The Buzz

Congratulations to Saddleback Republican Assembly for organizing the April 15 tax protest at La Paz and Marguerite. The event drew citizens of all ages and at least one Obama supporter. When master of ceremonies Mark Dobrilovic invited the man to speak from the microphone, he declined. Kudos to Mark for providing an equal opportunity for everyone.

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At the Mission Viejo Tea Party a year ago, police received a complaint that pedestrians had crossed the street too slowly. This year, the OCSD police blotter reflected another complaint (La Paz and Marguerite, 5:51 p.m., April 15). The blotter indicated that a caller told police that a pedestrian had walked against a light.

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Buzz readers are invited to support the wives of deployed Marines by contributing to gift baskets for the May 29 Camp Pendleton Appreciation Luncheon. Anyone wanting to help can donate items for a basket, money to support the effort or creating a gift basket. Suggested items include bath and hair products, gift certificates, jewelry, movie tickets and gift cards that can be redeemed at restaurants on the base. Please email cam.fam@cox.net for additional information.

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Two meetings this week will feature guest speakers. Saddleback Republican Assembly will host Don Wagner on Thurs., April 22, at 7:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome, and admission is free. SRA meets at Atria del Sol, 23792 Marguerite Parkway, in Mission Viejo. Wagner serves as board president of South Orange County Community College District, and he’s a candidate for State Assembly. Also on April 22, OC Supervisor Pat Bates will be the featured speaker for Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated. AVRWF meets at The Hills Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn), La Paz Road at the 5 Freeway, Laguna Hills. Cost of $28 includes dinner. Social gathering begins at 6:30 p.m.; meeting begins at 7:00. RSVP by April 19. Call 949.859.5607 or 949.735.0718.

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The April 18 OC Register summarized the impasse between CUSD officials and the teachers union. CUSD officials’ position: money doesn’t grow on trees. The district said teachers will take a 10.1 percent pay cut, and that’s the final offer. On the plus side, most teachers get to keep their jobs, and class size will not increase.

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How’s the recall of CUSD trustees Ken Maddox and Mike Winsten going? The union-driven effort has less than two weeks to go, given its self-imposed deadline of May 1. If enough signatures can be gathered by May 1, the recall would qualify for the November ballot. If not, recall supporters have said they’ll end the process. This blog has received no word lately of any signature gathering activity. Three weeks ago, CUSD parents said signature gathering was taking place in the classrooms. As they visited schools, teachers or other school employees were asking them to sign recall petitions. How does this practice fit in with the district’s policy that no politicking shall take place on school property? Police have been called by school personnel when activists have tried to distribute campaign flyers at school events.