Art or Roadside Oddity?
by Bo Klein

A recent blog editorial questioned the quality of Mission Hospital’s sculpture near the corner of Crown Valley Parkway and Medical Center Drive. I was a member of the Mission Viejo Planning Commission during the design phase of the hospital’s expansion project. The plans for sculpture grew from the commission’s request that the hospital create an aesthetically pleasing corner.

Constraints of the hospital’s plans included large structures on limited remaining space for expansion. As a result, structures were placed close to the street. Such placement not only detracts from the architecture, it makes the area look overbuilt and crowded. To offset the project’s design constraints, the hospital agreed to incorporate a tower into the building and place sculptural art near the corner. I’ve recently driven by the sculpture, and it doesn’t improve the visual impact, nor is there a flow or consistency between the building and the artwork.

The sculpture comes across as a corporate logo for the hospital. A hospital spokesperson recently said in a newspaper interview that the sculpture is a reference to caduceus. Despite what it’s supposed to convey, the appearance falls short of my expectation.

In a news story about the sculpture, a city spokesman said Crown Valley Parkway is a gateway to the city, and the drive-by art gives everyone a sense of arrival. Arrival to what? Crown Valley has degenerated into a slow-moving freeway for cut-through traffic to Las Flores, Ladera Ranch and other developments to the east. The unattractive intermingling of apartments and businesses along Crown Valley conflicts with the objectives of a planned community.

In my opinion, the choice of design for the sculpture doesn’t add aesthetic value to the corner. What’s evident to those who frequently travel Crown Valley is the continual decline of the vicinity due to mismanaged traffic and building without adequate concern for aesthetics.

April 2 Council Meeting Summary
Editorial staff

Items of interest on the April 2 council agenda included city contracts for waste disposal and the discussion of transportation issues. The council adopted resolutions regarding completion of the 241 Foothill South corridor and formed an ad hoc committee to discuss an east-west arterial between Antonio Parkway and the 73.

One resident spoke during public comments about parking problems near the sports fields on Alicia Parkway at Via Linda. Neighborhood streets, including Via Logrono, are posted to disallow park visitors from parking on residential streets. The speaker cited safety and noise problems, as well as the inconvenience caused by park users whose cars block RV access drives and prevent residents from using spaces near their homes. Staff members acknowledged they knew about the problems. No explanation was given as to why the city hadn’t responded on the basis of residents’ complaints. The city will direct sports leagues to inform park users not to park on residential streets. Despite posted signs being ignored by park users, the council took no other action to enforce measures already in place.

The council acted on two items related to a moratorium, due to expire May 16, on allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in Mission Viejo. One item was disposed of quickly with a 5-0 vote to pass an ordinance prohibiting land uses that contravene state or federal law. The council also amended city code to add a section prohibiting all land uses in violation of state or federal law. Federal law allows prosecution of marijuana growers and users, including those who have a doctor’s approval.

Councilman John Paul Ledesma nominated Jay Standish as his Investment Advisory Board appointee, and the council unanimously approved.

A lengthy discussion followed the introduction of recommendations regarding contracts with waste haulers. The council voted 5-0 to extend the agreement with Madison Materials for processing of construction and demolition waste through Dec. 31, 2010. With a 5-0 vote, the council approved raising the gate fee charged to Mission Viejo customers for recycling and processing construction and demolition waste at Madison Materials’ processing facility. Also with a 5-0 vote, the council directed staff to prepare an amendment to the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with Waste Management through Dec. 31, 2010. With Councilman Ledesma dissenting, the council voted 4-1 to accept a rate increase to $58.10 per ton for waste-to-energy diversion requested by Waste Management for commercial customers.

As odd commentary, various staff members and at least one council member said suggested actions (usually referred to as recommendations) by the ad hoc committee and city staffers weren’t recommendations. At one point, Mayor Gail Reavis asked council members to state any discussions they had held with waste contractors, and all five members said they had participated in such discussions. What the mayor should have requested is total amounts each council member had accepted from waste contractors as campaign donations. According to their campaign finance reports, all five council members accepted significant amounts from both Ware Disposal and Waste Management. Residents should not expect an objective discussion among elected officials in conducting city business with their campaign financiers. As no surprise, all council comments about waste haulers were highly favorable. Also noteworthy, Ledesma was the only council member who voted against having the city’s largest businesses pay a substantial rate increase. A city staff member quickly pointed out that the rate increase wouldn’t affect residents. However, council members ran on platforms of being “business friendly,” and only Ledesma voted against the increase.

Councilwoman Kelley made a motion for the city to donate $5,000 toward Saddleback College’s Veterans Memorial, which has a total price tag of $200,000. Kelley, as usual, focused on herself and her role in the project. The council unanimously approved the $5,000 expenditure, and a public speaker supported the project, which will be funded with donations. The city’s $5,000 contribution will pay for a bench and plaque. Residents might be amazed at the low price, considering the last time the council paid for a place for the public to sit. On March 19, a council majority approved more than $375,000 for a bathroom in Melinda Park.

Councilman Ledesma introduced an item “to build common ground” between the city governments of San Juan Capistrano and Mission Viejo. An ad hoc committee comprised of Councilmen Ledesma and Frank Ury will work with San Juan Capistrano’s ad hoc committee regarding an east-west alternative to widening Ortega Highway. Mission Viejo’s ad hoc committee will present a report at the next council meeting, April 16.

Capistrano USD Update
Business as usual, needs go unmet

Meetings will be held Sat., April 21, 8:30 a.m. and Mon., April 23, 7:00 p.m. at 27430 Morro Drive, Mission Viejo. The same content will be presented at each meeting. Organizers are gathering support to demand a theatre at Capistrano Valley High School for the students of Mission Viejo. Following is the message being distributed to parents and other Capistrano Unified School District residents.

The battle cry of CUSD, to the state of California, is equalization. It is time for CUSD to equalize facilities at their high schools. CUSD residents of Mission Viejo must stand up and fight for what is right for the children who attend Capistrano Valley High School or no one will do it. CVHS is the ONLY high school in South Orange County without a performing arts facility. CVHS opened in 1977 and is nearing its 30th anniversary. In 30 years, the CUSD leadership has not even attempted to right the wrong of not providing equal facilities to high school students in the district. CVHS waited 25 years to get a pool, which was built only because parents and community members decided the students had waited long enough. After the April 2 CUSD board meeting, it has become clear that the only way the students of our city are going to get the facility they deserve is if the community forces the project.

During the board meeting, a discussion was held regarding the need for a synthetic track and field at the new San Juan Hills High School (SJHHS). The four old trustees, Stiff, Darnold, Draper and Benecke, went on at length about how unfair it would be for the students of SJHHS not to have what the students at the other district high schools have. Even though there will only be between 600 and 800 students and there will be no varsity sports, they stated all students at each school should have comparable facilities. They even went on about how the fields were classrooms that served many students. The cost of the new track and field is approximately $2.5 million, much more than the other schools’ tracks and fields. Part of the reason for this high cost is that they apparently planned and installed grading, drainage and irrigation for a standard track and field, and this must be removed and changed.

Two recently elected trustees, Addonizio and Christensen, questioned the timing of this $2.5-million expense, considering the serious facility needs in the district. Addonizio added that the trustees should not forget that CVHS still awaits a theatre. Benecke snapped back that Addonizio needed a lesson in funding.

Given that the four old-guard trustees have not figured out a way to provide equitable facilities to CVHS students after 30 years, it seems they are the ones who need a lesson in funding.

One person attending the meeting stated, “Benecke's poor behavior as the president of the board is reprehensible. She is rude, arrogant and behaves in a very unprofessional manner. In fact, she has no manners. She publicly treats the three new trustees and the public rudely and with disdain and, therefore, treats all of us badly. She is telling us that the representatives we elected have no say in what the board does. I have never seen such poor behavior by an elected official in a public meeting. The board's behavior sent a message to the constituency – they don't care that our students don't have the proper educational facilities as long as SJHHS does. We must make them care!”

The school has formed a foundation to help build a theatre. The annual fund-raising event will be held Sat., April 28, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Please pass along this information and invite others. CVHS needs a theatre NOW! For information about the fundraiser, email bskalsky@gmail.com.

The Buzz column, April 7

Reader feedback: “Christy” wrote, “Why doesn’t Mission Viejo have a dog park? You’d think with all the parks we have and all the families, there’d be a dog park where we could all socialize as well.”

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Another reader emailed, “Please get me any and all information on ordinances put in place by the city to keep illegals off the streets. I am trying to shut down another city’s Day Labor Center, and I need help finding the legal strength of city ordinances.”

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 “MV Homeowner” wrote, “I am one disgusted neighbor living in the Barcelona housing tract. When I come home at the end of the day and drive through the neighborhood, I see a bunch of neglected homes. I don’t live in the ghetto – I live in Mission Viejo. If you care about our neighborhood and/or if you’re as concerned about your property values as I am, please help. I can’t do this by myself. I’m enclosing a list of laws and rules pertaining to maintenance for homes in Mission Viejo. This information is available on the City of Mission Viejo Website, http://cityofmissionviejo.org/depts/cd/ce.html, or you can call the City of Mission Viejo Code Enforcement Division at (949) 470-3055. I have reported numerous violations, and the city responds quickly by inspecting the property and enforcing the rules. All it takes is a phone call – no need to worry about anyone finding out, as it is completely anonymous. With your help, we can clean up this neighborhood and make it a nice place to live. I have figured out a way to improve things if you will please do these two things: 1) Make 10 copies of this letter and send it to other people in our neighborhood, 2) Commit to calling in at least one complaint a week.”

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Another reader informed The Buzz about numerous break-ins and thefts in a neighborhood near the lake, stating that young people are the likely culprits. The reader gave a specific address and added, “I think drugs are involved. No one at [house number and street] works, and numerous expensive cars are frequently parked in front of the house. One teenage visitor seems to be driving a different car each week. I reported all this to police officers, who told me no one else in the neighborhood has filed a complaint. I find it difficult to believe that no one is reporting crimes. If something isn’t done about it, the problem will get worse.”

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The Buzz has repeatedly quoted a police officer who works for the city of Newport Beach, which has its own police force. He said, “Mission Viejo isn’t the safest city, it just has the highest number of unreported crimes.” This assessment is consistent with residents’ emails to the blog about drug activity in their neighborhoods, including marijuana being grown in attics and back yards. To make sure a complaint gets into the record, check the Sheriff’s blotter at http://ocsd.org. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select eServices. Choose “Sheriff’s blotter” and then select Mission Viejo when prompted to name a city. A call for police action should correspond with an entry on the blotter.

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Vision test: Buzz readers commented about city banners decorating poles along Marguerite Parkway, adding they’re not well designed or attractive. If a driver is going 45 m.p.h., the banners appear to say: “(unreadable) SPRING (unreadable).” The small print should read, “Your tax dollars paid for this distraction.”

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Some city activists are still pondering the November 2006 council election. One wrote, “With the incumbents being unpopular, someone should have been able to knock them out. Diane Greenwood had all the advantages a challenger could hope for. She was No. 1 on the ballot, which is a huge advantage. Only two women ran for three open seats, another huge advantage. Her campaign had out-of-town money and funding from a lobbyist, as well as professional consulting. Council Member Frank Ury gave money and stood on street corners for her – an acclaimed conservative promoting a pro-abortion, lifelong Democrat. She was the only real Democrat among 10 candidates in the election. How could anyone lose with that many advantages?”

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A reader informed the Buzz that cow-plop jokes aren’t just for junior high kids. “Bill” pointed to a fund-raiser for Capo High School, in which attendees can buy bingo squares on a field. The winning square is wherever a cow first plops. Bill’s assessment, “Get the cow-plop back where it belongs … at City Hall.”