Did a Cover-up Benefit MacLean?

On Feb. 9 at 12:36 p.m., OC Weekly received an Internet post revealing critical allegations about ex-councilman Lance MacLean’s history of violence. Even without knowledge of information in the post, Mission Viejo voters recalled MacLean in the Feb. 2 Special Election.

The OC Weekly post can be found at http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/breaking-news/ousted-mission-viejo-mayor-ask/ The claim of a cover-up of MacLean’s domestic violence can be read in comment No. 12. The post can also be found in this week’s Buzz column. The post asks why MacLean’s alleged attack on his own family was kept hidden. Ironically, MacLean claimed those wanting to recall him were "hurting" his family.

The new allegations add to reasons MacLean should have voluntarily given up his council seat instead of putting voters through the process of recalling him. Instead, MacLean refused to resign and then decried the cost of the recall election.

Assault and battery charges against MacLean were dropped after he attacked a UCI employee in 2007. A conviction for such charges can carry a jail sentence of up to six months. MacLean, an alleged first-time offender, was instead sentenced to anger management classes. When an OC Register reporter discovered court records in 2008 and asked MacLean about the charges, MacLean lied about his age and middle name in an attempt to avoid publicity.

The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs spent approximately $105,000 campaigning against MacLean’s recall. AOCDS President Wayne Quint publicly stated that his union launched its anti-recall effort because he thought the cost of $270,000 for a Special Election was unreasonable.

But, was it reasonable for anyone in law enforcement to give a pass to an elected official with a history of violence? After 30 days of the incident, citizens are denied access to police records about MacLean’s domestic violence, but OCSD officials, such as Quint’s union members, have access.

Following his Feb. 2 recall, MacLean threatened to sue the District Attorney, Registrar of Voters and the city of Mission Viejo, and he demanded a recount of votes. Within five hours of the Feb. 9 OC Weekly post, MacLean canceled the recount. He then issued a conciliatory press release stating he wants everyone to begin the “healing” process.

After a week of verbal attacks and threats from MacLean following the Feb. 2 election, was it a coincidence his tone abruptly changed when the OC Weekly post came to light?

California's New Redistricting Commission
Excerpts from a letter by Ron Nehring

Our state legislative, Congressional and other district lines are about to change following the 2010 census. How the lines are drawn determines politics in California for the next decade.

For the first time in our state's history, a citizens' commission will draw the new State Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization district boundaries. It's incredibly important for this to be drawn in a fair manner. Partisan "gerrymandering" can render districts "locked in" and uncompetitive for a decade, compromising the democratic process.

Passed in 2008, Proposition 11 created a 14-member citizens' commission with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats, with a smaller number of other political party and independent members. 

Applications are now being accepted for citizens to serve on the Commission. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. this Tues., Feb. 16. To begin the application process, go to https://application.wedrawthelines.ca.gov

School Update

If there were any doubt about the PTA promoting increased property taxes to support the unions, read the press release below. The PTA members supporting this must have skipped Econ 101 class, where they should have learned that increasing taxes equals less revenue, while cutting taxes increases revenue. Taxpayers in CUSD already pay parcel taxes, either in the form of Mello-Roos and/or the “Measure A” bond. Homeowners should check out their property tax bill; it’s listed there. 

Increased taxes are why people and businesses are exiting California in record numbers. 

Eighty-five percent of the CUSD budget goes to salary and benefits, yet they want MORE. This has less to do with "education" and more to do with money for the union. History has proven that none of this money will go to the classroom. It is time to say NO NEW TAXES! 

PRESS RELEASE
Feb. 4, 2010

California State PTA Endorses Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act
Million-member organization mobilizes to qualify initiative for November ballot

The California State PTA announced that it is mobilizing its nearly 1 million members to support Californians for Improved School Funding's ballot initiative, the Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act www.improvedschoolfunding.com

If qualified for the November 2010 ballot and approved by voters, the proposed Act would lower the threshold for passage of educational parcel taxes to 55 percent, from the current 66.6 percent - two-thirds - provided certain requirements are met. These include advance disclosure on how funds will be spent, annual audits, oversight by an independent citizens' committee, and offering an exemption to senior citizens. Funds raised under the initiative could not be taken or offset by the state in its educational funding decisions.

"Our members overwhelmingly supported a resolution to reduce the parcel tax threshold at our 2008 convention, so we are excited to support this crucial measure," said Jo Loss, president of the California State PTA. "This act alone cannot solve the problem of chronic underfunding of education throughout the state, but it would empower local communities to support their local schools. It is an important step in the right direction toward providing an education that prepares our children and our state for success in a global economy."

"Having local PTAs throughout California support the campaign is an important step towards making the act a reality," said Delaine Eastin, former California Superintendent of Public Instruction.  "We are asking all parents, educational leaders and citizens concerned about public education to download, sign and mail in a ballot petition, available at the campaign website http://www.improvedschoolfunding.com

The Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act will give communities an additional way of showing their support for local public schools. By imposing strict disclosure and accountability standards, and protecting senior citizens, the act will provide assurances to voters that their education tax dollars will be spent on worthwhile programs, including the following: Attracting and retaining qualified teachers; Keeping class sizes small; Supporting strong core academics like math and science; and Maintaining art, music, physical education, athletics and student support programs.

For more information, as well as to donate to, endorse or support the campaign, visit http://www.improvedschoolfunding.com Californians for Improved School Funding is registered with theCalifornia Fair Political Practices Commission, ID # 1319510.

About the California State PTA

The California State PTA has nearly 1 million members throughout the state working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto, "every child, one voice." The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer organization working to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is nonprofit, nonsectarian and noncommercial. 

For more information about the California State PTA, visit http://www.capta.org

About Californians for Improved School Funding

Californians for Improved School Funding is an organization of concerned citizens working to amend the California Constitution so that special taxes for local school districts, commonly known as parcel taxes, can be approved by a 55 percent vote of qualified electors.

The group's initiative, known as the Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act, would let communities raise operating funds for their local schools with a 55 percent "yes" vote, provided accountability and disclosure requirements are met.

Who Will Be Mayor?
by Joe Holtzman

Brad Morton in the Mission Viejo Dispatch asked the rhetorical question on who should be the next mayor of Mission Viejo.

In the event Trish Kelley thinks she’s next in line, I would ask her the following questions:

1. Why should you be mayor when you abandoned our parks to the special interests to erect RF-emitting/radiation cell towers that will create health problems for our children?
2. Why should you be our mayor when you know the Sage Report identified a number of city parks that are affected by Edison’s excessive EMF?
3. Why should you be mayor when you’ve been on the council for eight years and have done nothing to protect our children in the above-noted cases?
4. Why should you be mayor when you have seen the continuing deterioration of our city owned slopes? (E.g., along Alicia Parkway, Marguerite Parkway, Los Alisos, Jeronimo, Trabuco, etc.)
5. Why should you be mayor when you funneled city money into sprucing up the OC Fire Dept. station (which is county-owned property) on Marguerite Parkway?
6. Why should you be mayor when you openly and enthusiastically supported Lance MacLean when you fully knew of his anger issues?

Believe me, Miss Goody Two Shoes is vulnerable.

The Buzz

Here it is. This online comment in OC Weekly broke the ice about ex-councilman Lance MacLean’s alleged history of domestic violence:

“Is it true the neighbors, school district personnel, courts, Child Protective Services, OCSD and OC Register knew about Lance\'s domestic violence? Is it true Lance\'s choking a UCI employee wasn\'t his first act of violence and he should have been charged as a repeat offender? Does a law enforcement union with ready access to police reports have any excuse for backing a repeat offender who has terrified his own family?

How come nobody wants to talk about it? Are the OC Register and its\' affiliates engaged in a cover-up regarding non-disclosure of information by the OC Sheriffs department?

If the the requested information had been provided in a timely manner, would the recent special election to recall Lance MacLean been necessary? If those with knowledge of the facts spoken up, instead of acting to conceal this information, would Lance have stepped down without wasting taxpayers money?” Posted on Tues., Feb. 9, 2010, at 12:36 p.m.

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Immediately prior to the OC Weekly post, an arrogant MacLean was revved up in his bully mode, spewing threats and saying he would sue everyone. He not only demanded a recount, he made bizarre accusations, including a claim that his opponents had stuffed the ballot box with fraudulent absentee ballots. He first blamed the recall on proponents, and then he turned on those who hadn’t bothered to vote in the Feb. 2 election. As soon as the OC Weekly post appeared, he immediately reversed by issuing a press release that he obviously didn’t write. If Lance thought he had succeeded in hiding his past, he hadn’t. Given the number of people who knew about the domestic abuse, it was amazing it didn’t reach the media until Feb. 9 at 12:36 p.m., a week after the recall election.

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Has City Manager Dennis Wilberg abandoned his weekly insider newsletter, “The Week That Was”? He hasn’t published it in awhile. He was so busy predicting doom and gloom if MacLean was recalled that he might need time off to get over it.

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“Diamond Tom,” a Mission Viejo resident who has been hailed as having the best tribute to Neil Diamond, is recovering from lung surgery. Tom has been providing entertainment for Mission Viejo’s TEA Parties, and he regularly performs at restaurants and clubs throughout South County.

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Saddleback Republican Assembly will host H. Paul Payne as its guest speaker on Thurs., Feb. 18. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the first-floor dining room at Atria del Sol, 23792 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. Payne will speak on Second Amendment rights. Admission is free and guests are welcome.