If the Nov. 2006 city election has a theme, a referendum on housing development would be a worthy one. Mayor Lance MacLean says he wants more housing in Mission Viejo – preferably affordable apartments. Councilman Frank Ury is also advocating a large compound of affordable apartments. MacLean and Ury need a third vote on the council to ruin any neighborhood, and Councilwoman Trish Kelley appears to be leaning in their direction.

Although Ury has two years to go, MacLean and Kelley are up for reelection this November. With nine months before voters can go to the ballot box and stop them, MacLean and Kelley have an opportunity to do irrevocable harm. Two potential apartment sites are in south Mission Viejo: one parcel near the animal shelter and another along the freeway south of Oso. Both are in the Capo school district, for which Kelley affects concern. South-city residents have already borne the brunt of apartments with resulting traffic jams, increased crime and plummeting test scores in schools.

A north Mission Viejo neighborhood is also in jeopardy of more apartment-building on the parcel next to the former Kmart site near Palmia. Mission Foothill Marketplace, a foundering strip mall, occupies part of the property. Ownership recently changed, and the new proprietor wants to turn a profit.

After MacLean on Jan. 3 appointed himself and Ury to a housing committee (with Kelley’s vote), they began scoping out neighborhoods for affordable-apartment sites. Does anyone remember when Palmia HOA President Jim Wood said he had no objection to UDR/Pacific’s high-density complex across the street from Palmia? His public comments may come back to bite him now that Ury discovered room for a large affordable-apartment project on the other side of Palmia’s wall. Ury’s effort is not mere reconnaissance, as a developer and lobbyist are in tow on his neighborhood prowls.

Who are MacLean and Ury representing on the council? The answer is certainly not the residents of Mission Viejo. Those standing to gain from housing development are all outsiders – developers, consultants, lobbyists and everyone on their payrolls. Speaking of payrolls, Ury has a fund-raiser in February at a restaurant in Irvine. MacLean had a fund-raiser at an Irvine restaurant on Nov. 30. These two are at least consistent in supporting any place but Mission Viejo.

Several critical priorities exist for our city, and I hope this letter will raise awareness and provide more focus on what is needed. Mission Viejo has an unfunded pension liability in excess of $3 million to CalPERS, which does not include additional unfunded liabilities for health plans in our city. Look at the balance sheets of large airlines if you question the importance of this item.The liability has become semi-permanent just because it has not been resolved.

Our city seems to have an inability to control construction costs. Most projects run significantly over budget with a seeming disposition to spend more. Perhaps our non-grant projects should be pre-funded or prepaid to control costs. The grant projects such as the expansion of the community and senior center should have strict cost-control components built in, such as a cost review panel that reports frequently to the city council on cost overruns or reductions. The panel should be voluntary and comprised of private citizens with no city employee representation.

One of the highest priorities in Mission Viejo is to address the aging business centers. We should create opportunities for existing businesses and encourage more businesses to locate in our city. We should be retaining business dollars by encouraging shopping in Mission Viejo instead of losing dollars to other cities. The business centers at La Paz and Marguerite are an example. They are dated on both sides of La Paz across from City Hall. The centers need a complete redesign and facelift for our commercial businesses, which could be tied to the walking trails and creek in the area. These developments are always dependent upon costs and factors such as grants, other funding and landowners working with the city. Other centers such as the Mervyn's center near the freeway are also in the same condition.

Ringing business cash registers and visitors bring income to our city, but unfortunately, businesses are moving to newer and fresher locations such as Foothill Ranch and Ladera Ranch. While businesses move or struggle, our council majority fritters away precious time debating about sports facilities, gymnasiums or mega sports complexes. While it is fine to have sport opportunities in our city, income is generated by our businesses. This council, like previous ones, spends time converting our valuable commercial areas to residential, further depressing the income of our city and increasing costs of maintenance with high-density housing.

When was the last time we had a business symposium in Mission Viejo in the Saddleback Room at City Hall? What type of marketing person is available in the city and accountable to the council to push for more businesses and create more jobs for our citizens? Until a reordering of priorities occurs, our city will lose in the short and long term, and our citizens will suffer as a consequence.

James Edward Woodin
Mission Viejo

The Casta del Sol Democratic Club extends an invitation to all Mission Viejo residents to attend its next meeting on Wed., Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Fiesta Room. Those attending from outside Casta del Sol should enter through Gate 1 off Marguerite Parkway.

We have invited a guest speaker from the AARP organization. The subjects will include 2006 changes in Medicare, prescription drugs, Social Security and other issues that will affect senior citizens.

Plan to attend this very informative meeting and ask questions that will clarify your thoughts on the above subjects.

Norm Rosenkrantz
President, CDS Democratic Club
Mission Viejo

Instructors of art classes at the Potocki Center will exhibit their work at the Mission Viejo Library from March 16 through April 5. One of the instructors said the exhibit might include the work of students as well. A reception is planned, with date and other details to be announced.

As mentioned in the Dec. 23 Buzz, a group of artists last year approached the city to turn the unused facility into an arts center. The group reports ongoing success of the program, as well as providing enjoyment for those enrolled.

One of the classes, Beginning Watercolor, is in its third six-week session. The instructor said, “The class includes a range of students, including beginners. They were feeling the frustration of wanting to paint but lacking skill at drawing. To answer their need, I added a drawing class that meets for an hour immediately before the painting class.” A drawing class will be included in future offerings.

To learn more about art classes for adults, teens, drop-ins and after-school programs at the Potocki Center, call (949) 470-3061. Those wanting to enroll can also register online at .

Full Disclosure, an Emmy Award winning, independent news program has released “School Corruption Sparks Citizen Revolt." The subject is corruption and mismanagement in the Capistrano Unified School District. The first broadcast on Channel 31 was Feb. 1 at 6 p.m., with rebroadcasts to follow each Wednesday at 6 p.m. as a nonprofit public service.

Anyone who missed the program can also visit the Full Disclosure website at to learn about its investigative reports.

The nine-minute television program gives an overview of problems within CUSD.  Although the CUSD trustees may have escaped a special recall election, the producers of Full Disclosure confirmed they will aggressively pursue their investigative reporting of government corruption in CUSD.

Marlene Draper, president of the CUSD Board of Trustees, was asked by Full Disclosure to participate in this series of programs. She replied that she would have to check with the other trustees and her political consultants.  Ultimately, the CUSD trustees declined to participate.

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.