The Buzz

City administrators are still trying to persuade Mission Viejo residents to provide photos for the Crown Valley Porkway “art gallery” pillars. Reacting to harsh criticism of their current exhibit – macabre graphics – city officials would next like to display pictures from residents that convey a message of thankfulness. The original deadline for submitting photos was Oct. 1. A community watchdog emailed other activists that he had sent in his photos of a policeman on a motorcycle, illegally parked on a sidewalk while awaiting an opportunity to ticket motorists for other illegal acts. The new city deadline for photos has been extended twice, apparently for lack of participants.

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Support Fun With Chalk by enjoying a meal at Cafe Maiz on Fri., Oct 30. The restaurant will donate 50 percent of the tab to FWC. Customers should present the promo flyer when ordering (link here). Cafe Maiz is located at 27567 Puerta Real in Mission Viejo, and the phone number is (949) 367-0777. Visit the restaurant from noon to 9:00 p.m.

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Community watchdog Dale Tyler “pulled papers” on Tues., Oct. 20, to become the first candidate in the special election to recall Councilman Lance MacLean. No other potential candidates have emerged. The city has created a Candidate Information Log, which will be updated throughout the nomination period, ending Nov. 19. Here’s the link: http://www.cityofmissionviejo.org/DepartmentPage.aspx?id=54&ekmensel=7b8f18ba_26_0_54_2

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Will other residents come forward as candidates to replace MacLean? Throughout the signature drive of the recall, MacLean’s supporters have claimed that another longtime watchdog, Larry Gilbert, would run. They concocted stories, maligning Larry and claiming he intended to take over city hall. From the beginning of the recall effort, Larry has told everyone he’s not running. MacLean’s supporters and city hall’s Kool-Aid drinkers have two dilemmas: 1) MacLean is probably washed up as a council member. 2) Any replacement candidate erupting from MacLean’s supporters would have to run against him to get traction with voters.

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For years, Councilman Frank Ury has shown distaste for MacLean, and he could come up with his own recall candidate. A trademark of Ury’s support is the money trail to outsiders, including lobbyist John Lewis of Orange. MacLean also is heavily dependent on outside financial support, but Ury’s money boys have deeper pockets. By contrast, Dale Tyler’s supporters are Mission Viejo residents. The recall effort is financially backed by Mission Viejo residents and no one else.