The Buzz

A resident of San Juan Capistrano provided an interesting tip, quoting an attorney from SJC with regard to overcrowding a single-family home with multiple families or other occupants. “There is indeed a way to limit the number of people in a single-family residence. There are laws against ‘lodgers’ or turning your home into a motel – you cannot do it.” Others at a meeting in SJC where the topic came up said, “There is such a law, and it can prohibit too many people from residing in one single-family residence.” This is entirely opposite what’s being presented by Mission Viejo’s city attorney to the sleeping circus on the council. The Buzz thanks the SJC reader for information deserving follow up.

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Mission Viejo residents who gave input at the May 6 OC Board of Supervisors meeting were in agreement. The candidate who becomes permanent Sheriff of Orange County should be familiar with the county, its communities, residents, geography and everything else. One MV resident gave an example: the candidate should know where Fashion Island is, how to get into it and how to get out of it.

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According to the May 10 OC Register, the county supervisors shortened their list to nine candidates for sheriff. The short list includes Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson, Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, 2006 OC Sheriff candidates Ralph Martin and Bill Hunt, Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams, Salt Lake Co. Undersheriff Beau Babka, San Bernardino Co. Undersheriff Richard Beemer, Anaheim Deputy Police Chief Craig Hunter and L.A. Division Chief Sandra Hutchens.

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The county supervisors are not in an enviable position in appointing a permanent sheriff, as political pressure and attacks are intense. At the May 6 BOS meeting, two public speakers lambasted Santa Ana Police Chief Walters, saying he has personal and financial baggage. Proponents of outsiders said only an outsider could restore integrity to a “corrupt department.” A Mission Viejo resident later reacted by saying any candidate who maligns the OCSD and its 4,000 dedicated men and women is not suited to leading them.

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Information is emerging that Capo USD Supt. Woodrow Carter signed an illegal contract. Some residents may remember his making a big public to-do over saving money for a cash-strapped school district by rejecting a contract giving him a raise. Legally, Carter cannot accept a contract after rejecting it, but he later privately signed the contract. Additionally, Carter and school board President Mike Darnold signed a contract that hadn’t been approved by the board. Allegedly, someone illegally penned in a golden parachute clause for Carter as well. Is an early exit already anticipated?

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Where is the Or. Co. District Attorney these days? Why isn’t he prosecuting politicians and public officials who are either so corrupt they break the law or so incompetent they break the law? D.A. Tony Rackauckas is quite busy endorsing candidates for the June 3 Primary, and voters should ask themselves what T-Rack’s endorsement means. T-Rack became the D.A. in 1998 after his predecessor, Mike Capizzi, was disavowed by the county bigwigs. Capizzi had angered the good ol’ boys by prosecuting their corrupt political brethren.

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Some parents who closely follow CUSD say that Carter’s way of doing things is very much like former supt. James Fleming’s way. As a primary difference, Carter plays up his claim of openness, and he’s more affable than Fleming was. Carter’s exterior impressed some folks, including at least one of the “reform” trustees who loudly sang his praises the day he was hired. Instead of embracing and praising the unknown, most others withheld early judgment. Who should become the next superintendent? How about an involved parent who knows the district, has shown ethical leadership and has a professional background in finance? Does anyone know such a person?