The Buzz column, December 29

Residents who have lived in Mission Viejo more than a few years might remember the “old” Saddleback Valley News. Ten years ago, SVN was published on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the Friday edition was up to 60 pages. The paper – now published only on Fridays – has lately been 36 pages with local ads and reprints from the OC Register instead of local coverage. With newspaper business declining on a national scale, the status of SVN probably won’t improve.

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A rumor is circulating that council candidate Justin McCusker has moved from Mission Viejo. A three-year resident, McCusker was unknown in the city prior to running for election. A city hall insider said no one had heard of him before he started campaigning, and no one has seen him since the election. A quick check with those in McCusker’s neighborhood say his house is still on the market, and the ad picturing his house is still running in SVN’s real estate section.

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Another unsuccessful council candidate is still complaining about having his name in the blog for accepting campaign donations from a lobbyist. Bill Barker made reference to The Buzz, calling it Mission Viejo’s “black blog.” The name may have originated with Councilman Frank Ury following unfavorable reviews from The Buzz. How did publisher Dale Tyler react to the name? Tyler said, “I think it’s funny. I envision a crew of writers who look like pirates. Maybe we should wear black hats and a patch over one eye.”

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Barker’s taking money from a lobbyist was only part of the problem during his campaign. He also revealed another side of his personality, becoming belligerent if anyone disagreed with him. During the final weeks of holding signs on street corners, Barker would storm other corners where opposing candidates stood. When driving the Mission Viejo Glass company truck around town to display his banner, he stopped at corners where other candidates were campaigning, parking in front of their banners and obstructing traffic. Days before the election, Barker’s signs frequently were plopped directly in front of other signs, particularly to obscure the “Reject Greenwood and Barker” signs.

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The Buzz received a report that the number of commission applications is below average for those seeking 2007 appointments. Just prior to the deadline, only four applications had been received for the planning commission, although more came in on the final day. Perhaps residents are leery of trying to get on a commission after seeing what happened to other commissioners in 2005. Two former planning commissioners who were highly knowledgeable and had served honorably were voted down for reappointment by Council Members Frank Ury, Trish Kelley and Lance MacLean. While the three would give no explanation of their vote from the dais, one of the council members went into the audience during a break and trashed those who had applied. Perhaps some residents don’t want to risk public humiliation in return for their hard work and willingness to serve.

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