The Buzz column, June 29

Email to The Buzz from a resident regarding legal notices in Saddleback Valley News: “Read the fine print in Public Notices. On July 9, the Planning Commission will hear two proposals to add cell phone antennas and wireless facilities. The first proposal would add nine antennas at 23391 Via Bahia at the Moulton Niguel Water Tank Facility (near Trabuco and Alicia). The second proposal would add six antennas on a 50-foot pole, plus a GPS antenna and a shelter at Mission Hills Church, 24162 Alicia Parkway.”

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Email from a reader with additional critical feedback on the council’s meddling in private property at La Paz and Marguerite: “I saw the report from the Urban Land Institute, including ULI’s claim the shopping center is declining. I drove from one end to the other and found it to be in good condition. In fact, it is in far better shape than most other retail centers in the city. Maybe it’s the Mediterranean or Spanish-style architecture the ULI doesn’t like. I think the council wants to raze the present shopping center and put up four-story buildings with apartments on top, so they paid an outside agency back up their opinion. The council paid for the ULI report with our tax money and will use it as a weapon against private property owners.”

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Email with regard to an Orange County magazine: “I’m receiving unsolicited copies of an Orange County magazine titled Red County. Who is paying for this? Is it the official Orange County Republican magazine?” The Buzz finds no official ties between Red County and the county’s Republican Party. Instead, the magazine appears to be controlled by a lobbyist and funded by politicians and advertisers. If the publisher weren’t giving it away with free subscriptions, very few people would see the lobbyist’s message.

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A reader commented about a former self-proclaimed city watchdog – the one who was acting as if he were Diane Greenwood’s campaign manager in the 2006 city election. The comment: “The former watchdog, former member of the Committee for Integrity in Government, former member of Saddleback Republican Assembly, former speaker against redevelopment, etc. has turned into a pro-abort, pro-redevelopment, conservative-bashing gadfly.” Well, hold the phone on that. The former-everything guy is already back to claiming he’s a pro-life, anti-redevelopment conservative.

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A Buzz reader sent information this week to assert that persistence pays, and a drug house in Mission Viejo has been shut down. Drug dealers were taken to jail. Through persistent vigilance of neighbors, the police received plenty of information to make arrests. Reports from neighbors included a marijuana farm in the attic of the house, cars coming and going at all hours and a large delivery to the house in duffle bags. Reports led to charges against the dealers at the time of their arrests. The person contacting The Buzz added, “All of this was taking place at a location that was practically across the street from a park with soccer fields and in the vicinity of the council’s next target for affordable housing at La Paz and Marguerite.”

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Has anyone noticed the difference in the amount of time it takes the council to comply with residents’ wishes (forever) versus the time it takes to implement the council’s own wish (immediately)? Two weeks ago, the council was “merely seeking price information” on an electronic sign for the corner of La Paz and Marguerite. The council on July 2 will vote on awarding the $143,030 sign contract to S. Parker Engineering. Residents’ comments at meetings and in letters to the editor are largely against an electronic sign. The Buzz recommends that residents attend the July 2 meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at city hall. Here’s a practical idea: don’t rely on logical argument against an electronic sign because this council doesn’t operate on logic. A large group of residents is harder to ignore.