The Buzz column, Jan. 30

A letter in last week’s Buzz mentioned the trend of apartments on top of retail stores as a throwback to Soviet-style communes. Considering some of the comrades on the council and planning commission, it fits together. How can voters prevent such unrepresentative views on the council when candidates are deceptive about their beliefs? For one thing, beware of candidates who change their party affiliation when they decide to run for office.

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The city socialists are eying the retail center at La Paz and Marguerite as a potential promenade with shops and apartments. Commissioner Chandra Krout seems to think Mission Viejo lacks nightlife and, thus, she must create an entertainment zone. To create a promenade, would she close off La Paz so apartment-dwellers could meander from Big Lots to Ralphs? To enhance the image of an upscale downtown area, please refer to Big Lots as Grand‚ Lott‚.

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Some newcomers to the city seem not to understand the community of Mission Viejo or its charm. Residents didn’t move here for nightlife. Mission Viejo advertised its “promise” – a community for families and a Master Plan as its guarantee. The promise is threatened, not by residents but those on the dais who sell out the residents. The city’s first homeowners made sacrifices to move to the boondocks of south Orange County, where affordable housing comprised entire communities. Those who want affordable housing in 2006 have the same opportunity to go to a new development elsewhere with housing they can afford.

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Is anyone still holding a Ury banner touting his so-called business acumen and leadership? What’s on his agenda besides bringing in affordable apartments? During his 2004 campaign, Ury fans carried him on their shoulders as the white knight who would stop SCE from stringing more lines across north Mission Viejo. With the lines in place, Ury’s corporate donors just happen to include an independent power provider who might be interested in using the lines.

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Why does anyone believe Target has any intention of building a second store within 1.5 miles of its store on Alicia? A wide range of residents following the development of plans agree on one thing: the picture being presented by Steadfast makes absolutely no sense. What does make sense is for Target to buy property and wait for the price to rise dramatically before selling it. A zone change from commercial to residential would significantly raise the value. Those running the Target corporation are probably a little more clever than they appear. And Steadfast is clever enough to drag Target into City Hall as its Trojan horse.

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Mission Viejo Country Club is interested in selling a seven-acre parcel off Oso. The club indicated it has several inquiries from potential buyers. Although the parcel is zoned for recreation use, can anyone guess the nature of the inquiries? Of course – at lease one developer who wants to build more high-density housing.