The Buzz column, Feb. 16

On the agenda for the Feb. 19 council meeting is an item regarding use of the Potocki Center, located off La Paz on Potocki Conference Center Drive. Formerly the World Cup Center, the building became the brunt of jokes for its questionable space design, shortage of parking and inability to generate revenue as a city-owned facility. The building currently is used for art classes, and various art groups and supporters would like to keep it that way. Despite the drive among some residents for an art center, city staffers have continued trying to market the building for other uses.

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The arts have a hard time competing with business, and the arts in Mission Viejo are a worthy example of non-profit endeavors that benefit the public. Mission Viejo’s annual chalk festival is a popular event, partly because the city is funding some of its expenses. If the council doesn’t support an art center, Mission Viejo probably won’t have one. If council members favor leasing the Potocki Center to a non-art entity, it will be a setback for the fledgling effort among residents who want to promote the arts.

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If anyone doubts the need for art education in Mission Viejo, consider the tug-of-war over the city’s message board at La Paz and Marguerite. At least two council members have pushed for a large and garish electronic sign despite residents’ arguments to keep the antiquated but unobtrusive existing one. The council recently discussed the topic of funding for an electronic sign.

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The Buzz lately has received numerous comments from readers about letters in Saddleback Valley News. Four SVN letter-writers are sending in letters nearly every week, slamming everything and everyone. Referring to the SVN letter-writers, one blog reader asked, “What’s wrong with these people? I’m amazed the newspaper continues to print letters from people who are so angry and hostile they’re scary.”

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Some of the city’s longtime activists have lost interest in city politics. One of them commented recently, “After years of my involvement, I saw no positive change. We worked hard to dethrone two housewives [Sherri Butterfield and Susan Withrow] who were ruining our city by catering to developers and special interest. What do we have now? All five council members are ruining our city by catering to developers and special interest. All that’s left is for them to start naming buildings after themselves.”