The Buzz

Mission Viejo residents are seeing Councilman Lance MacLean’s anti-recall signs on streets around town, and they’re not pleased. The signs began appearing on Nov. 25 – the day before Thanksgiving. The black and red messages were prominent near Marguerite Pkwy and Crown Valley when Christmas shoppers headed toward the mall during the weekend of Nov. 28-29. The only reaction has been offense at MacLean’s attempt to put his campaign into high gear during the Christmas season. The outcome has been to remind everyone why MacLean is being recalled.

***

While no one has seen MacLean posting anti-recall signs, he was observed in his 2006 reelection campaign as a one-person operation. No one stood on corners for him, and very few of his signs were in residents’ yards. Last week, some of MacLean’s anti-recall signs turned up in the yards of those at the forefront in support of the recall effort.

***

When the city council majority was forced to rescind its vote to put a dog park in Oso Viejo Park, Councilwoman Trish Kelley told the city staff to move the project forward elsewhere. With the recall election scheduled for Feb. 2, Kelley is running out of time to wedge a dog park into another neighborhood. The city staff is complying with her decree, and public meetings are scheduled this month. A dog park project that has been on ice for 10 years has become a top priority.

***

How should the matter of a dog park be decided? The concept has had a following for years, but no progress was made until MacLean saw an opportunity to capitalize on the interest to save his seat on the council. Residents are suggesting that a dog park should be on the November 2010 ballot. Let the voters decide how much support the project has and what it should cost. With the two current possible sites being Lower Curtis Park and an undeveloped plot along Felipe near Fieldcrest, neither place is suitable without major cost, which would include resolving accessibility issues.

***

Records show that the city of San Juan Capistrano listened to its residents’ concerns about drop-off zones near schools. A recent SJC council decision reflects a recommendation from its Transportation Commission to prohibit stopping on a street near Ambuel School inside a neighborhood. The council said the area may not be used as a drop-off zone. Homeowners who live near Newhart Middle School, Capo Valley High School and other schools where such traffic and stopping are a problem should take note that something can be done, despite the lack of remedies in Mission Viejo.

***

Will homeowners in Mission Ridge (near Oso and Marguerite Parkway) get a Christmas present this year of Peace on La Paja Lane? Observers say probably not. The so-called home remodel that has been allowed to continue for more than nine years is unlikely to be completed in December. Those following the weekly updates from the contractor to the city say progress isn’t on schedule and completion dates for interior and exterior work have been missed all along the way.