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I read OC Weekly's recent issue (and covered in part by the Times and the Register) about Irvine's Larry Agran and the Grand Jury investigation of his antics. He is accused of, among other issues, devising methods of separating his fellow councilmen from input into the General Plan of the Great Park, as well as blocking general public oversight. He allegedly has pushed forward private energy companies without open bid, granted closed-bid contracts for favored attorneys and taken it upon himself to work directly, without oversight, with the homebuilders of massive housing projects the voters never intended to have built. Is the same game plan being played out in Mission Viejo with advice and direction from similar if not the same consultants as in Irvine? Haven’t Ury and McLean been dealing and talking with private energy concerns? Did they appoint themselves to a housing committee to prevent scrutiny by the public, even closing the doors to our own Planning Commissioners’ oversight? Will the same homebuilder(s) contribute or have they already contributed to a fund intended to enrich Mission Viejo councilmen? Larry Agran is accused of securing a $200,000 per year job after his term expires on the Great Park. Will MacLean secure the janitorial contract for a new gym, and will Ury negotiate the lawn mowers’ contract for a grand sports complex if allowed or if the city is pushed into building it? New housing and energy projects bring in big bucks from political consultants, which are then contributed to councilmen. That's part of the Grand Jury's investigation. I wonder how many players’ names could be cross-referenced if one looked closely at Irvine's proposed projects and those of Mission Viejo. As good news, the court agencies are well aware of the "good old boy" system Orange County has had for decades. The court is now exposing and prosecuting officials at a faster rate and with more vigor. A politician should remember what the statute of limitations is for prosecution. It’s more than a year, and it is frequently played out during the end of an election cycle. Witnesses and evidence seem to surface when least expected. Bo Klein |
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