Easelgate Update, July 26

On July 23, the city released public records requested on July 10 by community activist Lisa De Paul-Snyder. She went to city hall on July 25 to review files she requested regarding city contractor Jamey Clark, who apparently constructed 500 easels at $45 an hour. Clark’s contracts aren’t the only point of investigation, but the huge amounts he charged between January and May are among the few places a city administrator could have hidden costs of the city’s 20th anniversary photo display, now estimated at more than $90,000.

Activists have begun reviewing approximately 2,000 pages of Clark’s files. De Paul-Snyder earlier found discrepancies between claims made by city administrator Keith Rattay and Clark’s invoices that were included in her May 23 request for public records. Clark’s invoice amounts spiked during January, the same month “150 volunteers” allegedly donated 800 hours toward assembling easels. Clark billed suspiciously high amounts for several months, and his two-year maintenance contract (2007-2009) was revised on April 7, 2008, from $471,450.00 to $601,450.00 for the current year. The “need” for an extra $130,000 in 2008 isn’t explained anywhere in city documents, but readers of this blog are getting a piece of the puzzle each week in “Easelgate Update.”

Clark has two city contracts, one for park inspection ($9,800.49 per month) and another one for maintenance and repair of city property. Clark and/or his employees inspect 53 city parks and facilities each month, essentially writing work orders for themselves. Clark then fulfills his work orders as part of his second contract. As examples of his fees, he changes light bulbs and removes graffiti for $38.50/hr. By the way, a child’s chalk drawing on a sidewalk and chalk marks on playground equipment are called graffiti. Menial jobs such as cleaning out a refrigerator have a tab of $45/hr, and Clark charges $45/hr to build easels. He spent five hours cleaning a drinking fountain eight times in one month for $225. In February, he painted logos on 35 trash cans for $3,325.00. If this doesn’t sound insane, perhaps it’s because Mission Viejo taxpayers have grown numb to being fleeced.

Activists will need another week to sort out Clark’s records for Easelgate.

Two of the city’s whoppers about Easelgate became evident weeks ago: 1) Despite Rattay’s claim of widespread community participation, the interest level was extremely low. Only 33 of 500 “free” disposable cameras were returned for the photo gallery, and quite a few of the 33 people returning the cameras are either staff members and/or they live outside Mission Viejo. Rattay claimed “10,000 people enjoyed the photo gallery,” a number fabricated from thin air. 2) Rattay first stated the cost of easels was $15 each (May 23 SVN). Figures provided by the city show the easels cost at least $40 each, and activists estimate the cost at more than $150 per easel ($75,000 for 500). Other costs of the photo display push estimates above $90,000.

What’s the big deal over a little lie here or there? The issue doesn’t end with the city destroying its own credibility. The city manager gave a list of 30 residents to SVN reporter Lindsey Baguio, allegedly for her to call for “balanced” reaction against unfavorable news about city hall. Why would self-respecting residents want their names associated with city-promoted lies?

Blog staff members appreciate the tips from community members who have contributed to the unraveling of Easelgate. The city has perpetuated lies and spin, which take time and investigation to disprove. Residents’ awareness is growing that the city is wasting tax dollars and doing its best to fool the public.