The Buzz

What was the biggest news last week about the recall of Councilman Lance MacLean? According to residents who are even remotely paying attention, it’s a union surpassing $100,000 in donations to save MacLean. It’s been difficult to miss all the TV ads, a constant stream of mailers containing false threats about decreased police protection and union-posted campaign signs placed directly in front of recall signs. An article on OrangeJuiceBlog.com drew a comment from Niyaz Pirani, who allegedly covers Mission Viejo for Saddleback Valley News. Pirani says he didn’t report the $100,000 union donation in SVN because he was “busy” covering a story about Dr. Raghu Mathur’s early termination of his job at the South OC College District. Pirani also missed the union surpassing $64,000 two weeks ago and $70,000 a week ago.

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Now is the time for mere residents to be part of redrawing districts for California. A commission is redrawing the district lines for the State Assembly, State Senate and Board of Equalization. Voters passed the Voters FIRST Act last November, and everyone now has a chance to participate. Go to www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov and fill out an application by Feb. 12.

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ACT for America will hold its Feb. 8 meeting at the Temple Bat Yahm annex in Newport Beach, 1011 Camelback Street. The organization was unable to get a meeting room at the community center in Mission Viejo on Feb. 8, which was the only date available for the guest speaker. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7:30. Chapter Leader Bruce Mayall writes, “Guest speaker Ed Royce, U.S. Representative for the 40th Congressional District, is one of America's super-patriots. His priorities in Congress are protecting our homeland, supporting our troops and veterans, providing meaningful tax relief for workers, protecting the budget and cutting excessive government spending, fighting crime and supporting victims of crime, strengthening education for all students, and preserving Social Security and Medicare.”

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Fun With Chalk will benefit from a performance by Side Street Strutters on Sun., March 14, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Community and Senior Center. The seven-piece band will present a concert of New Orleans blues, jazz, Dixieland and Zydeco music. Refreshments will be available for purchase, and tickets are tax-deductible. Ticket price is $25 for adults and $15 for children age 13 and younger. Call for tickets at (949) 470-3062.

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The OC Watchdog posted its $100,000-plus pension club for Capo schools on Jan. 27 http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/01/27/50193/50193/ Here’s the list for Capistrano USD: Sundra Hartman ($194,015.64), James Fleming ($141,331.44), Stella Hubert ($129,571.68), Geraldine Gordon ($119,301.72), Richard Johnson ($117,128.40), Anthony Ferruzzo ($115,577.16), Elaine Hart ($113,209.08), Patrick Levens ($112,482.36), Susan MacConaghy ($111,425.88), Austin Buffum ($110,602.32), James Walshe ($110,255.04), Richard Campbell ($105,865.68), Lois Anderson ($105,126.60), Ronald Dempsey ($103,703.52), David Schlesinger ($101,996.52) and John Hopkins ($100,583.88).