The Buzz column, July 20

The July 20 OC Register reported Orange County received a Homeland Security grant for $13.8-million – about one-third of the $39 million the county requested. Perhaps Sheriff Mike Carona tapped the county’s grant money to buy his new toy, a supersize RV resembling a yacht on wheels. The “recreational vehicle” – that’s what it is – is equipped with such things as a 50-inch plasma screen. If this pricey bus isn’t enough to make taxpayers sick, consider the name, “Samantha One.” Has the sheriff not gotten enough mileage from the tragic death of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion?

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How does a neighborhood rid itself of renters who are dealing drugs? Here’s a message from savvy blog readers, who said, “First, we reported the drug use and trafficking to the police, who arrested the suspects. Then, we got the phone number of the homeowner, who knowingly or unknowingly had rented out his property to people who seemed pretty questionable. We gave all the neighbors the phone number so they could call the owner and complain about the tenants. It must have worked, because the drug dealers are moving out.”

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Several blog readers who are following the Capo school district turmoil have asked for a Website address to review the grand jury testimony. At this time, the document is available only at the courthouse in Santa Ana. The report must be read while there, and copies cannot be purchased. Information coming from those reviewing the testimony makes a couple things clear. First, the Waldrip Report (the district’s self-investigation of wrongdoing that found no serious problem) was a sham. Second, the four remaining Fleming-era trustees are toast. Whether they resign, get recalled or run for reelection in November 2008, they’ll be gone.

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Other frequently asked questions: 1) Where exactly is former CUSD superintendent James Fleming? 2) Is Deputy Superintendent David Doomey (which should be spelled DO-me) still on the payroll? Fleming is still around, especially with his next court appearance on Aug. 10. Lawyers speculated at his July 13 arraignment that his trial could take 14 to 16 days. If convicted of three felony charges, Fleming could serve up to four years in prison. David DO-me, whose unofficial title could have been deputy liar, resigned at the end of the school year.

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The city’s budget, which the council passed July 2, has been criticized as irresponsible. Other complaints relate to the council’s approval of the electronic sign at La Paz and Marguerite (passed 3-2 with MacLean, Ury and Kelley voting yes). A letter in the July 20 Saddleback Valley News requests the council not proceed with the new sign. Residents should realize the council has decided, and the contract to install the sign was approved. This council rarely brings back an item, and when it does, the situation can get worse. A memorable example is Trish Kelley bringing back the defeated redevelopment deal to pass it against overwhelming community opposition. The electronic sign was rejected in previous years when only MacLean and Kelley supported it. Ury this time added his vote to pass it.

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Here’s a report about the July 2 council meeting from someone who attended: “Very few people were in the audience, and most of us waiting to speak came specifically to object to the electronic message board. I was surprised the agenda item for the sign was addressed last when people were waiting to speak on it. When the consent calendar came up, there was dead silence with no council member pulling any item. As you know, members of the public are no longer permitted to pull items for discussion. Finally, John Paul Ledesma pulled the sign item for discussion. Before he pulled it, I thought for a moment the sign would be passed unanimously as part of the consent calendar. By the time the sign was discussed, it was the very last item with no possibility of delaying it any further. This reminds me very much of the days of Butterfield and Withrow.”