Coyotes, Library and Water Key Issues in 6-Candidate Council Race

Coyote control has become a major issue in the campaign for two open seats on the City Council.

Residents packed a council meeting last month to tell officials that they have lost pets to coyotes and to demand government action, saying that attacks on young children might be next.

One council candidate, retired Marine Lt. Col. William A. Dougherty, was among the speakers at the Sept. 24 session. Dougherty noted that the county Board of Supervisors has spent large amounts in legal fees related to the county’s bankruptcy.

“Why can’t that Board of Supervisors give us money to control [the coyotes]?” he asked.

Three other candidates--Thomas E. White, David A. Edson and William E. Baker--also have been outspoken on the situation.

“Whoever gets elected has to start leaning on people to force [a solution] to this particular issue,” Edson said.

Said White: “The coyote problem is similar to a rat problem. If you keep eliminating them, they don’t come back.”

Baker said he does not want “indiscriminate and uncontrolled killing of coyotes” but favors “selective capturing, fear-instilling techniques and public education.”

Another issue emphasized by several candidates, including contenders Richard A. Freschi and Patricia L. Bortle, is preserving the city’s library branch. County budget cuts have forced reduction in library operations, which the city is subsidizing.

Another concern is maintaining the Serrano Water District under control of a board of Villa Park residents. A bill proposed by the Legislature this year would have merged the district with others.

No incumbents are on the Nov. 5 ballot. Councilman John Frackelton is completing his second term and cannot run for reelection under city term limits. Councilman Bob Patchin is retiring after completing one term.

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Seeking Seats in Villa Park

Six candidates are running for two open seats on the Villa Park City Council. A quick glance at the contenders:

William E. Baker

Age: 47

Occupation: Attorney

Background: Chairman of Friends of the Villa Park Library; vice chairman of Villa Park Community Access Television Corp.; charter member of Villa Park Rotary Club

Major issues: Continued preservation of the library branch; opposition to forced water-district merger; controlling coyotes

Patricia L. Bortle

Age: 60

Occupation: Administrative assistant in an accounting firm

Background: Villa Park High School Community Service Award; Friends of KOCE; docent at Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace; member of Orange County Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary

Major issues: Preservation of library branch; guarding city’s budget to maintain “financial stability”

William A. Dougherty

Age: 72

Occupation: Retired Marine lieutenant colonel

Background: Eight years on the Republican Central Committee

Major issues: Solving coyote problem; maintaining an independent water district; “keeping Villa Park as it is”

David A. Edson

Age: 66

Occupation: Semi-retired mechanical engineer

Background: Charter member of Villa Park Rotary Club; did a voluntary engineering study of overhead power lines in the city

Major issues: “Aggressive action” to control coyotes; protect the water district

Richard A. Freschi

Age: 59

Occupation: Retired business executive

Background: Chairman of city’s Fiscal Advisory Committee; current member of Orange Unified School District’s Fiscal Advisory Committee

Major issues: Low-cost, quality fire protection; low-cost and abundant water supply; preservation of library branch; fiscally responsible maintenance of infrastructure

Thomas E. White

Age: 46

Occupation: Mortgage banking executive

Background: Past president of Villa Park Little League and Villa Park High’s Football Boosters; booster of Villa Park High girls’ basketball and boys’ baseball

Major issues: Preserve city’s library branch; “either displace or destroy” coyotes to solve the problem

Source: Individual candidates; Researched by BILL BILLITER / For The Times