During the Feb. 6 council meeting, Councilman John Paul Ledesma called for a point of personal privilege as Mayor Lance MacLean was mid-sentence. MacLean, looking puzzled, said, “Now?” The two walked off camera together. MacLean had just appointed Council Members Trish Kelley and Gail Reavis to serve on an ad hoc committee regarding a public opinion poll. No exaggeration – Kelley has directed those in her camp not to speak to or otherwise interact with Reavis. Kelley seems to go into an altered state with the mention of Reavis’ name. One can speculate on the sidebar: Ledesma: “What are you thinking?” MacLean: “Mud-wrestling.”

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Public speakers at the Feb. 6 meeting criticized the proposed public opinion survey. One speaker suggested the real purpose as reelection profiling and asked, “Who is to benefit?” Timing of the idea, dormant from 2003 until three council members are up for reelection, is suspect. Another speaker said it appeared to be a push poll in which questions could be geared toward pet projects of various council members.

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Speaking of reelection strategy, Kelley gave her senior transportation report during the Feb. 6 meeting. After 3 1/2 years of “concern” for senior transportation, what has Kelley accomplished? The only program is a contract with OCTA, taking seniors to and from the community center for lunch. In a community of around 100,000 residents, how many people participate? The answer is eight. Ury, who has been making rounds with Kelley as she “visits” (campaigns at) meetings with seniors, added that the effort will soon improve. Translation: a plan will be hatched prior to printing of Kelley’s campaign literature.

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If anyone knows, no one is telling the estimated number of residents watching council meetings on Channel 30. At City Hall, attendance has seriously fallen off. The cavernous chambers have been nearly empty in 2006, even with reasonably short meetings. Despite obvious disinterest, the council is responding to one resident’s suggestion to have a town hall meeting. What’s the point?

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Coming to a location near you: a large complex of affordable apartments. Some Mission Viejo residents who live in the Capo school district are worried about the threat of more apartments impacting their schools. They should be worried. School officials tried to suppress dismal results when apartment-dwellers moved into south Mission Viejo. Renters are not a protected class – feel free to tell the truth about them. Crowded conditions with multiple families living in one unit are not conducive to academic achievement, safe neighborhoods or quality of life.