The Buzz, May 21

A Mission Viejo resident commented: “I’m wondering what the city’s reaction would have been if someone had vandalized easels left out for days during the city’s 20th anniversary celebration. If a vandal had been caught, would the city press charges for destroying or stealing 200 easels? I see no difference between a vandal destroying public property and a city employee destroying public property.”

***

A resident posted information on a county blog about Mission Viejo city administrator Keith Rattay sending a memo to staffers. He directed them to inform supervisors of any conversations they have with council members. It causes bloggers to wonder which issue prompted the reaction. Could it be Easelgate? As a humorous side note of the easel story, on May 5 an activist asked for a tour of the city yard to check out the easels. A city staff member told her she couldn’t take pictures because of “Homeland Security issues.” The activist then asked specifically if she could take pictures of the easels stored outside the fence. The staffer said, “No. We don’t want any more pictures in the papers.” Sounds more like Job Security issues.

***

A blog contributor forwarded information from the Registrar of Voters: “We mailed nearly 214,000 sample ballots today for the CUSD School District Special Recall election. Voters in the District will have two sample ballots now (one with a blue banner for the June 3rd Primary and one with a gold banner for the CUSD election). Some voters have asked why the elections did not take place on the same date. California election law requires that a specific period of time elapse between the certification of the petitions which authorize the election and the actual election date. This time was beyond the time allowed to consolidate with the June Primary election, which requires the separate special election. Permanent vote-by-mail ballots for this election will be mailed May 27th. Voters will have until June 24th to return their ballots. Poll sites will also be operational in the District on June 24th.”

***

For those looking ahead to the city council race in November, another potential challenger emerged last week. The new total is two incumbent council members and five potential challengers in the race for two seats. At the current rate of adding one challenger a week, imagine the possibilities. The November election is 23 weeks away.

***

Blog staffers wish everyone a happy Memorial Day on May 26. Have a safe, restful weekend.