The Buzz

Easelgate update: since mid-April, activists have tracked the 500-plus easels built by a city contractor for the city staff’s yearlong 20th anniversary bash. While a portion of the easels were donated to schools and church groups after activists raised a ruckus over the waste, up to 200 were taken to a county dump before any were given away. Easels not given away were left outside to deteriorate. Activists now report that remaining easels disappeared after a city staff member said they had to be moved because of a project at the city yard. Photographs of the easels just prior to their removal showed they were warped and useless.

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Isn’t it interesting how bad news surfaces after an election? Councilman Frank Ury’s campaign literature painted Mission Viejo as a city awash in cash. He claimed, “Frank’s financial leadership helped Mission Viejo to earn a 400% above-average savings and achieve record budget reserves – without higher taxes.” Huh? The city clerk’s report released on Nov. 28 indicated the city during the past year spent approximately $12 million more than it took in. Among the big-ticket items, the council approved a community center expansion that ran three times over budget. Blog staffers should calculate how much the city employees blew on their 20th anniversary party (which will continue up until the day their 21st anniversary party begins).

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Despite all the hype emanating from city hall, residents continue to deplore spending $360,000-plus on a Rose Parade float. A blog reader commented: “I noticed how many young children are in the photo working on the float. Many of them are wearing scout uniforms, indicating they were drawn into the activity on the guise it is community service. Parents who want their children to participate in community service should consider the result, which has no benefit to the community.” Newspapers are filled with pleas to help people in need – food banks, toy drives and other charitable work.

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Whose idea was it for the city to have a float in the Rose Parade? Because City Manager Dennis Wilberg and City Attorney Bill Curley have a history of involvement on their own, they’ve been suspected of influencing the council majority to buy in. An insider says Councilman Lance MacLean was the primary instigator. While Wilberg and Curley may have encouraged him, MacLean led the charge.

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Have council members in the majority (Trish Kelley and Lance MacLean) received calls from OC Republican Party boss Scott Baugh directing them to select Ury as the next mayor? Council members in 2006 revealed Baugh had called to tell them who to vote for. Maybe he called this year as well, but it wasn’t necessary. Kelley and MacLean made deals with Ury to oust Councilwoman Gail Reavis. It’s payback time.