The city on Thursday distributed copies of a letter from Roger Faubel, who declined the public outreach contract he was awarded by a 4-1 council vote (Councilman John Paul Ledesma dissenting) on Oct. 17.

Mission Viejo NewsBlog on Oct. 22 reported in the council meeting summary that Roger Faubel Public Affairs, Inc. was awarded a contract of up to $100,000 for educating the public about the Crown Valley Parkway road-widening project. The blog also reported Faubel’s political involvement in the recall of Capistrano Unified School District’s seven trustees, citing an Aug. 22 letter from attorney Jim Lacy to a school board trustee.

On Oct. 22, Mission Viejo resident Larry Gilbert wrote a letter asking council members to review their decision during the next council meeting in light of Lacy’s Aug. 22 letter. Lacy’s letter issued a cease and desist order and alleged that Faubel participated in illegal activities to interfere with the recall of CUSD trustees. Gilbert’s letter to the council is included in this issue of the blog.

Faubel stated to the council during the Oct. 17 meeting that he hadn’t participated in city politics in the past five years. Councilman Ledesma reminded him of his participation as a political consultant in the 2002 city council race. Lacy’s letter referred to Faubel’s participation in the CUSD recall as well as his current service on the Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors, an elected position.