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Editor’s Note: During and after the November 2004 elections, there was considerable disagreement about the different candidates supported by various members of CIG. This disagreement resulted in CIG suspending activities in January 2005. While the organization may no longer be active in Mission Viejo, many of the fine works of the members are still having an positive effect on our city. Mr. Gilbert, with input from many others wrote this history of change in Mission Viejo. It should stand as a shing example for other activist groups. You CAN make a difference if you work hard and care enough. Thanks, |
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Mission Viejo Committee for Integrity in Government |
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Our Mission Our goal is to help inform the citizens of Mission Viejo about the true facts of various proposed projects and city sponsored initiatives within the city. We seek to counter the misinformation and ‘spin’ from all sources, especially the City of Mission Viejo. Only by knowing the facts can an informed citizen make a reasoned decision. Our History - Up Through Today Chronological History as of 9 March 2004 Two major projects led to the formation of the Mission Viejo "committee." First. The city decision to break the established housing cap with a zoning change to build 741 apartments after ignoring a Petition containing 7,000 signatures of residents opposed to this project. CIG webmaster Dale Tyler led this huge petition drive initiative. Second. Oct 28, 1996. Using stealth Agenda tactics to move the Riptide, a minor league baseball team from Long Beach to Mission Viejo. Ultimately the city had plans to build a $6 million stadium at Saddleback College for this team whose new name became the Vigilantes. CIG members wrote letters, spoke out at city council meetings, attended Vigilante baseball games to count heads, and were very involved in stopping this nightmare. The sad news, even with all of our collective efforts, is that the city eventually lost $1.4 million on this redevelopment project that was NEVER openly discussed in any public forum. Jan 18, 1997 Brad Morton calls for MV Watchdog oversight Jan 22, 1997 CIG attorney Morton represents "Citizens for Responsible Government," a grass roots group opposed to a revision in zoning for 2 apartment projects off Crown Valley Parkway. Proponents prevail. Jan 23, 1997 The nonpartisan Committee for Integrity in Government, CIG, co-founded by Brad Morton and Milt Jacobson July 4, 1998 CIG takes booth at MV Street fair. Engaged residents and ask them to answer a 7 question survey of local and statewide issues including Term Limits. Oct 1997 renovation & expansion of the MV Mall using the redevelopment agency to fund two parking structures creating up to $85 million of bonded indebtedness. City Council approval was granted AFTER nine months of ongoing renovation. May 20, 1998 SV News. "Mission Viejo resident Greg Appleman holds picket signs at the corner of La Paz and Marguerite Parkway in front of Mission Viejo library Thursday afternoon. Appleman and a dozen other members of the Mission Viejo Committee for Integrity in Government protested the city's participation in redevelopment projects...."see photo and text. Summer/fall 1998. After being encouraged by Redevelopment reform activists, including Assemblyman Tom McClintock and Fullerton Councilman Chris Norby, CIG Member John Paul Ledesma, in his first city council campaign, defeats incumbent councilman. Nov 11, 1998 Larry Gilbert retains redevelopment attorney to stop the city council on this project this is ongoing without voter approval. Larry earlier visited the office of the CA Deputy Attorney General challenging the project's validity. March 11, 1999 Council Craycraft is mentioned in OC Register editorial for "naming names" in an attempt to intimidate CIG members requesting Public Documents July 20, 1999 CIG members present award at monthly meeting to Chairman Brad Morton for his integrity and commitment to CIG Aug 1999 Three CIG members, Kyle Crenshaw, Brad Morton and Dale Tyler, file lawsuit against MV council majority for Brown Act violations against councilman John Paul Ledesma, a CIG member. Superior Court Judge Eileen C. Moore ruled that the city was guilty of multiple violations of the Brown Act and forced the city to audio tape all Closed Session meetings for a period of two years. Sept, 10, 1999 CIG members Larry Gilbert, Brad Morton, Allan Pilger and Dale Sandore picket the grand reopening of the Mall, now called the Shops at MV. See photos. Oct 1999 CIG members support Councilman Ledesma in his desire to add Internet filters to block pornography access at our city owned library. Our pressure on the city council resulted in getting 2 of the 4 computers in the children's area filtered. Note: Current status. They are all filtered today. Oct 6, 1999. CIG members object to "corporate welfare" for Lexus Dec 16, 1999 CIG member Larry Gilbert files lawsuit against the city on pending city hall Ballot Measure that was rigged and did not give the voter an option to vote NO! Gilbert represented by CIG Chairman Brad Morton. We lost the case as this is an "advisory" vote only. Dec 1999 four CIG members, Kyle Crenshaw, Larry Gilbert, John Paul Ledesma and Brad Morton sign the Measure K, city hall Ballot arguments pointing out the flaws in the proposal. Jan 16, 2000 OC Register editorial, "Faces of Freedom," recognition of Brad Morton, Allan Pilger and Larry Gilbert for their "watchdog" efforts. Feb 2000 CIG members challenge proposed advisory Ballot measure on a new city hall. Spring 2000 CIG member Cathy Schlicht writes a Viewpoint article expressing opposition to Measure K, the city hall ballot measure. April 2000 CIG member Allan Pilger reports on the doomed Kaleidoscope redevelopment project disaster that we opposed. July 4th 2000 CIG takes a booth at Mission Viejo "street fair" Survey residents on 7 local issues including the rigged city hall ballot measure, library Internet filters and redevelopment philosophy. Aug 2000 CIG member Gilbert challenges city hall contract process and sends a document package to the OC Grand Jury. Top city officials are called to Santa Ana and dance around charges. No further action taken. Fall 2000 CIG members support Gail Reavis for city council. Nov 2000 General Election. CIG member Gail Reavis, in her first race for elected office, defeats an incumbent after he spent $80,000 in the most costly candidate expenditure in city history. Jan 2001 Council Member Gail Reavis, a CIG member, finds new $6,286 city manager desk and pad on the routine check register. City manager Joseph is quoted to say: "This desk will be here long after I'm dead." OC Register Jan 16, 2001. July 4th˜ 2001 CIG takes a booth at the Mission Viejo Street fair to again survey the residents on city issues. August 2001 City holds three Public Meetings as they try to convince Montanoso Rec Center users that the center, along with the Sierra Rec Center, both city owned and operated properties, should be sold. The plan is to create one huge master recreation center at the former World Cup training site. City Councilwoman Gail Reavis, a CIG member, serves on that ad hoc team March 2004 Update: The Montanoso Rec Center is undergoing an extensive renovation and is scheduled to open in the spring of 2004. Oct 2001 Pilger and Gilbert, two members of CIG, selected to be OC co-chairs of the statewide redevelopment reform activists group Californians United for Redevelopment Education, CURE. Oct 30, 2001 Orange County Register. Holiday/Christmas Display. "A decades-old tradition of holiday decorations at a high-profile south-county intersection will be missing sometime this year-any reference to religion." Mission Viejo City Manager is quoted to say: "We're getting out of the religion business." CIG members take an active role in opposing this action. Feb 22, 2002. A Holiday Display committee including Councilwoman Gail Reavis is created to find a solution to this unacceptable proposed city manager action. Jan 2002 CIG members challenge the city manager's initial Contract Award to Waters & Faubel to "Get Out the Vote." This award, which exceeded $50,000, was not discussed at a council meeting until after the fact. Clear violation of MV Code 2.08.070 and Council Policy #0300-7. A last minute proposal, at a lower charge, was rejected by the council majority. Note: Roger Faubel, whose firm was selected, was a former city councilman. Feb 19, 2002 CIG celebrates 5th anniversary with a dinner attended by over 50 people, including the city manager. Guest speakers included OC Register Senior Editorial Writer and Columnist Steven Greenhut and Shirley Grindle of Tin Cup. March 2002 Former Council majority press to dump Sierra Recreation Center. March 25, 2002 CIG members Donna Bourassa, Larry Gilbert, Bo Klein, Liz Mimm, Brad Morton, Allan Pilger, Norm Rosenkrantz, Sym Rosenkrantz, Dale Sandore and Cathy Schlicht picket the grand opening of the new "Taj Mahal" city hall. This is but one of numerous projects that was eventually completed over the budgeted figures the citizens were given. See photo's. July 4th 2002 CIG takes a booth at the Mission Viejo Street fair to get the pulse of the community. CIG members Milt Jacobson, Bo Klein, Brad Morton, Allan Pilger, Norm Rosenkrantz and Cathy Schlicht are but some of the members who manned the booth and gave out prizes to contestants that knew where major city facilities were located. July 2002. City Manager Dan Joseph promotes spending nearly $1 million to bulldoze Sierra, a city owned recreation center. This action triggered the decision by Trish Kelley, who lives in that area and had used the facility, to run for city council with hopes of saving this neighborhood complex. With assistance from CIG members, in Nov 2002, Trish was elected, in her first campaign for city council, trouncing the incumbent mayor and mayor pro tem. Update: That complex is scheduled to be rebuilt. Sept 2002. City Council accepts Holiday Display sub committee solution to return the displays to the "Four Corners" where they had existed for decades. This represents another victory for CIG. Fall 2002. CIG members support three candidates who have the same philosophy as CIG with regard to open government, opposition to "corporate welfare" via redevelopment projects, fiscal responsibility and accountability to the citizens. Anyone driving through Mission Viejo in the morning or evening in Oct had a chance to see Barbara Anderson, Larry Gilbert, Joe Holtzman, Milt Jacobson, John Paul Ledesma, Lance MacLean, Brad Morton, Allan Pilger, Norm and Sym Rosenkrantz, Rick and Gail Reavis, Dale Sandore and Cathy Schlicht holding signs in support of those candidates that support our Mission Statement. Nov 5, 2002 "Shock and Awe." Clean Sweep. Three city council candidates, strongly supported by CIG members, defeat high profile incumbent mayor and mayor pro-tem. Trish Kelley, John Paul Ledesma and Lance MacLean finish first, second and third. Nov 8, 2002 OC Register Editorial reads The Revolution in MV. Dec 5, 2002. Orange County Register County Line Poll. "Should William Craycraft's and Sherri Butterfield's names be removed from two buildings." Yes 89%, No 11%. Total responses 300. Note: One set of signs were at a major city park. The other sign was on a building. Both of these council members were found guilty of violating the Brown Act. Dec 2002 A CIG member's suggestions on revising city staffing is questioned by the media and upper city management. Jan 2003 CIG members spot stealth project called lower Curtis Park cleanup. Force City to stop the project after $200,000 spent. Jan 2003 CIG member Gilbert files police report on "alleged" illegal dumping at Curtis Park as the city failed to do so. No action taken. "No witnesses and no evidence" cited. Feb 17, 2003 Newly elected council majority votes (3-1 and one abstaining) to remove the names of two council members from city owned facilities. Note: Three of the five city council members are CIG members. March 14, 2003 CIG celebrates 6th anniversary at an awards dinner attended by around 50 people. OC Board of Supervisor Chris Norby gives keynote address. Norman P. Murray, first mayor of MV, received commendation for his many contributions to the community. Other members are also recognized for our dedication as watchdogs of the city. April 2003 CIG receives Citizen Warrior Award from M.O.R.R. and C.U.R.E. for our efforts in fighting redevelopment abuse. May 2003 CIG members Joe Holtzman and Cathy Schlicht take photo's of OCSD motor cyclists hiding on public property to catch speeders. Citizens observe this deputy as he nearly hit a woman and child in a carriage. MV Chief of Police Services and OC Sheriff Carona notified by a CIG member. Update: Although we never received a response to the document package, given to both, we no longer see any deputies at this location. See photos. Summer 2003. A challenging time for CIG as we fought another auto dealership "handout." In this case we were effective in reducing what may have been a $2.1 million rebate to a cap of $600,000. CIG members were divided on this issue. Note: A prior city council approved a $2 million sales tax rebate to the same owner with an adjacent dealership. July 4th 2003 CIG takes a booth at MV Street fair. Fall 2003. Six member CIG economic development sub committee created. Larry Gilbert, Joe Holtzman, Allan Pilger, Norm Rosenkrantz, Cathy Schlicht and Dale Tyler divided up a list of tasks to be performed. This effort is led by Allan Pilger. Extensive data base created with numerous photos to promote the city comprise our new web site that is ultimately shared with the interim (and newly chosen) city manager. Oct 2003. CIG organization challenged by some citizens when CIG member/Vice Mayor Gail Reavis expense account is questioned. We must be consistent in our watchdog role. Oct 31, 2003 CIG Chairman Brad Morton has a Guest Viewpoint in the Register as a rebuttal to the outgoing city manager "sour grapes" Letter. Nov 2003. Allegations against CIG member/Vice Mayor Reavis that severance package for city clerk and city manager were drastically increased due to her aggressiveness. Nov/Dec 2003. City Manager and City Clerk dismissed. Note: At one time this city manager publicly stated that he "only had to count to three." Eventually a "minority" may end up becoming the new "majority." Dec 2003 LA Times reporter Dave Mc Kibben tries to create, rather than reporting, the news. Sensationalizing where in fact there is no story to be told. Times issues multiple retractions to false reporting of facts. July 2003 through March 2004. CIG oversight started regarding possible affordable housing project that may impact traffic and local schools. This 23 acre site is currently zoned commercial. March 2004 update: Planning Commission rejects two proposals as presented by the applicant. CIG members very active in researching and testifying on this proposed project. Jan 2004 New City manager cordially invites CIG members to share and discuss mutual concerns for the betterment of our city. We gladly accept this new "open door" attitude. Feb 2004. Larry Gilbert and Allan Pilger, two of the six members of the CIG economic development ad hoc team, meet with the new city manager and director of community development to share our newest web site, whose only objective is to promote "sustaining, retaining and gaining business in Mission Viejo." After a few meetings, and accepting input from staff and planning commissioners, CIG's web site is launched. www.missionviejobusiness.com receives media coverage in both the OC Register and LA Times which creates thousand of "hits" after initial launch. Feb 23, 2004 Under "New Business" city staff adds item #6 to the Planning Commission Agenda to "receive and comment" on an update of our web site by Allan Pilger. Note: Under the prior city manager, and former council majority, we never had an open and responsive city welcome for our suggestions. March 2004. The planning commission has asked the city attorney to investigate if CIG can link to the city's web site. Our position is that this web site, that is non political, can stand on it's own regardless of the attorney's final position. Ironically, there are citizens that hate CIG and have opposed any link to the city even though they admit that the web site is an effective tool to enhance the city coffers. The story continues.... Note: Results of our annual July 4th street fair polls confirms that over 80% of those who participated in the survey agree with CIG's position of opposing corporate welfare via redevelopment projects. There is no "blight" in our city. |
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