The Buzz column, Feb. 8

Mission Viejo residents who attended the Feb. 6 Coastal Commission meeting regarding the proposed 241 extension included longtime community activists. One who opposes the extension said, “Fighting the toll road is similar to fighting the El Toro commercial airport.” Outsiders, the big money, developers, contractors and politicians are lined up against the residents who want a better plan.

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The Ranch Plan with 14,000 homes is predicated on roads being built to accommodate its traffic. Even if the TCA’s appeal of the Coastal Commission’s decision is successful, completion of the 241 could be delayed for years. Consider also that the Capo school district’s $150-million showcase high school, San Juan Hills High School, is supposed to serve students from The Ranch. With the housing market in a slump and no developer fees or Mello-Roos money on the horizon, why is a nearly bankrupt school district still discussing more frills at SJHHS at this time?

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Former CUSD administrators James Fleming and Susan McGill were in court Feb. 8 when Orange County Superior Court Judge Carla Singer set the date for their felony trial. Pre-trial motions will be heard April 18, and a jury trial will begin April 28. The two defendants were indicted by a grand jury over the alleged creation of an enemies list. The list includes parents who led the 2005 effort to recall all seven CUSD trustees. Some of the parents’ children were also on the list. Fleming is charged with misappropriation of public funds, use of school funds to defeat a ballot measure or candidate and conspiracy. McGill is charged with perjury and conspiracy.

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Reader comment: “I drove from one end to the other of the retail area at La Paz and Marguerite, on the north and south sides of La Paz. The whining about the condition of the buildings is groundless, and almost no spaces are vacant. I saw one building that is due for painting, but that’s routine maintenance. I did see an enormous amount of trash on city property, including the entire length La Paz Road along the street and curbs. Instead of obsessing about private property, the city and its two or three constant critics should take a look at the litter along streets and on city property, which is very noticeable.”

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After the Berkeley City Council’s recent attempt to oust a Marine Corps recruiting station, the San Juan Capistrano council took action. SJC Councilman Tom Hribar is drafting a resolution inviting the Marine Corps to come on down to San Juan Capistrano. Hribar was quoted in the SJC Dispatch, “I personally would welcome a Marine Corps recruiting station in my town.” As the next step, the full SJC council will consider Hribar’s resolution.