O’Neill’s Sad Ending
Letter to the editor

Read a June 18 post on the Mission Viejo Dispatch on the closing of O’Neill Elementary School, http://missionviejodispatch.com/?p=9606&cpage=1#comment-2246 It was a sad day in the history of Mission Viejo.

Don't be fooled by Councilwoman Trish Kelley's "Pontius Pilate" act at the closing of O'Neill school. Kelley's maudlin speech made me sick. Neither Kelley nor Councilman Frank Ury was vocal or even present at the first meetings concerning this closure. Only Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht addressed the board in those formative meetings. 

I personally know that Ury was told to get it in gear at the early stages of this decision-making process. Ury chose not to act! MacLean, who lives in the neighborhood, has also been conspicuous by his lack of action. Now, after things are all said and done, the cowards on our city council act like they are going to punish SVUSD. Who are they kidding?

Dr. "Invisible" Fish did not even have the courage or courtesy to speak – or most likely be present – at the closing of the school. The absence of any board member at the closing of the school should also be so noted by the community. Obviously, the school board collectively lacks the courage of their convictions. Their collective absence sends a message: they just don't care.

Cowards can run, but they can't hide!

Joe Holtzman
Mission Viejo

Note: On June 19, the council belatedly added an agenda item to its June 22 budget workshop, a resolution of support for O’Neill. The item appeared to be posturing to avoid further criticism for not supporting O’Neill.