Mission Viejo Buzz - 09/04/10

The Buzz

From a report by the California Fair Political Practices Commission, March 2010: “The conclusion is inescapable: A handful of special interests have a disproportionate amount of influence on California elections and public policy.” Special interests contributed $1,000,000,000 between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2009. Among the findings, the report says the Teachers Union outspends the second highest political contributor 2 to 1. The second highest spender? Another public employees union. Special interest money accounted for $660 million for state and local ballot measures and $250 million for lobbying the California State Legislature and other state government agencies.

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Mission Viejo’s Easelgate scandal of 2008 began with city hall’s attempt to make a big production of Mission Viejo’s 20th Anniversary of cityhood. City employees decided they should use the anniversary to get into the Guinness World Records with the longest photo gallery. The effort failed in more ways than anyone could count. When residents didn’t participate, city staff members put pictures of their own on pricey easels that were trashed on a hillside the day after the exhibit closed. The city staff is evidently still trying to set a world record this year: Highest Number of Streets Being Repaired Just Before a City Council Election.

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Diamond Tom, the vocalist who provided entertainment for several of Mission Viejo’s Tea Parties, underwent lung surgery six months ago. He’s performing again at restaurants and events around Orange County, including Scarantino’s in Lake Forest. His Website is www.DiamondTom.com

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ACT for America will hold a general meeting on Mon., Sept. 13, in Mission Viejo. Chapter leader Bruce Mayall invites members to bring a friend. The group meets in the Norm Murray Community Center, Sycamore B Room, 24932 Veterans Way, in Mission Viejo. The meeting room opens at 7:00 p.m., and the meeting starts promptly at 7:30, ending at 9:30. Guest speaker will be Deborah Pauley. A $5 donation will be appreciated to cover costs.

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Five separate lawsuits were heard in OC Superior Court with regard to the ongoing battle in CUSD. The two sides – conservatives versus the union sympathizers – accused each other of trying to inject false and irrelevant information into official election materials. The conservatives declared decisive victories in all five. OC Register coverage can be found at http://www.ocregister.com/news/capistrano-264476-children-first.html