The Buzz column, Oct. 27

Readers continue to comment about the proposed dog park, with most saying the process has been compromised by bureaucracy. A dog-park enthusiast said, “The logical location is the lot adjacent to the animal shelter. That site would be the most economical, and part of what’s needed – fencing and a double-gate – is already there. The animal shelter has no nearby homes, and no nearby residents will be disturbed. Instead of putting the dog park in the obvious place, the focus has been diverted by those with political influence to build it where it doesn’t belong.”

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When Councilwoman Trish Kelley was involved in the Capo PTA prior to running for office, she did whatever former Supt. James Fleming told her to do. She campaigned for Measure A, asking Mission Viejo residents to tax themselves. When CUSD spent only $800 of Measure A money on Newhart Middle School, why wasn’t she outraged? Deputy Supt. David DO-Me (Doomey) stood before the council in 2003 presenting lies regarding the Audi redevelopment deal, and Kelley was starry-eyed. During the first recall effort of CUSD trustees, Kelley continued supporting the Fleming regime when she should have been outraged that Mission Viejo schools were falling apart. She promoted Fleming-era trustees during city council meetings after they built a $52-million administration building instead of repairing Mission Viejo schools. Anyone who had a clue was outraged.

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Information was announced at the Oct. 15 council meeting regarding the city’s audit of CUSD showed Mission Viejo Mello-Roos dollars were used in other cities. Kelley was quoted in the Oct. 23 OC Register, saying, “I am outraged.” Oh, really?

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The city’s inability to manage the Crown Valley Parkway widening project is well-known among Mission Viejo residents. The traffic backup would be even worse if locals didn’t know how to cut through neighborhoods to avoid the clogged arterial. On the day San Diegans were streaming through this area to escape wildfires, OC Register columnist Frank Mickadeit was evidently stalled with the rest of them. In his Oct. 25 column, he said he spent 30 minutes driving one mile between the I-5 and Marguerite Parkway … “because apparently nobody thought that roadwork reducing three lanes to one might not be the smartest thing to do when people are semi-panicking to get home … .”

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Mission Viejo residents who can stand to watch city council meetings might have caught a comment by Councilman Frank Ury during the cell tower discussion. He said ATS, which was awarded a $200,000 contract to develop a wireless master plan, also created a “free” study for citywide Wi-Fi. According to Ury’s comments, this “side benefit” that was neither requested nor funded by the city, came from out of the blue – a complete surprise! Does anyone believe a contractor provides a free service without any provocation or discussion whatsoever? Even the handful of activists who supported Ury’s campaign in 2004 now seem to realize the misrepresentation they empowered.