Recall Update

Volunteers working to recall Councilman Lance MacLean announced the signature drive reached the halfway mark on Mon., May 4. The recall group said that more than 4,650 signatures have been gathered. Approximately 9,300 valid ones are needed by the Aug. 25 deadline.

During the past week, volunteers reported new incidents of harassment by MacLean and his supporters. The most hostile one was a woman who came to a table in front of a drugstore on May 5. A recall volunteer sent the following report:

“A woman (dark hair, about 60 years old and 5’ 10”) came up to me at 4:15 on Tuesday afternoon and started yelling. She yelled at me for awhile, and then she went into the store and yelled at the manager. He came out and said she was still in his store throwing a fit. MacLean’s supporters have no qualms about disrupting business, becoming abusive and trying to force a store into taking a position on city politics.”

The volunteer discovered from talking to the store manager that he had also received a call from his district manager. A woman had called the district office to complain about signature gathering at the storefront. This report aligns with information from a nearby grocery story. Councilwoman Trish Kelley called a grocery story manager to try and stop signature gatherers from working at his storefront. Kelley identified herself as a councilwoman and former mayor. Two activists who talked with store employees were able to confirm Kelley was the one who called and tried to disrupt signature gathering.

One of the activists commented, “The grocery store has been extraordinarily good to the community, and they are neutral on politics. They donate to charities and bend over backwards to please customers. One of the employees told us the only problem they are having about the recall is with MacLean’s supporters.”

On Sat., May 9, MacLean spent approximately 10 minutes harassing two volunteers at a storefront. He sat down next to their table and attempted to block signatures. He left quickly when one of the volunteers got out a camera. It was clear MacLean knew what he was doing was wrong, and he tried to leave without being photographed. Blog readers can expect a follow-up article with the photo.

Several residents who signed the recall petition during the past week mentioned news reports about MacLean’s abusive supporters, including a police report of terrorist threats on April 28. One person who signed the petition said, “For MacLean to direct his followers to attack recall workers is another reason to throw him out.”

Nancy’s Picks for May 19 Election
by Nancy Sandoval

We have an important election coming up on Tues., May 19, for six California Propositions. Because of expected low voter turnout, your vote will be more heavily weighted than in most elections, so don't sit this one out. The most important proposition is Prop 1A. 

The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is May 12. (See Website for instructions or the back of your sample ballot.) Click on my Website, www.NancysPicks.com , for the results/comments of my research.

PROP 1A-$16 Billion Tax Increase    Strong No
Prop 1 A

This is the most important proposition on the ballot and needs to be defeated.

It deceptively claims it provides a “Rainy Day” Budget, a “Stabilization Fund”, and a budget “Spending Cap”.

In actuality, (and what is ONLY stated in the Official Voter Information Guide), as stated, it means the “HIGHER STATE TAXES RECENTLY PASSED [by the Democratically-controlled legislature] WOULD BE EXTENDED FOR UP TO TWO MORE YEARS”.

This prop means, the 1% Sales Tax Increase (already the highest in the nation) will be continued to 2012. The Personal Income .25%Tax Increase (already the highest in nation) will be continued to 2013. The nearly 50% Increase in the Vehicle License Fees will be continued to 2013.

Our out-of-control "Tax and Spend" legislature, who refused to allow spending caps in the past, and increased the CA budget by 40% in just five years, have authored this proposition for the ballot. They are now trying to convince voters that they have REPENTED. NOT! Vote a BIG FAT NO!

PROP 1B-$9.3 Billion Education Funding Supplement   No
Prop 1 B is contingent upon the passage of Prop 1 A. If both pass, Education would be given $9.3 Billion in future years to rectify a $12 Billion "cut" that was part of the February Budget negotiation.

However, the so-called “cut” was really NOT a cut. It was just LESS than education expected, under the old Prop 98 factoring. (Note: In 2008, education received $47 Billion from the general funds. In 2009, education will receive $52 Billion, hence, a $5 Billion increase, without Prop 1B funds.) This prop was the teacher's union appeasement, so that they wouldn't come out in opposition of Prop 1A.

Even with the February cuts, education is probably the best funded program in the budget, getting 54% of state general funds. NO ON 1B!

PROP 1C - LOTTERY MODERNIZATION ACT      No
Even the title of Prop 1C is dishonest. Foremost, what you are really voting is whether or not you support borrowing $5 Billion in bond dept from future lottery profits to help balance the 2009/10 budget. I am not fan of the lottery, but I am opposed to this measure.

The CA lottery, established by initiative in 1984 was to benefit education. The legislature should not be allowed to raid it because they have been so irresponsible in overspending. Besides, it is more debt that has to be repaid, something that CA absolutely does not need and cannot afford. NO ON PROP 1C!

PROP 1D - PROTECTS CHILDRENS'S SERVICES FUNDING No
We need a "TRUTH IN BALLOT WORDING" measure because this one's title is so misleading. Instead of "protecting" Children's Services Funds, ("First 5 Program"), which was establised in 1998 with Prop 10 (I opposed!), it allows for raiding it to help with the budget. While I believe we should never have funded the "First 5 Program", I still believe it is wrong to divert funds to the General Fund because of the legislature's irresponsible spending and catering to special interests. Vote NO on Prop 1D!

PROP 1E - MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES       No
This measure gives a portion of funds, previously approved by the voters under Prop 63, (for the support the expansion of community mental health programs), to be REDIRECTED ("raided") over the next 2 years to support the General Fund. I did not support Prop 63, and believe it should be repealed. Nevertheless, it is not right to RAID these funds. Again, we should not allow them to use these funds to help the legislature get out of their irresponsible mess that they created. Vote NO on Prop 1E!

PROP 1F - ELECTED OFFICALS SALARY     No
This prop would prevents the Governor, members of the State Legislature, and other elected state officals from receiving salary increases when the state General Fund is expected to end the year with a deficit. It is a largely symbolic, feel good, measure that will have little effect on the budget.

Many conservatives are voting "NO", mainly to be consistent with Sacramento to let them know we don't like what they have done in spending, the budget, or are trying to do with these 6 measures.

Some, also, do not want to reward Abel Maldonado with a victory, who was the last Republican vote to help pass the awful budget. They said he may use the victory in a bid for higher office and we don't want to give him that.

The only really solid reason for voting NO was brought up by former State Senator Ray Haynes, who said that "everytime you limit or change legislator's pay, all that happens is that Democrat staffers, many of whom earn more than $150,000 per year, simply have more money for raises for them. In practice, Proposition 140 has guaranteed a minimum amount of money be spent on the Legislature as a whole. If that money is not spent on Legislator's salaries, it increases the pot for staff raises. Since those staff raises rarely go to Republican staff, that means that evey dollar that is taken out of a Republican Legislator's pocket goes into the pocket of a Democrat staffer.

Until reading this recently, I was a very weak "Yes", but the above is good enough reason to say "NO".

 (Summary: I recommended NO ON ALL OF THEM, including Prop 1F.)

If you find my recommendations helpful, please pass them on to others who might like a conservative perspective.

Two Cities, Different Tales

For many years, Mission Viejo residents have complained to city officials that multiple families are living in units designed for single families. Parking issues are one of many problems resulting from unrelated occupants turning single-family homes into boarding houses. The city’s usual response is to say that nothing can be done.

Last week, the city of San Juan Capistrano showed how to fight such overcrowding. Information was provided during a May 5 meeting by attorneys on behalf of the city. Jonathan Volzke reported in The Capistrano Dispatch that homeowner associations can use their CC&Rs to limit the number of occupants and ensure that garages are used for parking vehicles. According to attorneys, HOAs can also write rules to establish minimum lease terms and take steps to ensure that families will occupy the units.

The article can be found at http://thecapistranodispatch.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=983&cntnt01dateformat=%25B%20%25d%2C%20%25Y&cntnt01returnid=15

A member of the SJC council, Laura Freese, said she’d like her city to sponsor another meeting about the topic of overcrowding.

Group Plans Anti-tax Rally
Press Release

Organizers of the Mission Viejo Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party are planning another street-corner rally. Saddleback Republican Assembly invites everyone to gather on the corners of La Paz and Marguerite in Mission Viejo on Mon., May 18, the eve of the statewide Special Election, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
 

The purpose of the rally is to raise awareness of the Special Election and remind everyone to vote on Tues., May 19. Members of SRA say their objective is the defeat of Propositions 1-A through 1-F. The theme of the rally is “Just say no to more taxes.”

Dr. Michael Ferrall, SRA president, said, “We’ll provide signs and American flags for participants to wave, but we hope people will create their own signs if they have an inspiration. On April 15, many participants brought signs that were clever and well done.”

Participants should note that the event is the day before the election. Ferrall explained, “If we were to hold the rally on Election Day, many people would have already voted. With so many absentee ballots being cast, we also want to remind everyone to get them in. We hope everyone joins us at the rally on Monday.”

Ferrall added that voters can take absentee ballots to any polling place in the county on Election Day if they haven’t already mailed them in. Absentee ballots must be mailed in time to reach the Registrar of Voters on Election Day or taken to a polling place on the day of the election.

SRA members organizing the May 18 reunion report that 600 people attended the April 15 TEA Party in Mission Viejo. Participants of all ages lined the sidewalks along La Paz and Marguerite. During the rally, attendees signed letters of protest against tax increases. One of the letters was sent to President Obama and Congress. A second letter went to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and State Legislators. Text of the second letter focused on the May 19 Special Election. It read:

“When you plugged California’s $42-billion budget hole in February, the increases in the personal income tax and the vehicle license fee fell squarely on the shoulders of working-class Californians. You had your say, and we’ll have ours in the May 19 Special Election. It’s time to say NO to more taxes, and we expect you to decrease state spending! The tea bag [pictured on the document] is a symbol of our protest."

Updates and other announcements about the May 18 reunion will be posted on MissionViejoCA.org and distributed to newspapers, the MissionViejoDispatch.com and the county’s premier news blog, OrangeJuiceBlog.com.

For additional information, call Dr. Michael Ferrall, SRA president, (949) 874-3422

The Buzz

With the MacLean recall gaining support, residents signing the petition are asking about replacement candidates. Contrary to MacLean’s comments, no candidates have emerged, and no candidate is being promoted by those gathering signatures. The election will be open to anyone who wants to file. The recall would be a special election, and the Orange County Registrar of Voters is moving toward all-mail ballots to cut down on costs.

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An article on another blog, MissionViejoDispatch.com, reveals the city’s aging infrastructure. Read the story at http://missionviejodispatch.com/2009/05/08/mission-viejo-roads-worse-than-detroit/ Residents might be wondering how the city can keep a balance of $28 million in so-called discretionary reserves, maintain infrastructure and continue blowing millions on cost overruns and feel-good projects. It can’t. The infrastructure is being neglected, and the city engages in a shell game when talking about reserves. Nearly all of the city’s $28 million “reserve” account is encumbered, obligated or already spent. Less than half a million is available for discretionary spending, and that’s not much for a city in which officials spend more than $1 million a week.

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A blog reader noted an item in the May 7 Wall Street Journal. She emailed, “Mission Viejo’s city administrators aren’t alone in being hoodwinked by a rebranding company. Providence, R.I., officials paid $100,000 for a bright orange P as their city’s logo. After seeing Mission Viejo’s city staff pay $30,000 for the mark of the iron tree, I thought they were uniquely stupid. Providence just jumped ahead of Mission Viejo, paying a premium for a letter of the alphabet.” A former mayor of Providence was quoted in the article, saying his city had been suckered into a wasteful campaign. Mission Viejo staff members are now wearing taxpayer-provided golf shirts emblazoned with iron trees: at least residents can see them coming.

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Last week, a Capo High School teacher was found guilty of violating First Amendment rights by referring to Creationism as “religious, superstitious nonsense.” The teacher said in an interview with the OC Register the lawsuit wouldn’t affect his teaching style. Private school administrators continue to report that their enrollments are climbing, even during a recession.

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Saddleback Valley News has lately followed city hall’s lead by reporting only positive news about Mission Viejo. Each new business receives an advertisement written as a news story. However, no mention is made of dozens of businesses closing their doors.

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Save the date: Casta Republican Club is hosting Sir Eldon Griffiths as guest speaker for its joint meeting with Saddleback Republican Assembly on Wed., May 20, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Vista Room. Those who reside outside the gated community of Casta del Sol should call (949) 581-3155 to add their name to the guest list or get additional information.