Charges won’t affect candidacy, Thomas says

Kenneth Ma

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Despite facing 33 felony counts of dumping dredge

or compost into a portion of the Bolsa Chica wetlands, former Councilman

John A. Thomas said he believes he has a good chance of winning a City

Council seat in the November election because of his experience both as a

politician and a businessman.

I will “represent the public at-large, and I am there for the people,

not special interest groups,” said Thomas, who served on the council from

1978 to 1986. “I don’t see why [the charges] should affect my candidacy

because you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.”

Last month, the 60-year-old resident who runs an oil drilling

operation on a 56-acre property bordered by Edwards and Seapoint streets

and Garfield Avenue, took out nomination papers for the council race.

There are three council seats up for grabs in the fall.

But unlike other candidates, Thomas’ record will be judged by an

Orange County Superior Court, as well as voters.

In June, Thomas was charged with allowing dump trucks onto his

business to deposit chipper waste and fill dirt totaling 38,000 cubic

yards over 13.5 acres. The property is leased from Hearthside Homes.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Scott Zidbeck said the dumping killed vegetation in

small pockets of wetlands divided by roads, which are known as cells. In

addition, Thomas is also charged with a felony count for dumping oil into

national waters and a misdemeanor for altering a stream bed.

Aside from the felony charges, Thomas also faces 19 misdemeanor

charges brought against him earlier this year for an oil spill that

killed 14 birds.

A motion has been filed to object to the charges, with a hearing set

for Sept. 18 at Westminster court, said Julian Bailey, Thomas’ lawyer.

PUBLIC RESPONSEEven with the charges, many people say Thomas has

every right to run for office and that he is innocent until proved

guilty.

“He has a right to run for office if he wants to as long as the voter

electorate is willing to listen to what he has to say,” said Zidbeck, who

is prosecuting Thomas’ case.

Bailey agrees.

“It is his constitutional right to run for office, and I don’t think

these charges against him make a difference,” Bailey said. “It is up to

the voters to decide who they want on their City Council.”

Bailey said Thomas’ campaign will allow more residents to learn about

the oil business in Huntington Beach.

Jim Lane, a Downtown property owner, said he welcomes Thomas’

candidacy because “everybody is entitled to run on their ideals and

beliefs.”

Although Lane serves as local attorney Debbie Cook’s campaign manager

for her council bid, he said he’ll support Thomas for one of three

available seats.

“I support him because he is against the use of eminent domain on

private property,” Lane said.

Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff said that although Thomas has a right to

run, she was surprised to learn of his candidacy.

“Many people will feel that [the charges] are very important issues,”

she said. “Environmentalists will look very carefully at his actions and

the charges.”

People may foolhardily believe the charges are true even though Thomas

has not be convicted, said Chuck Scheid, a member of the city’s

Infrastructure Advisory Committee.

The charges, he said, may be negative for Thomas’ campaign.

“As far as I’m concerned, he is innocent until someone says

otherwise,” Scheid said.

HIS PLATFORM

The two-term councilman has often been outspoken, with a

tell-it-like-it-is mentality toward his colleagues and other city

officials.

Yet Thomas acknowledged his approach was not always appreciated during

his tenure on the council.

However, he said he decided to run for office after receiving

encouragement from residents who are against Wal-Mart and CIM Group’s

Downtown project.

If elected, Thomas said he will fight against new or higher taxes, and

push for more infrastructure improvements and public safety.

Thomas said he also supports senior citizens and will pay special

attention to their needs.”I don’t have anything to gain by [being

elected], but to see that everybody in the city is treated fairly,”

Thomas said.

He said it is also important to “take care of the available

tax-producing property we have left and protect our environment too.”

Thomas said he has already gathered 30 signatures and plans to file

for candidacy next week.