Mission Viejo Buzz - 01/23/10

The Buzz

OC Register columnist Gary Robbins dubs last week’s storm system “the Yukon Express.” In his Jan. 24 column, he says KABC/7 meteorologist Dallas Raines was wrong to blame El Nino. Robbins says storms are following the jet stream out of the Gulf of Alaska, not coming from warm, subtropical waters.

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Mission Viejo streets are deteriorating, and many weren’t in good condition before the rains hit. Estimates to bring all streets up to good condition are running as high as $85 million. It has taken a long time and a lot of neglect to allow streets to fall into such disrepair. For residents who think it’s only their street or their neighborhood, the problem is widespread throughout the city.

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The “other” candidate running to replace recall target Lance MacLean commented on another blog last week. Read Leckness’ remarks on http://missionviejodispatch.com/?p=14156/ Leckness earlier revealed his lack of competency in an interview with Larry Gilbert (link to OrangeJuiceBlog.com article provided on the Dispatch). Leckness indicates his council run is more about having fun than taking care of city business. Mr. Fun Leckness lashes out in his post on the Dispatch: “You must be an idiot, I never said anything about diverting money from streets and slopes. I stepped up to run for city council as a positive alternative … Having fun? you-better-believe-it. As for you Mr Smokey, next time you write a scathing article have the b—- to put your real name.” Mr. Fun gets a little testy when teased, and he seems baffled by the spoof written by Allan Pilger. Smokey is Pilger’s dog.

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From an update from the Orange County Registrar of Voters: As of Jan. 24, nine days remain before Mission Viejo’s Special Election on Feb. 2 to recall Councilman Lance MacLean. The RoV has hired 142 poll workers and recruited seven county employees to work as poll workers. Thirty-six poll sites will be open for the election. The city has 61,928 registered voters: 50 percent Republican, 27 percent Democratic and 19 percent Decline to State. The RoV anticipates it will take less than 24 hours to certify results of the Feb. 2 election.

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As of last week, the RoV had received 7,304 ballots from vote-by-mail voters. Recall proponents who are estimating turnout for the election are guessing it could be between 20 percent and 25 percent.

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City Manager Dennis Wilberg’s insider newsletter (“The Week That Was”) for Jan. 22 contained two items as his summary of city hall’s happenings for the week. He announced that The Fish House restaurant will open in April at La Paz Gateway, the new building at La Paz Road and Muirlands Drive. Wilberg’s other topic was his announcement that the library received a $15,000 grant for the implementation of the Family Place Library Program.