Latest Poll Sinks 2010 Float

The city staff and council seem to place great value on OC Register polls. In an article posted Jan. 7 on OCR’s Website, readers were asked, “What do you think Mission Viejo got from its investment in a Tournament of Roses float?” With a total of 1,636 votes cast, here are results as of Jan. 31:

• Nothing except the bills: 44 percent
• A greater sense of community: 36 percent
• An improved image and a higher profile: 20 percent

While votes surged for a short while for a “sense of community,” readers called foul after a high number of votes were cast late one night. The surge gave an appearance of one person casting hundreds of automated votes for a “sense of community.” Throughout the next three weeks, votes continued mount until “Nothing except the bills” led with 44 percent.

The Register posted another poll on Jan. 19 to ask “Should Mission Viejo Council Members get a pay increase? With 1,078 votes cast, the results as of Jan. 31 are:

• Yes: 8 percent
• No: 92 percent

The Jan. 19 poll was within an online article published after Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht asked council members to rescind their October decision to double their monthly stipend. Councilman John Paul Ledesma seconded the motion but withdrew his second following discussion. No vote was taken.