Trish Kelley, Caught in a Lie

On Aug. 31, the Orange County Republican Party rejected Councilwoman Trish Kelley’s request for its endorsement of her council candidacy. Among Mission Viejo residents attending the endorsement committee’s meeting was Larry Gilbert, who spoke in opposition to Kelley and then wrote about it on OrangeJuiceBlog.com.

From Gilbert’s post, “What surprised me is when she lied to the committee about her support of Democrat [Councilman Dave] Leckness. Trish said there were only two candidates in the (recall) election and whereas she had issues with one she decided to support Dave Leckness.

“The only problem, as pointed out by [endorsing committee] member Craig Alexander, is that she ignored her own Aug 23rd email endorsement of Dave Leckness in which it closes ‘I will be sending another email on behalf of Dave Leckness and Rick Sandzimier in a few days.’

“Craig started reading from it and offered to give her a copy. Trish responded that she was familiar with it and engaged in an evasive justification for her current support of Registered Democrat Leckness while seeking the GOP endorsement. Trish told the panel that Dave has been a Democrat since he was 18 and is a good colleague or words to that effect.”

Gilbert’s article can be found at http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2010/09/republican-party-of-oc-endorsement-committee-unanimously-reject-mv-mayor-trish-kelley

When Kelley gets into similar binds during city council meetings, she often turns to the city attorney and asks in faltering speech, “Mr. City Attorney, what do you think about that?” On cue, City Attorney Bill Curley bails her out with diversionary nonsense, while charging taxpayers $400 an hour.”

With no one to cover for her on Aug. 31, Kelley was rejected by the GOP with a unanimous vote of the endorsement committee.

Post Identifies Players

The Capistrano Unified School District’s next election is shaping up to be a contest between those who put students first and those who are hand-picked by the teachers’ union. I thought it might be useful to introduce some of the players to you. 

The first question is going to be the recall. A group called “Children First” spearheaded the effort to get the recall of Trustees Mike Winsten and Ken Lopez Maddox on the ballot. But who is Children First? Basically, it is the inside circle of what remains of now indicted former Superintendent James Fleming. Its leadership is closely tied to union leaders in the school district (spouses, domestic partners etc.).

Their spokesperson is Chris Korpi. According to Chris’ Facebook page, he is the life partner of a CUSD school counselor. Chris denies any connection to the union. He forgot his partner is a member of the teachers’ union. But that isn’t all he forgot. The treasurer is also a member and so are several donors to the committee to include the actual teachers’ union. 

Running to replace Mike Winsten is failed San Clemente City Council candidate and recently elected member of the Republican Party Central Committee, John Alpay. Many might call Alpay a Republican In Name Only (RINO). But this isn’t really fair to solid RINOs like Able Maldonado who voted last year for the largest tax increase in California history. Alpay had a leader of the South Orange County Democratic Club introduce him at the press conference announcing his candidacy. This Democratic leader is Fran Sdao. She is also the legislative chair for the PTSA at Tesoro High School.

Running to replace Ken Lopez Maddox is college professor and failed Democratic nominee for state senate, Gary Pritchard. At least Pritchard believes in something. He last ran on a platform of same sex marriage, access to partial birth abortion (endorsed by NARAL), and higher taxes.

Another Children First candidate is Lynn Hatton. She is endorsed by State Superintendent of Schools, Jack O’Connell and the union establishment. These are the same people who chose the protection of the teachers’ union to making the reforms necessary to receive millions of dollars in federal aid under the Race To The Top Funds. Hatton has already announced her opposition to charter schools.

Now we come to Saam Alikhani. This 18-year-old recent graduate was the student advisor to the Board. Saam is also close to the South Orange County Democratic Club, lives at home and doesn’t work. Saam last ran for office on a platform of dodgeball tutorials and school dances that allow “freaking.” You can’t make this stuff up.

The teachers’ union wants to replace the Board because their pay was cut this past year. They have selected their handmaidens and plan on spending a $100,000 to get them elected. The classified employees’ event boasts their intent to elect their own bosses on their website.

Voters will have a clear choice. Either the parents will be in charge or union leaders will be in control. It can’t be both ways.

CUSD Parent

Dust Settles at CUSD
Larry Christensen, CUSD Trustee

The Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) has been too newsworthy over the past couple decades for all the wrong reasons. Controversial curriculum, misappropriation of funding, a bloated administration loyal to a now-indicted superintendent and his deputy, questionable closed-door meetings resulting in years of seven-to-zero voting by the then-trustees, the creation of “enemy lists,” election manipulation, and the exorbitant raiding of potential classroom dollars to build the “Taj Mahal” administration building were all factors that invited reform initiated at the 2006 voting box.

Though embattled from the get-go by residual staff in lockstep with the former regime, organized opposition, as well as a maze of local and state bureaucratic roadblocks designed by special interest groups, the “reform trustees” have made inroads to change the culture of CUSD and to put the focus back into the classroom. There is a strong desire to get back to teaching the basics of traditional education so that CUSD children are able to compete with the rest of the world.

Several resolutions and board policies were put forth to protect against “the sins of the past.”  Additionally, “loose ends” created by a once-dysfunctional facilities department that resulted in several lawsuits, boundary disputes, delayed projects, favorite schools to the detriment of others, and overall lack of maintenance are close to being rectified.  An unfortunate confrontation with the teacher’s union over lack of funding from the state was recently settled despite an ill-conceived and disruptive strike. The result of this nationally watched issue, all along championed by the reform trustees, was that teachers kept their jobs and classroom sizes were not increased for the 2010-2011 school year.

During this unsettled chaos, the district suffered through three interim superintendents as well as two appointed superintendents (one recently fired).  It is here that the dust appears to have settled. The recent hiring of Dr. Joseph Farley, a proven no-nonsense “education first” superintendent from Anaheim, has in just two months proven to be effective. Dr. Farley has demonstrated an astute ability to quickly assess individuals and situations.  Prospects for a smooth-running school district look promising.

Perhaps the winds of time have settled at CUSD and clear skies are on the horizon. It is the desire and hope that the future newsworthiness of CUSD will be limited to its academic achievements that are, as a result of the recent standardized testing, at an all time high.

Union email Connects the Dots

The teachers union (Capistrano Unified Education Association) says it isn’t associated with the effort to recall two CUSD trustees, Mike Winsten and Ken Lopez-Maddox. Following is an email CUEA distributed on February 11, soliciting help in the petition drive to remove the trustees.

From: "no-replies@cuea.org" <no-replies@cuea.org>
Subject: Recall Petition Trainings

Recall Petition Training

Interested in gathering signatures for the recall of Trustee Winsten and Lopez-Maddox? Attend an Orientation Meeting at the Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo. Two opportunities currently available: Tonight, Thursday, Feb. 11, 6-8 pm or tomorrow afternoon, Friday, Feb. 12, 4-6 pm.

Please do not respond to this email as responses are not monitored. This message was sent by: Capistrano Unified Education Association, 27422 Aliso Creek Road, Suite 100, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.

Historical Perspective
Voters United, Guest Editorial

Below is an article that reviews how our great country came to be, how it has evolved, and how we can shift it back to the way the country was started.

You only have to read brief articles like this one, published this last 4th of July, to refresh your memory as to what is important. We're not selling anything but our future.

From the Orange County Register, by George Bryjak: How we got our Declaration:

On June 7, 1776, Richard Lee of Virginia read his resolution to members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in the Pennsylvania State House (which would be renamed Independence Hall). Lee stated: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

Consideration of the Lee Resolution was postponed by a vote of seven colonies to five, with the New York delegation abstaining. Congress then recessed for three weeks with the spirit of the debate indicating that the Lee Resolution would be adopted. Prior to its recess the Congress appointed a Committee of Five to draft a statement making a case for colonial independence. The committee consisted of two New Englanders, John Adams of Massachusetts and Roger Sherman of Rhode Island; two representatives of the "Middle Colonies," Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York; and one Southerner, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.

In his award-winning book, "American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson," historian Joseph Ellis places the creation of the Declaration of Independence in a sociohistorical context. Ellis also sheds light on the evolution of this doctrine from the vantage point of its principle architect, Thomas Jefferson.

The committee convenes
The Committee of Five convened shortly after its appointment and delegated drafting of the document to Adams and Jefferson. Adams turned over to Jefferson the principle authorship to what would become the most sacred pronouncement in American history. Ellis raises the intriguing question of why John Adams, a man of immense political talent (and a very healthy ego), did not write what would become the Declaration of Independence himself, or at the least, substantially contribute his views to the document.

To read the rest of the article, go to http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/-256168--.html

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