Press

Senator Correa and Assemblyman Solorio Confirm Leos Support

ANAHEIM (November 2, 2012) -- A recent mailer from the Orange County Victory Fund PAC has created some confusion regarding whether Assemblyman Jose Solorio and Senator Lou Correa still endorse John Leos or if they approve instead that mailer's anti-Leos message.

"I continue to endorse John Leos for Anaheim City Council because I believe his military service and county public safety experience have prepared him well for many of our city's pressing challenges," said Solorio.

Senator Lou Correa stated, ""Contrary to a recent confusing mailer, I still support and endorse John Leos for Anaheim City Council. This former U.S. Marine and his family have deep roots in Anaheim. I believe he will be an excellent addition to the Anaheim City Council."

According to today's Orange County Register article "Disney pours cash into Anaheim election," The Orange County Victory Fund PAC has been receiving funding from the Walt Disney Co.

John Leos Responds to Negative Campaign of Corporate Interests

ANAHEIM (October 29, 2012) -- The Voice of OC reported today that Disney-funded PACs supporting Steve Chavez Lodge and Jordan Brandman for Anaheim City Council have in turn funded another PAC which is sending out negative mailers opposing John Leos for Anaheim City Council. That PAC's principal officer, Citizens for Anaheim's Future, is former Anaheim mayor turned lobbyist Curt Pringle.

"I am a little surprised that corporate interests are opposing the only candidate who actually has experience with pension reform and restructuring retiree medical benefits," said Leos. "This is the only pension reform Orange County has ever seen. Working alongside people such as those on the County Board of Supervisors, I worked to save taxpayers many millions of dollars."

John Leos is a former U.S. Marine and a lifelong resident of Anaheim whose family has been in the city for nearly 100 years. This is his second campaign for Anaheim City Council, having placed third for two seats in 2010.

ANAHEIM (October 7, 2012) -- In today's edition of the Orange County Register, the paper's Editorial Board has endorsed John Leos for Anaheim City Council.

Candidate Leos "impressed" the Register in an endorsement interview "where he was brimming with ideas on gang violence, pension reform, education and bolstering the local economy." Among other things, the paper notes that the average city resident needs a stronger voice on the council and that one former mayor turned lobbyist has "far too much influence" in Anaheim. The Editorial Board underscores the "critical importance" of electing the paper's endorsed candidates.

As of May the newspaper's total Sunday circulation numbers had grown to 385,283 when including the online edition, the Kindle edition and other Register-branded products.

Anaheim Transparency Candidate John Leos Wants Debate

ANAHEIM (September 22, 2012) -- City Council candidate John Leos wants public debate in Anaheim so voters will be better informed about their choice in November. Leos has worked for a more open and transparent Anaheim City government over the last year by asking for the "Anaheim Transparency, Disclosure and Accountability Reform Act."

"Many Anaheim residents feel disconnected from City voting decisions. The lack of debate and public discussion feeds into the perception that Anaheim residents work to benefit a few political insiders instead of the City Council working for the residents. Can you imagine a successful company where employees do their own thing and keep it hidden from the boss? In Anaheim, the City works for us. We're the boss and we have the duty to evaluate their activities -- especially when lobbyists are eyeing lucrative City contracts for clients," says Leos. "We shouldn't have just one debate or forum, but many. Let Anaheim residents fully engage and get a real feel for the candidates."

State Assemblyman Chris Norby Endorses John Leos for Anaheim City Council

ANAHEIM (September 19, 2012) -- State Assemblyman and former County Supervisor Chris Norby has endorsed John Leos for Anaheim City Council in this November's election.

A retired teacher, Assemblyman Norby has worked to help "Limited English" classified students move more easily into the "English Proficient" category while better allocating resources wasted on misclassification. He has also worked during his career to curb eminent domain abuse while fighting redevelopment agencies that lacked accountability to voters.

Norby says,"John Leos has deep roots in Anaheim and he understands the need to broaden the range of resident voices in City Hall. In times of great civic challenge, John Leos has the temperament to reach out to all in Anaheim's diverse community. John Leos understands that Anaheim is an international tourist center and a regional economic center, but it is also the sum of its varied neighborhoods. Anaheim is the largest city in my district and the ninth largest in California, and I look forward to working with Council Member Leos locally and in Sacramento."

Chris Norby represents the 72nd District, which includes Anaheim, Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, Orange, Placentia, and Yorba Linda residents. He has also served as City Council Member and Mayor of Fullerton.

State Assemblyman Jose Solorio Endorses John Leos for Anaheim City Council 2012

ANAHEIM, CA - (September 6, 2012) - State Assemblyman Jose Solorio has endorsed Anaheim City Council candidate John Leos for this November’s election. Assemblyman Solorio has served the 69th Assembly District since 2006. He has previously served as a council member for the City of Santa Ana.

Solorio says about the Leos, “"We need more leaders on the Anaheim City Council that will roll up their sleeves and get things done. The future success of our neighborhoods and businesses depends on it. That's why I'm endorsing John Leos for City Council."

Solorio terms out of the Assembly in November. Because education has always been a priority for him and a key to his own success, he is currently running for the Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees.

Leos Reaction to Lodge's Police Brutality Allegations and Court Ordered Ballot Changes

ANAHEIM (September 4, 2012) -- According to an Orange County Register article today, an Orange County Superior Court has ordered stricken Lodge's use of "Retired Policeman" from November's ballot and also that the name Steven Albert Chavez Lodge replace Steven Chavez Lodge. Additionally, an OC Weekly article references newly revealed multiple police brutality allegations stemming from Lodge's work for the Santa Ana PD.

City Council candidate John Leos has responded, "I respect the order from the court for the ballot to more accurately reflect Lodge's occupation and name. But the newly discovered allegations of past police brutality are troubling. The City of Anaheim cannot afford the perception that it condones the abuse of power should Lodge be elected. Lodge is simply the wrong candidate for an Anaheim in crisis. This City needs healing right now and not salt in its wounds."

Orange County Labor Federation Endorses John Leos for Anaheim City Council in 2012

ANAHEIM (September 3, 2012) -- The Orange County Labor Federation has endorsed John Leos for Anaheim City Council. The organization and its members have worked since 1920 to protect the rights of working families and to help them overcome the economic challenges they face.

Labor Federation Political Director Julio Perez said, "John Leos knows Anaheim, its neighborhoods, and its diverse residents because he knows his own roots. We endorsed him because Anaheim's working people need a strong voice like Leos's now more than ever."

Executive Director Tefere Gebre noted, "Over 200,000 working men and women in Orange County are proud to support John Leos for Anaheim City Council. Anaheim is in dire need of leadership willing to stand up and fight for good jobs and a strong community. John Leos has proven himself to be that leader. He has already shown his true leadership by advocating for an open and transparent government in Anaheim."

Lawsuit Challenges Lodge's Use of Chavez Name for Race in Anaheim

ANAHEIM (August 21, 2012) -- Anaheim resident Cynthia Ward has challenged City Council candidate Steve Lodge's use of the middle name "Chavez" on the ballot and also the inclusion of "retired" in his ballot designation. Her lawsuit suggests the recent use of the middle name "Chavez" serves a political function.

"While I can respect Lodge's apparent sensitivity to voter concerns about the lack of a Latino voice on the Council, it just seems opportunistic to put on a Latino identity for himself now that votes are at stake," said City Council Candidate John Leos. "My family over the last 90 years experienced segregated Anaheim schools and other injustices, but I learned from them always to be myself -- in season and out of season."

Clear Battle Lines in Anaheim With Tait Endorsement of Leos-www.voiceofoc.org

ANAHEIM (August 9, 2012) -- Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait Endorses John Leos for Anaheim City Council in 2012

Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait has endorsed John Leos for Anaheim City Council in this November's election. Tom Tait was popular with the commmunity as a council member in the 90s. In 2010 he was convincingly voted in as Mayor by a nearly 2 to 1 margin. His mayoral performance has proven popular as well.

Many Anaheim residents recognize his steady hand as a unifier in a city marred by crises and divisive elements. Mayor Tait opposed the recent 158 million dollar tax giveaway just as John Leos did. The Mayor also supported democratically allowing voters to decide the controversial TOT issue. Tait additionally supports the move to districting in Anaheim so all residents can be more closely connected to their elected representatives.

John Leos was the first runner-up in the 2010 council race. Since then he has worked to introduce lobby reform to the City. He has the support of community leaders, business leaders, workers and employers and will help heal divisions if elected to the City Council.

Another Call for Transparency in Anaheim's City Government

Los Amigos Founder Amin David Endorses John Leos for Anaheim City Council 2012

OCEA Endorses John Leos for Anaheim City Council in 2012

ACSD Board Members Dr. Jose Moreno and Jeff Cole Endorse John Leos for Anaheim City Council 2012

ANAHEIM, CA - (March 13, 2012) - Anaheim City School District Board Members Dr. Jose Moreno and Jeff Cole have endorsed John Leos for the Anaheim City Council in this November's election.

Moreno is a strong advocate for parent and community engagement in local schools. He is also President of Los Amigos of Orange County.

"I am proud to endorse John Leos. As parents with children in our public schools, John and I know firsthand the important role schools play in building strong, vibrant communities. As a peace officer, John understands that among the strongest deterrents to juvenile delinquency is a strong public school system. John is a firm believer in building collaborative partnerships between local governments and local schools, and his election to the Anaheim City Council will further our collective goal of a city that values and builds on the potential of its youngest residents."

Dr. Moreno has served on the ACSD Board of Education since 2006 and is a parent of four young children. He is also a professor at California State University, Long Beach and sits on various community and national education advisory councils. On the board, his priorities have been advocating for stronger parent engagement in school decision-making, education-centered budgets, as well as stronger organizational accountability and transparency.

Jeff Cole's priorities on the ACSD board, like Dr. Moreno's, have included cutting costs from school administration instead of from classrooms while also ensuring teachers have the resources to necessary for teaching every student.

Senator Lou Correa Endorses John Leos for Anaheim City Council 2012

ANAHEIM, CA - (March 5, 2012) - State Senator Lou Correa of the 34th District has endorsed John Leos in this year's Anaheim City Council race. Correa has formerly served on the Orange County Board of Supervisors and as a state assemblyman. He also endorsed Leos in 2010.

Like John Leos, Senator Correa is a tireless opponent of graffiti, blight, and the gang element that goes along with them.

"I have worked with John to cut down on gang activity and eliminate graffiti in Anaheim. He is a proven leader for public safety," said Senator Correa.

Also like Correa, Mr. Leos has deep roots in the City of Anaheim. His family's history here goes back to the early part of last century. "My family has handed down so many stories about Anaheim. It's that rich history and hope for my children that motivate me to make Anaheim great for future generations."

Leos Announces Anaheim City Council Candidacy for 2012

ANAHEIM, CA.- (February 13) John Leos has announced he will again be seeking a seat on the Anaheim City Council this November. Mr. Leos is a lifelong Anaheim resident, an activist for local lobby reform and a champion for community causes affecting schools, parks and libraries. He is also a member of the Measure B Bond Budget Oversight Committee. Leos came in third behind winners Gail Eastman and Kris Murray in 2010.

In this important election year Leos has promised to continue his fight for issues affecting Anaheim schools and the community.

"My heart has always been for Anaheim, " says Leos. "My family's been in this city for a hundred years, and I want the same thing all my family, friends, and neighbors here want: simply to make Anaheim a better place to live, work and do business."

In his activism for lobby reform he has shown the confidence to go against the grain. He brings up unpopular subjects political insiders find uncomfortable, while he speaks out against an establishment which tends to maintain the status quo in the City. Leos believes Anaheim needs a voice like his now more than even two years ago.

John Leos is also a peace officer who has served on the OCEA Peace Officer Protective League Oversight Committee. He is a current member of the State Coalition of Probation Organizations, American Legion Post 72, and the Los Amigos community group. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp until his honorable discharge in 1999.

Leos, 39, lives in East Anaheim with his wife Shelly. They have two sons, six-year-old son Grant and eight-year-old Bryce, whose interests include baseball, football and superheroes. The Leos's are also involved in the Anaheim City School District's bilingual dual immersion program.

There will be two vacant City Council seats in this November's election.

Contact: John Leos
714-514-0370 or info@johnleos.com
www.JohnLeos.com

100 protest at City Hall over $158 million tax incentive

Residents again ask Anaheim Council for a “Public Vote” on $158M tax giveaway

Anaheim City Council Candidate John Leos Pledges to Give Up City Car Allowance, City Health Benefits and Pension

ANAHEIM (October 9, 2010) -- At the recent West Anaheim Neighborhood Development Council (WAND) forum for Anaheim City Council candidates, John Leos announced his pledge to not take the car allowance offered to Anaheim City Councilmembers. Additionally, he promises to accept neither the city pension nor health benefits offered by the city.

John Leos reiterated his pledge during Wednesday's candidate forum at Canyon High School sponsored by The Canyon Hills Community Council. No other candidate has followed his lead.

He described his decision this way: "I have a pension and benefits from my full-time job and certainly don't believe in double-dipping. As far as the car allowance is concerned, I already have a car I pay for, so how could I justify accepting this perk when we all know employees have been suffering lay-offs?"

According to information released by the City of Anaheim on August the 6th, the car allowance for councilmembers is 650 dollars per month and health benefits range between $1500 and $17338 per year. The city also makes retirement contributions up to 15.917%.