Unity Requires Common Goals
Staff editorial

Can community activists form a united front for the sake of improved city government?

The city’s most outspoken activists split into two groups shortly after celebrating the November 2002 defeat of longtime Councilwomen Sherri Butterfield and Susan Withrow. Prior to 2003, activists were united as members of Citizens for Integrity in Government. They had campaigned together to elect Trish Kelley and Lance MacLean as council newcomers in 2002.

A city council agenda item that put five CIG activists at odds with one of the organization’s core beliefs – opposition to redevelopment – was the Audi deal of 2003. A council majority of Ledesma, Reavis and Kelley had twice rejected a city staff recommendation of redevelopment dollars for the dealer. In July 2003, Kelley surprised almost everyone by bringing the item back for a third vote. Following the discussion, not only did Kelley join Councilmen Bill Craycraft and Lance MacLean in favor of corporate welfare for Audi, Councilman Ledesma voted with them. Kelley later disclosed via private email that Reavis (who cast the only dissenting vote in public) had supported the Audi deal in closed-session discussions.

Beyond Ledesma and Kelley voting for redevelopment (despite their 2002 campaign promises to the contrary), five CIG activists made public comments favoring redevelopment. They immediately drew criticism from other CIG members, and the activist organization stopped meeting soon after. At least three of the same five activists were duped in 2004 into campaigning for Frank Ury, who started laughing at them as soon as he was elected. At least three of the five activists campaigned in 2006 for Diane Greenwood, who benefited from the very developer donations they previously denounced.

Can all former CIG members reunite for the sake of the city’s future? One activist responded to such a blog query, “The fallen five placed their own quest for power and influence above principle. At best, they’re inconsistent. Some of them occasionally research a topic and provide valid data, but some of them also fabricate, misrepresent and deliberately mislead when it suits their purpose. Occasionally, they’re on the right side of issues, but it’s similar to a broken clock being right twice a day. ”

Activists of all stripes can work together if they have common goals. Most of the city’s activists continue working for open government and responsible leadership, as opposed to a few whose activism lacks consistency. The activists’ agreement in 2002 may have been due to an alignment of stars that happens only once in a lifetime.

Include Pets in Emergency Plan
Letter to the editor

The recent wildfires were a reminder of how important it is that pet owners include their animals in emergency preparedness. The American Humane Association published a list of precautions to help pet owners create a plan for animal care.

• Designate a member of the family to be in charge of gathering the pets in case of fire or other emergency.
• Prepare an emergency kit of leashes, food, medicines, bottled water and a copy of vaccinations in a waterproof bag near your pet carrier.
• Make sure your pet’s collar has up-to-date emergency cell phone numbers on it.
• Have a list of shelters and boarding facilities that might take pets if evacuation is needed. Some evacuation centers will not take pets.
• Consider getting a sign for a front window or other means of alerting rescuers and emergency personnel that a pet resides there.

Annemarie Swenson
Mission Viejo

Response from Readers

Council’s choice of logo and slogan
It doesn’t fit: you musta quit

I have the perfect "new" logo for Mission Viejo: 20 cars sitting at a red light! I notice this much more than I notice the trees. How about a new city slogan? I have one of those as well: Mission Viejo, the Ladera Ranch/RSM gateway to the freeway.

Mitch Kronowit
Mission Viejo

Capo school district
Two city councilmen are out of touch

I was at the city’s Drug Walk and afterwards attended the booths that were set up next to the community center. I happened to be standing next to Councilman Lance MacLean, who was explaining to a small group of people that the city’s audit of tax money going to the Capo school district didn't reveal much. He said that Aliso Viejo needed the money more at the time, and Mission Viejo's money would eventually come back to our city. He pointed out the improvements that are currently going on at Newhart and said there would be more at Capo Valley High School as well. This really angered me. He obviously does not have children in CUSD and has no concept of how upset CUSD Mission Viejo parents are. He apparently doesn’t agree with our mayor, who at least admitted to the school board that at Newhart they are "just putting lipstick on a pig." MacLean, as well as Councilman Frank Ury, whose children I know attend private school, will NOT be getting my vote come next election time.

(Name withheld by request)
Mission Viejo

City’s emergency preparedness
City needs an effective system

Mission Viejo and/or Orange County should have a reverse 911 system.  It is my understanding that M.V. does NOT have one. Hopefully, this matter will be brought to the City Council's attention.

Henry Robert Wolfe
Mission Viejo

Balance enrollment between school districts
Solutions are within reach

CUSD has too many students who cannot be accommodated in classrooms that are reasonably current or up to standards and SVUSD is closing schools. Why not transfer these CUSD students to SVUSD and stop spending good money on fixing bad portable classrooms?  We should start with students who are bused from the northern reaches of CUSD and save some fuel in the process.

Carl Schulthess
Mission Viejo

Support for Tyler’s ballot initiative on rezoning
Save our city – let voters decide

I concur with Dale Tyler's comment. I've lived here since '78. The Master Plan specifically outlines how many residential dwellings should be included to maintain the plan. Since 1978, I have seen school property sold for homes, placing multi-unit housing where it was never intended to be, and on and on. NO more rezoning without a public vote and open discussions. The city already FAR exceeds the original plan, and the increased traffic and congestion is just one of the many fall-outs from this bastardization of what was once called "the best master-planned community in America." ENOUGH!  Let's save what's left for all of us who've paid taxes here for many years. NO MORE residences. Let's save our city.

(Permission to use name not given)
Mission Viejo

More support for Tyler’s initiative
Let voters decide

I would support this initiative.

James Renzas
Mission Viejo

Golf course is unsuitable for housing
Find a better place for assisted living

I agree that the golf course would not be a suitable place for Sunrise to build, but I feel we do indeed need another assisted-living facility in Mission Viejo. Let's get rid of all the 6-bed RCFEs that have taken over our neighborhoods and make one large facility that can be properly monitored. Maybe Steadfast could sell their parcel by the new Target store to Sunrise since housing has slumped and it doesn't look like they'll be developing the land anytime soon. And Target would be within walking distance for the residents. It could be a win-win situation for everyone!

Elizabeth Yaeger
Mission Viejo

Blog should cover city meetings
Low attendance sends wrong message

We need to publish important city meetings such as the Housing Element in the blog.  Having only one attendee at the meeting gives the monkeys the idea that they alone rule the trees.

Carl Schulthess
Mission Viejo

Unite Mission Viejo Schools in One District
Letter to the editor

After having just participated and having resigned from the boundary committee representing Capistrano Valley High School, I can say with all honesty that CUSD is broken and the time it will take to fix the problems seems insurmountable with the current split on the school board.

With all that Mission Viejo has at stake, it seems apparent to me the city should investigate having all the schools in Mission Viejo secede from CUSD and join the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. Saddleback appears to have a plan in terms of facilities, finances and a relationship with their parents and students based upon mutual respect, trust and integrity – none of which is evident nor has been evident at CUSD for many years.

It may take some time, but I feel this is in the best interests of our city and our schools. As the cities in the southern end of CUSD continue to grow, the needs of schools in Mission Viejo will continue to be neglected. After having witnessed the conduct of the San Clemente Talega parents firsthand, I observed they couldn’t care less about the schools in Mission Viejo.

I urge our city council members to assess this and become the bridge in working with Saddleback Valley USD. Our city has lots to offer, and we need to take ownership of our city’s future and its quality of life.

Ron Frantz
Mission Viejo

CUSD Update
Editorial staff

On Dec. 10, the Capo school board changed Woodrow Carter’s status by dropping the word “interim” from his title. The vote to change his position to permanent superintendent was 7-0.

According to an article in the San Juan Capistrano Dispatch, Carter last September likened the school district to an aircraft carrier – slow to change direction. Some CUSD constituents have another reference in mind regarding ships, likening CUSD to the Titanic – already sinking when Carter jumped on board approximately three months ago. Despite Carter’s formation of subcommittees and other attempts at public relations, they say CUSD’s main direction is downward. An underlying leadership problem can be found in one of Carter’s “Carterisms” when he said his policy is to look ahead, not backwards.

Problems of the past – whether or not Carter chooses to look at them – are problems of the present. High-level administrative staffers (chosen by former Supt. James Fleming), district policies (designed by Fleming), fiscal irresponsibility (established by Fleming) and majority board members (hand-picked by Fleming) remain operational or in place. As part of Carter’s dilemma, he probably couldn’t dismiss high-level staffers even if he wanted to. Such changes would require approval by a majority of school board members. If the current effort by a community group to recall two holdover trustees doesn’t succeed, voters might have to wait until November 2008 to change the majority.
 

As a troubling sign that Carter either won’t or can’t address what’s wrong, he seemed at a November school board meeting to advocate spending $3 million on $an Juan Hill$ High $chool’s unfinished projects related to sports facilities. If he’s using former Supt. Fleming’s playbook – shell games and pitting one group of parents against another – should CUSD constituents expect positive change?

The school board – all seven members – and the superintendent should have been discussing how to cut expenditures to match anticipated financial reductions, particularly with the potential decline in state revenue for 2008. Other problems, including decreased funds from redevelopment agencies, are looming. One quick way to demonstrate responsible leadership is to stop talking about new toys, frills and nonessentials.

One CUSD parent reported seeing no signs that Carter’s aircraft carrier is turning around, but he might be having some success at public relations. She said that no group of parents – pro-reform or pro-leftovers – is completely pleased with Carter’s performance, which could be a sign he’s attempting to achieve balance.

The Buzz column, Dec. 21

A Buzz reader who resides in the Mission Viejo Environmental Association informed The Buzz about an ongoing message to HOA members. An announcement in the MVEA January-March 2008 report states: “Please be aware that after Feb. 1, 2008, homeowner plant material over 25’ may be requested to be reduced and/or removed to meet the Association’s Guidelines, and palm trees are not an exception.” The reader said, “Sounds like someone has a specific tree in mind that’s obstructing a view. If I get a request to top my palm trees, my neighbors will have an improved view of 24-foot-high stumps.”

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A reader reacts to councilman’s attitude: “It is easy to understand why the new mayor pro-tem [Frank Ury] considers that the other council members are incapable of making sound decisions. I wouldn’t be surprised if he resigns very soon. It would be wise for him to leave this constant turmoil and thus prove the other members can’t do without him. He could do better elsewhere working as a consultant or insultant.”

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A reader reacts to judge’s decision to delay the court proceedings of former CUSD administrators James Fleming and Susan McGill: “McGill’s attorney made a serious error in requesting a delay in the trial. He asked that the prosecution point to specific examples where McGill perjured herself. The request will result in the judge being required to read all of the grand jury testimony, which is a stunning revelation of the corruption and dishonesty of district officials. Without the attorney’s request, which introduces all of the testimony as evidence, the case against McGill wouldn’t be nearly as compelling.”

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A resident’s response to the city’s new tagline was reported on another Mission Viejo blog. The writer suggested that “Making living your mission,” should be the hospital’s tagline. “Making shopping your mission” should appear next to the shopping center. A Buzz reader added, “Next to city hall where council members park, put a sign that says ‘Making catfighting your mission.’”

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Forwarded by Editor-in-Chief Carl Schulthess, Theodore Roosevelt's ideas from 100 years ago on immigrants and being an American in 1907: "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the  English language. And we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is a loyalty to the American people."