Analysis of the Feb. 2 Election

Analysis of the Feb. 2 Election
by Joe Holtzman

MacLean has been recalled. Now let’s get down to some interesting facts.

MacLean had the financial backing/support of special interest that has never been seen in a local Mission Viejo election before.   

When the final totals come in, I believe MacLean's supporters’ contributions will exceed approximately $140,000.

Examples of MacLean contributors (and supporters):

  • The Association of Orange County Sheriff Deputies ponied up, by my estimate, $105,000 and most likely more.
  • The Orange County Apartment Association kicked in over $4,000.

MacLean’s other contributors include:

  • CH2M Hill, a worldwide construction management and consulting firm.
  • Committee for Improved Public Policy, a Costa Mesa-based developer-funded Political Action Committee
  • CR&R Inc., a trash hauler expected to bid on Mission Viejo’s upcoming $100 million trash contract
  • Waste Management, a trash hauler expected to bid on Mission Viejo’s upcoming $100 million trash contract
  • Judith Ware of Ware Disposal, a trash hauler expected to bid on Mission Viejo’s upcoming $100 million trash contract
  • Designed to Win, Inc., a Santa Ana entity with unknown interests
  • Kenneth Kachigian, Sr. Partner of Brownstein-Hyatt-Farber-Schreck, a large litigation firm with 12 offices throughout the U.S.
  • Sharon  Cody – former mayor and DAWG leader
  • Susan Wilson – LAFCO board member and former Planning Commissioner
  • Sherri Butterfield – former mayor who failed to be re-elected after Brown Act conviction
  • Santa Ana Diesel, Inc., a Santa Ana company
  • Robert D. Thornton, an attorney with Nossaman LLP, which was retained by the OC Toll Road Agencies
  • Susan Withrow, former MV councilwoman who failed to be re-elected after Brown Act conviction
  • Scott Taylor & Associates, professional campaign consulting firm
  • The South Orange County Chamber of Commerce
  • Dave Leckness and his support network
  • Friends of the Library led by John Maginnis
  • Council member Trish Kelley
  • Dan Avery (although having his support as a benefit is questionable)

(Note this is only a partial list.)

Teamed up against this massive amount of financial support were some concerned citizens of Mission Viejo, aware Mission Viejo taxpayers and alert residents. My estimate is the pro-recall group (including Dale Tyler) may have spent approximately only 25 percent of what the MacLean supporters spent.

What does this prove? "Justice and Virtue Ultimately Prevail!"

My predictions: Leckness will be more civil than MacLean. Leckness just may open a council meeting with a five-minute standup comic routine; that will be certainly more entertaining than Lance's diatribes.

I am now investigating where certain supporters of MacLean have registered their brooms: California or Transylvania.