education advocate Jeanna Emmons.

The sane side has lost Gary and Gila… but then…

Area 7 – Rightwinger Judy Bullockus is leaving, the lady who achieved unwanted fame by using the “N-word” in a board meeting while discussing a sequel to Huck Finn – and I woulda kinda stick up for her, as that word IS repeatedly in the book and the name of a main character, except when you hear her say it, it just rolls off her tongue so easily. Anyway she’s got two vying to take her place, and ONE of em we know is awful thanks to Pearlman’s expose: Linda Shepard who needs to be defeated; and youth sports director Ron Ruef who can maybe do it? Or maybe YOU can if you live there!

More School Board Openings

Garden Grove USD, Area 4 – John Hardin is on his way out, and 3 Viet-Americans are vying to take his place:

• The celebrated Tracy La of Vietrise;
• small businessowner / parent John Giang Nguyen;
• and attorney / educational coach Quan Vuong.
• That would really piss of Matt Cunningham if Tracy won. You could run too. If you have enough money you could pay Matt a few thousand to write hit pieces on not just Tracy but the other two as well.

Laguna Beach USD – looks like they run at large; one incumbent is dropping out (James Kelly) two are running for re-election (Dee Perry & Joan Malczewski, three others are trying to get on the Board, and long story short you can too, if you live there and have the inclination.

Los Alamitos USD, Area 1 – Damn, Marlys Davidson is calling it quits. And wow, community volunteer Ann Mulhearn wants the seat. But it’s up for grabs till Wednesday!

Newport-Mesa USD, Area 7. With the departure of Ashley Anderson, YOU TOO could be a colleague of “Flair Play’s” fabled Andrea McElroy. But FIRST you would have to beat code officer Andy Godinez AND Spanish teacher / businesswoman Grace Danino Hickok. WILD Grace Hickok. Got it in you?

Saddleback Valley USD, Area 5 – Barbara Schulman is out, and both community volunteer Kris Spowart and educator/counselor Edgar Montes both want the seat… but why should it not be yours???

Cypress School District, Area B – Troy Tanaka is out, and look who wants the seat: Jon Peat, longtime Cypress insider and husband of Councilwoman Bonnie Peat, who always used to yell at Frances Marquez! And also Jack Torrosian, somebody’s father. Hey, YOU could maybe do it!

Cypress School District, Area D – Check it out. Non-profit executive /educator Jeanette James has this race all to herself, what with the departure of Lydia Sondhi. Maybe Jeanette needs company in the race!

Fountain Valley School District – another “at-large.” My old friend Phu Nguyen is dropping out? And Sandra Crandall as well? But Dennis Cole (of Jaguars for Jesus infamy) is going for re-election. And Marcus Lee, math teacher Carl Blankenhorn, and principal Rick Nichols are all trying to get their foot in the door. WHY NOT YOU???

Fullerton School District, Area 3 – Healthcare advocate Jordan Abushawish and foundation boardmember Amy Choi-Won are rushing to fill the great void left by departing Beverly Berryman – but who knows, filling that void could be right in YOUR wheelhouse!

Vacancies in OTHER Boards & Commissions

I gotta go see a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band at Pearson Park right now, maybe I’ll finish this later but it seems of diminishing interest. I hope the above was helpful at least. Lots more coming on WHO IS RUNNING this fall. In more newsworthy races.

• Rossmoor Community Services District
• Surfside Colony Community Services District
• Three Arch Bay Community Services District, Short Term
• Three Arch Bay Community Services District, Full Term
• Serrano Water District, Division 4
• Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District, Short Term
• Silverado-Modjeska Recreation and Park District, Full Term
• Moulton Niguel Water District, Full Term
• Moulton Niguel Water District, Short Term
• Buena Park Library District, Division 3
• Placentia Library District, Division 1, Short Term