Recall Update

Numerous incidents have been reported under the heading “Recall Update” because that’s an accurate description. The recall of Councilman Lance MacLean began in March, and his antics are the outcome of trying to save his council seat. His latest desperate move will be aired during the Dec. 6 council meeting. He apparently will offer to give up his entitlement to the lifetime healthcare benefits that he voted for more than a year ago.

Ever since the council majority of Lance MacLean, Frank Ury and Trish Kelley (MUK) approved lifetime healthcare benefits for three terms of service, community members have been ready to vote them out of office. The MUKsters added the benefits immediately after the November 2008 election when they thought the outrage would die down before the next election in November 2010.

MacLean has predicted from the beginning that he’ll be recalled, and he’s probably right. With each month, he’s become more desperate to survive. In October, he tried to capture anti-recall votes with his proposal to put a dog park in Oso Viejo Park. The motion passed on Oct. 5, and it made a handful of dog-park enthusiasts happy. Residents near the targeted site quickly mobilized and made the council overturn approval of the site. For MacLean’s campaign, it was a net loss.

In his latest drama, MacLean is offering to give up his entitlement to the healthcare benefits. Apparently, he reads this blog and knows that self-enrichment was the No. 1 reason voters signed the recall petition. Perhaps he thinks he can press the “undo” button and his voting record will disappear.

If Lance is still reading this blog, here’s another problem for him. Residents don’t want him on the council because they don’t trust him. Given a chance, they’ll list specific reasons and cite his record.

Larry Gilbert posted an article on the county’s premier blog that covers the “Mission Viejo healthcare debate.” http://orangejuiceblog.com/2009/12/health-care-debate-mission-viejo-style The reaction to MacLean was negative at the beginning of the recall effort, and it has continued to worsen despite his attempts to improve his image.