The Buzz column, March 23

Neighbors of failed 2006 council candidate Justin McCusker report his house sold after many months of being on the market. His campaign manager took high offense last fall when the blog speculated Justin, who has no roots in Mission Viejo, could be gone with the wind.

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Humor from a blog reader: “Question: When people apply for welfare in Mexico, what does their government give them? Answer: A map of the United States.”

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The audience’s sentiment during the March 19 council meeting was nearly unanimous – illegal immigrants may not work for the city of Mission Viejo as employees, city contractors or employees of contractors. The only opposing view came from a Costa Mesa resident, who attended the meeting to tell Mission Viejo how to conduct business. Fortunately, the out-of-towner hadn’t donated large sums to any current council member’s campaign. All five council members sided with their constituents by supporting the proposed ordinance to verify eligibility for employment.

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It’s never too early for politicians to start raising cash for their next campaign. Councilman Frank Ury threw a poorly attended birthday fund-raiser for himself in February. Councilwoman Gail Reavis is having a fund-raiser in April. An activist commented about the lack of resident participation in the campaigns of incumbents. He said, “In 2006, incumbents’ cash beyond their own funds came largely from city vendors, not residents. If the incumbents need bodies carrying campaign signs in 2008, I suggest they call Steadfast and get the same hired hands who came to council meetings to promote affordable housing.” All five council members defied the wishes of residents by voting for Steadfast’s project.

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According to a blog reader who lives near Steadfast’s construction site at Jeronimo and Los Alisos, the developer is making mountains out of molehills. She emailed, “The northwest elevation is similar in appearance to The Matterhorn at Disneyland. Instead of bobsleds on a water ride, we’ll have kids from the affordable housing project racing down the slopes in Target’s shopping carts.”

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Awhile back The Buzz complimented Lake Forest’s city council for its leadership with an ordinance to prevent soliciting work while standing on the sidewalk. Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union zapped Lake Forest by filing a lawsuit, saying the city was infringing on day workers’ free speech. The Lake Forest council rescinded the ordinance on March 20.

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Kaleidoscope has a new surveillance system aimed to discourage teens from acting up or annoying other customers. The new system has 48 cameras and monitors and a price tag of $83,000. Bad publicity about rowdy teens at the shopping center made its way into newspapers last summer and got the city council’s attention. Parents who want to check on their teenagers can access the Webcam at shopkaleidoscope.com.