The Buzz

Will council incumbents keep their seats this fall after approving $10 million in change orders over a $5-million project? While trolling for the votes of senior citizens, council members might have become confused with the sheer number of cost overruns at the community and senior center expansion. Perhaps grateful seniors will hold the incumbents’ banners on street corners during the election this fall.

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As a trend in city elections, incumbents have experienced diminishing supporters willing to campaign for them. Councilman Lance MacLean may have set a record in his 2006 reelection campaign. Beyond his immediately family, MacLean had zero supporters holding up his signs.

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City hall officials publicly explained the $10-million overrun for the expansion project as due largely to inflation and the rising cost of building materials. As a basis for comparison, look at a similar project that ran parallel to Mission Viejo’s community and senior center expansion. The Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club recently completed the $7-million expansion of its complex. According to a spokesperson at the club, the expansion was projected at $7 million and completed at $7 million. Apparently, the skyrocketing inflation that hit Mission Viejo didn’t similarly throw the Coto project for a loop.

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A blog contributor did double-duty on March 29, covering the events of two cities. He first stopped by Mission Viejo’s all-day event at the community center, featuring such exciting exhibits as “green living.” His report: “Mission Viejo’s event was dead. The onsite radio broadcast from Saddleback College KSBR didn’t help, as you could hear it in their voices.” He next went to Swallows Day in San Juan Capistrano, which had 45,000 people in attendance. That’s pretty good for a city with a population of 35,000.

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Parents, teachers, children and other community members rallied at the corner of La Paz and Marguerite as a show of support for school funding on the afternoon of March 28. Approximately 30 participants held signs that read “No teacher left behind,” “Cut from the top,” and “Save our schools,” plus hand-lettered signs made by children. Parents organized the rally to protest such budget cuts as laying off teachers and raising the number of students per classroom. Those taking part said the rally drew a positive reaction from passersby.

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The Parents Advocate League, a school-support group, is suggesting that everyone wear black on April 1 to show support for teachers and students. The idea came from a parent at Don Juan Elementary in Aliso Viejo as an activity for the Capistrano district. The word spread, and supporters throughout other districts are joining in.