The Buzz

Street maintenance isn’t just about aesthetics. Hitting a pothole can damage a car’s suspension and steering components as well as tires and rims. While main drags have been the focus of city council discussions about maintenance, neighborhood streets are in far worse condition than arterials. What would it cost to bring all streets in town up to good condition? If the city is truly awash in cash, there’s no reason for deferred maintenance.

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Comment from a Buzz reader: “When I called city hall last week to report my street has wide cracks in the asphalt, a city employee was able to come up with a reason for the damage. The trash trucks caused it! Doesn’t that explain why so many streets are in bad shape? After all, trash trucks drive along each street once a week.”

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Does the explanation about trash trucks align with other logic from city hall? In 2003, then-Public Works Director Dennis Wilberg approved a stealth grading operation in Lower Curtis Park with money that had been budgeted for emergency maintenance. Granich Construction had the contract but no real work because winter rains hadn’t wiped out enough slopes and roads to occupy the contractor. Granich’s grading equipment sat idle in Lower Curtis until an “emergency” developed right where the equipment was parked. The contractor began moving dirt back and forth (and back and forth) until the bill exceeded $200,000. As justification for doing the grading, the city claimed that debris in the soil was so heavy it could cause a nearby waterline to break. A water district employee didn’t start laughing out loud but politely disagreed the waterline was in danger.

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Mission Viejo residents were surveyed last week about the recall of Councilman Lance MacLean. The same survey company may have polled residents in October, and some of those receiving calls presume the survey was funded by outside interests wanting to keep MacLean in office. The phone surveys are obviously expensive, and some folks said the calls were seeking information on how to protect MacLean. As for a survey that cost nothing at all, throughout last summer when Mission Viejo voters were signing the recall petition, the recall supporters said they asked voters how city hall is doing. Voters said they don’t trust the city council majority (Council Members Lance MacLean, Frank Ury and Trish Kelley) and MacLean should be recalled.

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Residents who have spoken with recall replacement candidate Dave Leckness say his reasons for running don’t add up. Leckness has indicated he doesn’t understand why Councilman Lance MacLean is being recalled, as he is doing a good job on the council. Leckness indicated that, if elected, he would be voting the same way MacLean votes. Those speaking with Leckness should ask if he will vote for or against recalling MacLean. If Leckness opposes the recall, why is he running?

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Leckness’ campaign statements indicate a small group of people (the proponents who actually know why MacLean is being recalled) are planning to close the animal shelter. Can Leckness point to a statement ANYONE has made about closing the animal shelter? When such a statement becomes a candidate’s battle cry, shouldn’t it have some reference to reality?