The Buzz column, Feb. 21

Mission Viejo has an elite group of 15 residents. Councilman Lance MacLean compiled the list, saying it comprises those who want him out of office. His theory is reminiscent of former Councilwoman Sherri Butterfield, who in 2002 thought her worst problem was a small group of watchdogs. Readers may want to contact the blog to find out if they made the Elite 15.

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Word traveled quickly after Councilman John Paul Ledesma put the joint-use gymnasium on the Feb. 20 council agenda. The agenda was released on Feb. 16, and a handful of people showed up at the meeting after Ledesma removed the item. Gym supporters promised they would “remember in November.” Perhaps what they should remember is Trish Kelley’s effort – and failure – to get any of her PTA buddies to run with her against Ledesma. As an aside, a friend of Kelley’s spoke at the public microphone about a claim from Councilwoman Reavis’ attorney. Isn’t that closed-session information?

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The newest member of the Planning Commission is Richard Sandzimier, who works for the City of Irvine. MacLean appointed Sandzimier to fill the seat vacated by Mary Binning in December. Binning, an attorney who works for John Cavanaugh’s law firm, may have resigned because her boss was interviewing for city attorney in Mission Viejo. If Cavanaugh had been chosen, he proposed to assign Binning as the city’s assistant attorney.

Binning’s trademark during her first two years on the Planning Commission may have been her tendency to argue all sides of each issue. Her typical comments ran: “ … on this hand … and on the other hand … and on one hand … and on the other hand.” Sandzimier is unknown in Mission Viejo city politics, but MacLean now might have one person who will campaign for him this fall. Just look for the house with all 1,000 of MacLean’s signs in one yard.

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How is The Frank Ury Staples Center coming along? The “regional sports complex” proposed by Ury might have considerably more appeal to outsiders than Mission Viejo residents. What he hasn’t mentioned is that Mission Viejo’s regional sports complex won’t be in Mission Viejo. The city will only get to contribute to someone else’s sports complex. It’s a new concept in good ol’ boy politics: give away the bacon.

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Frank said it’s Gail’s fault. Following ratification of the “new” city attorney’s contract on Feb. 20, Ury explained that it really wasn’t his fault he made a big stink over Richards, Watson and Gershon and then voted to rehire the same firm after a yearlong search. After everyone but Larry H. Parker interviewed for the job, Ury said he couldn’t push out the old law firm that was involved in Reavis’ legal issues. Reavis corrected him, saying her claim ended in June 2005. What’s the real story? It might help everyone to know that Reavis’ attorney was recommended by Ury’s campaign consultant, John Lewis. If the attorney isn’t completely incompetent, he managed to give the worst advice in the history of lawyering. Beware of legal counsel from a supporter of your archrival.