Council Majority Prefers Self-enrichment

During the June 21 meeting, Council Members Trish Kelley, Frank Ury and Dave Leckness voted to keep lifetime healthcare benefits for those who serve three terms (12 years) on the council. Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht agendized the item, and she and Councilman John Paul Ledesma voted in the minority to eliminate the benefit. The value to those who receive such taxpayer-funded healthcare has been estimated from $170,000 to $250,000 per council member.

During discussion of the agenda item, Leckness in his comments seemed to indicate he would vote to end the taxpayer-funded insurance. He made reference to his own printing business, saying he wouldn’t extend such a policy to his employees. He then voted with Kelley and Ury in the 3-2 decision to continue the benefits.

Days later, Kelley and Ury turned in letters to the city, revoking their right to the benefit. Ex-councilman Lance MacLean signed a similar letter days before he was recalled by voters on Feb. 2. Such obvious political maneuvers can be reversed at any time because the healthcare policy remains in place. As Brad Morton points out on Mission Viejo Dispatch, http://missionviejodispatch.com/?p=16968 legal grounds exist for council members to reinstate their benefits.

From the Dispatch: “The question is why Ury and Kelley don’t simply repeal the policy instead of executing individual revocations. … Leckness has until noon Monday to agendize a Motion for Reconsideration for the July 6 meeting.”

Blog writer Larry Gilbert offered another view of self-enrichment in his June 26 Orange Juice post, revealing how Kelley has been socking away an additional $825 per month for herself after proclaiming that she is covered by her husband’s health insurance policy. Read his article: http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2010/06/mayor-kelley-lines-her-retirement-fund-on-the-back-of-mv-taxpayers

Gilbert’s post also points to a discrepancy about the cost to taxpayers for a council member’s city-provided lifetime medical coverage. When MacLean “revoked” the benefit, its value was estimated at $250,000. In media coverage (Orange County Register representative Niyaz Pirani) last week, the cost was reported at $38,000 for Kelley (age 59) and $40,000 for Ury (age 46).

Pirani, who has been accused by OCR readers of putting his name on press releases penned by city staff members, is rightfully challenged by Gilbert on the discrepancy between the projected values.