City Council Candidate Preview: Stan Yombo

There are six candidates lined up to replace Andrew Hamilton on City Council should voters in Lake Forest choose to recall him on Jan. 2, 2018. The primary reasons for the recall of Hamilton are his commitment to development in Lake Forest, his commitment to the high-kill Orange County animal shelter that locked the City into a 10-year contract that will cost millions extra, his decision to ignore the dangers of Saddleback Ranch Road until he faced a recall, and several instances of unethical and just plain rude behavior.

Candidates vying for the available council seat are Tom Cagley (click here), David Glick (click here), Neeki Moatazedi (click here), Mark Tettemer (click here), Frank Wagoner (click here) and Stan Yombo.

Last in a series: Stan Yombo

Stan Yombo is a giant ball of energy who, it seems, can be found around town at nearly every turn. He is active with the Chamber of Commerce and with the Kiwanis, has worked closely with the Soroptimists and has volunteered with the city's U.S. Marine Corps Support Committee. A hotelier who runs the Prominence Hotel on Lake Forest Drive, Yombo graduated from the City's Leadership Academy and also helps with the Parade Committee. Along with Cagley, Yombo is one of the most involved people in the city, making he and Cagley the most civically active candidates on the ballot.

Yombo, who speaks six languages and has been a resident for six years, is comfortable in the role of schmoozer. He seems to be able to, and willing to, talk to anyone. He has created videos – typically his interview with the subject – of civic leaders.

Where he is lacking seems to be in accountable opinion. He has over time avoided taking a public stance on most issues. Failing to express his opinion publicly, and then having to do so from the Council dais at the front of the room, can be an eye-opener for someone not used to it.

Yombo likes to play it safe, and by steering clear of major issues – or any issues – he isn't likely to offend anyone. Yombo is opposed to the group-think that exists among Hamilton, Robinson and Voigts. He says it's necessary for the city to continue to grow.

If elected, it's time for the rubber to meet the road; he will need to perform outside what is his apparent comfort zone and communicate his opinions and make the kind of public stand that he hasn't done much of in the past. It can happen – it happened with former councilman Adam Nick, for example.

Yombo did not provide a Candidate Statement (unlike Cagley, Moatazedi and Tettemer), which would be particularly troubling if he was absent civic involvement. It's apparent that he wants the best for the City as he sees it, but the problem is that it's difficult for voters to know how he sees it. He has an online video in which Yombo makes his pitch:

“Our city should not be run by special interests or politicians with personal agendas,” he says. “We have our problems and we can solve it ourselves. … I want to be the voice of Lake Forest.”

But the video also prevents voters from knowing where he stands and what his vision is. Still, he is a more viable candidate than most.

Photo via LinkedIn
About the Author: Martin Henderson won several Los Angeles and Orange County press club awards while an editor at Patch in 2012-13.