The Buzz column, Feb. 28

The city recently mailed its spring 2007 “City Outlook” newsletter to Mission Viejo residents. Does anyone know how much this 16-page magazine-style puff-piece costs the taxpayers? It contains no news and repeats announcements numerous times to fill vast open spaces. The “taxi program” for seniors fills the front page, plus two other full pages with forms and – for those special folks who missed the other three pages – yet another completely repetitive article on a fourth page.

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The “taxi program” for seniors didn’t result from popular demand or a needs analysis. It came about because Councilwoman Trish Kelley had a laundry list of empty campaign promises in 2002. By the time she ran again in 2006, she’d flipped on everything from redevelopment to plopping affordable apartments on land designated for commercial use. She even “forgot” she’d promised in 2002 to serve only one term. As a last-ditch effort, the taxi program co-erupted with Kelley’s reelection campaign. The city staff put a lot of fluff into the Saddleback Valley News about the program and went completely nuts in the “Outlook,” trying to get the disinterested public’s attention.

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Tierra Nativa, the city’s 10-year-long renovation of the Oso Creek Trail, ended in 2006. The project and its completion date might have been extended, but the trail dead-ends at Oso, where it is surrounded by private property. The old program (involving Earth Day and tree worship) is being replaced by Artes de la Vida. The new catch-all city event includes education, volunteerism, California culture, art periods, the influence of technology, volunteer projects, landscape renovation, environment and community-based art projects. When it comes to creative events, Laguna Niguel still wins with mooning the train.

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A Mission Viejo Community Foundation spokesman already fired a warning shot, threatening to close the foundation’s doors if anyone criticized its non-performance. Never showing a balance sheet, the foundation is now claiming to have raised $525,000. For anyone who believes $525,000 means real money, check the fine print. This total includes pledges, gifts and in-kind donations, which could include anything from cans of purple paint to a roll of red shag carpet. Only gross figures are given without acknowledging operating expenses or the bloated salary of the director, who makes more than $100,000 a year. An article in the “Outlook” tried putting a positive spin on the $525,000 in vapor-cash, saying it doesn’t include the city’s $400,000 grant. The city would have been well ahead by spending its $400,000 directly on the community center expansion.