The Buzz Column, Aug. 8

The Mission Viejo Community Foundation gave its first donation to the city, $227,500 in cash and in-kind services. The presentation was made in connection with the groundbreaking ceremony to expand the community center. City grants totaling $400,000 have been given to the foundation as startup money. At its inception, a spokesman said the foundation would raise $1 million for the community center expansion. According to the foundation a year later, $1 million is $600,000. The remaining $400,000 is the city’s grant money, which it might get back. At its current rate of fundraising (actually, fund-lowering), the foundation might need another “startup” check from the city next year.

***

In a guest column in the Aug. 4 Saddleback paper, the foundation chairman uses terms like “leverage” and “investment” to describe the city’s gift of $400,000. “Startup costs” instead of operational costs are mentioned without revealing the foundation director’s salary of more than $9,000 a month. Donors giving $1,000 might consider that their “investment” will pay for the director’s salary for a few days. By the way, the board apparently doesn’t like criticism. One person was quoted as saying the foundation would throw in the towel if residents didn’t stop complaining about the lack of fundraising. If taxpayer funds of $400,000 weren’t involved, perhaps no one would care. Public funds, however, are a concern of the public and open the door to comment.

***

Bids for the community center expansion came in approximately $2.1 million over budget. Douglas E. Barnhart was the low bidder at $8,543,678, and SMC Construction was second lowest at $8,842,562. The third bid was USS Cal Builders at $9,976,000.

***

Bombs continue to drop in the Capo school district. At the July 29 board meeting, Trustee Mike Darnold tried to spin it, “We’re not in turmoil, we’re in transition.” The Iraqi government is in transition. CUSD’s administration is in turmoil.

***

Besieged by an attempted recall of all seven trustees, allegations of malfeasance and criminal acts, discovery of an “Enemies List” of parents supporting the recall and the appearance of Brown Act violations, Supt. James Fleming announced his retirement, effective Aug. 31. On Aug. 7, Trustee Crystal Kochendorfer announced she won’t seek reelection, citing “family” issues as the reason for her departure.

***

The Or. Co. Register revealed CUSD paid up to $101 an hour to a contractor who hired Supt. James Fleming’s son to work for as a plumber – a giant step up from his job at a Dairy Queen. CUSD Board President Marlene Draper’s daughter, Shawna Schaffner, may have received similar special treatment. Schaffer, a vice president at Culbertson, Adams and Associates, has worked on environmental contracts for the district. Draper voted to approve her daughter’s contracts. The approved work included a $172,000 contract in December, which was awarded without competitive bids.

***

What’s it like in CUSD’s inner sanctum? Despite the appearance of harmony among trustees and 7-0 votes during open sessions, an insider said a typical behind-the-scenes meeting is more like a battleground with streams of profanity. With a few more employee resignations and trustees stepping down, perhaps residents will learn what the profanity is all about.