One school board seat already set

Deirdre Newman

While many school board hopefuls are busy strategizing how to beat

their opponents, Linda Sneen is sitting on cloud nine, admiring the

view.

Sneen learned Wednesday she will replace trustee Jim Ferryman in

January because no one else filed or launched a write-in campaign by

Wednesday’s deadline.

“I can’t believe this,” Sneen said. “I’m so excited.”

Sneen waited until the last minute Wednesday to file her final

documents to avoid paying a $1,650 fee for a ballot statement, which

became moot when she learned she was the only candidate.

Sneen, who has two boys, boasts a wealth of experience in school

involvement through various PTAs. She has been honored for those

efforts with four PTA Honorary Service Awards and the Costa Mesa

Mayor’s Award.

Sneen, who will represent the north side of Costa Mesa, said when

she assumes her seat in January, she will “make all decisions based

upon what is best for our students.”

When pressed for specific issues she feels strongly about, she

said she is in favor of the Westside health clinic proposed to be

located adjacent to Rea Elementary School. It is now open to

discussion.

Sneen will be sworn in Dec. 6 with the other school board trustees

elected in November. Incumbents Serene Stokes, Judy Franco and Wendy

Leece all face at least one challenger. Stokes will face Ron Winship,

Franco will take on Shelby Cove, and Leece will battle Tom Egan,

husband of Costa Mesa Planning Commissioner Eleanor Egan.

Ferryman, who was convicted of driving under the influence after a

car collision in September, decided not to seek reelection.