The Buzz column, Oct. 5

Steadfast should have heeded residents’ advice four years ago and dropped its housing plans. According to information provided by blog readers, Steadfast is still obligated to pay the city the $2-million in-lieu fee for not providing recreation space in its plans to build condos at Jeronimo and Los Alisos. The fact it hasn’t built any condos won’t make the fee go away, and the due date is imminent. The question remains if the city can put pressure on Target as Steadfast’s business partner if Steadfast doesn’t pay up.

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An article in the Oct. 5 Saddleback Valley News quoted Steadfast spokesman Ralph Deppisch about the housing market’s decline. He first said Steadfast has “no plans to develop,” and he later said Steadfast’s property will be assessed on a quarterly basis for developing. A blog reader responded, “They can check for a pulse as often as they want, but their condo project is dead.”

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The city planning department says it’s getting many calls from residents about Sunrise Senior Living trying to buy the Casta del Sol golf course. The proposal has not been presented to the city, although Sunrise has lobbied individual council members. The pictures of a senior living facility in a park-like setting are reminiscent of the Great Park campaign, in which a predominant use of the former El Toro air station became housing. Casta del Sol residents question if “park use” includes a skateboard park, hills and ramps for bicycle acrobatics, day-and-night sports fields or a sports complex – hardly comparable with the quiet of a golf course. Also worth noting, every photo in the Sunrise brochure showing public use of the proposed park involves taxpayer funding.

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A Casta resident said, “I won’t vote for any council member who supports housing on the golf course.” Such support probably won’t be known until after the 2008 election. By that time, council members will receive checks for their campaign treasuries, and voters will have to wait two more years to throw incumbents out of office. Why speculate on which council members will sell their constituents down the river? Check their voting records on such as issues as “affordable” welfare housing, rezoning commercial properties, redevelopment, supporting a tax increase, marketing cell towers on public property, etc. Records are known, and they’re dismal.

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Those with dedication, as well as patience and time, can participate in another discussion about a dog park. A public workshop will be held on Tues., Oct. 16, at 7:00 p.m., during the Community Services Commission meeting at city hall. The announcement reads: “The City is seeking input from the community about the possible construction of a dog park in Mission Viejo. Dog park elements have been preliminary identified. Alicia Park and Oso Viejo Park remain under consideration after extensive site selection research. Additional sites may be considered in the future. For more information call 470-3061.” Blog staffers believe the city staff doesn’t want a dog park in Mission Viejo, and the process of “finding one” will continue until all interested parties walk away, move to another city or die of old age.

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Only one of the current Capo school district trustees, Ellen Addonizio of Mission Viejo, has credentials, experience and a professional background in finance. Addonizio continues to be the true reform leader on the dais, and Mission Viejo residents can be proud of her commitment to getting money back into the classrooms.

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Bill Hunt’s lawsuit against Sheriff Mike Carona moved forward toward a trial with the recent federal court decision to deny Carona’s motion to dismiss. In the 2006 election, Hunt, a San Clemente resident and lieutenant in the Sheriff’s Dept., ran against Carona. Hunt’s claim includes Carona’s abuse of office and interference with Hunt’s constitutionally protected free speech. After Carona won in the Primary Election with 50.6 percent, Hunt was demoted and lost his assignment as Police Services Chief in San Clemente. Hunt is seeking compensatory damages and restoration of his assignment as San Clemente police chief.