The Buzz

In the city council race, note the difference between the incumbent slate (Kelley and Leckness, plus newcomer Richard Sandzimier) and the challengers. While challengers are walking precincts and handing out business cards, those in power have an executive approach to campaigning. The incumbent slate is well-funded with campaign donations from city vendors, and the slate can afford an air war of slick mailers. Sandzimier’s background with the Urban Land Institute could attract developer donations, which should be a warning to residents who are concerned about more apartment compounds in the city. The ULI was the consultant recommending a mixed-use project with apartments on top of stores in the retail center at La Paz and Marguerite.

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A Sept. 22 article in the OC Register indicates the homebuilding recovery could be five years away. From the AP story, “Builders are competing with millions of foreclosures and other distressed properties, a trend that shows no signs of abating.” The silver lining in this prediction is the long wait before apartment building will take off in Mission Viejo. In addition to parcels that were rezoned for housing by the council majority in 2007, other property in danger of rezoning to high-density residential includes closed schools, the Unisys property and the area near the animal shelter.

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Several council challengers handed out flyers to parents at Back-To-School nights last week. Kelley, Leckness and Sandzimier didn’t campaign at the schools. This is a change for Kelley, who was front and center at schools during her 2002 and 2006 campaigns. Kelley bragged to others at school events that she could stand near the front door of schools because of her background in the PTA. School administrators either discourage or prohibit such close-range politicking, and they have called the police when other campaign workers didn’t move fast enough when told to leave.

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Residents might be wondering about the absence of ex-councilman Lance MacLean in the city campaign. MacLean, who paid more than $1,100 for a ballot statement in the official voter guide, is keeping a low profile. He may have been disappointed to see how quickly Kelley and Leckness replaced him with Sandzimier on their slate. Kelley was criticized for trying to defend MacLean’s record of violence during his recall. MacLean’s backers have distanced themselves, saying they really don’t support him, they just didn’t like the idea of a recall. A blog reader remarked about the relative quiet of the election, “I expect MacLean to come charging in, like Bluto in the parade in ‘Animal House.’”

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During meetings and forums with council candidates, the issues of affordable housing have come up. Residents may have forgotten how Councilman Frank Ury and then-Councilman MacLean threw away the city’s affordable housing plan, causing the state to fine the city $600,000. A lawsuit stemming from a council majority decision with regard to affordable housing also cost taxpayers approximately $1 million in legal fees. The council majority’s flip-flopping on lifetime medical benefits, a $400,000 Rose Parade float, a $200,000 electronic sign flashing “Follow us on Twitter” and the Easelgate caper are just a few on a very long list of bad examples.