Float Sinks with OC Register Readers

The city’s Rose Parade float, “Making a Splash,” didn’t fare well in the Jan. 7 OC Register poll. As of Feb. 7, readers had cast 4,706 votes.

Question: What do you think Mission Viejo got from its investment in a Tournament of Roses float?

• Nothing, except the bills: 76 percent
• A greater sense of community: 17 percent
• An improved image and a higher profile: 7 percent

City officials stopped touting the poll as reaction against the float mounted. Additionally, Register readers who had observed the voting process said many of the pro-float votes came late at night and appeared to be generated by one person doing automated voting. Approximately one week ago, poll watchers observed another surge with hundreds of votes being cast in favor of the float. By that time, however, the total number was so high that a few hundred votes didn’t shift the percentages. Did the outcome of the poll cause the city staff to revise any of its happy stories in the City Outlook Magazine?

Another Register poll was posted along with a Jan. 19 article about Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht’s attempt to persuade the council to rescind doubling its stipend. Other council members didn’t agree, but readers overwhelmingly supported Schlicht’s attempt.

Should Mission Viejo City Council members get a pay increase?

• Yes: 9 percent
• No: 91 percent

Total votes: 1,083