City Election Update

Larry Gilbert posted an entertaining article about blight in Mission Viejo – the eyesore of campaign signs. Read it on http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2010/10/blight-in-mission-viejo-thanks-to-dave-l-rick-s

Candidate Richard Sandzimier has taken to nailing three of his signs onto one stake, which Gilbert calls a “high rise.” Dave Leckness is following suit by stacking two of his monstrous signs on a stake. After being criticized for nailing his signs to trees, Leckness is lately using only stakes. Sandzimier, however, stuck one of his signs in a tree owned by the Mission Viejo Environmental Association, the city’s largest homeowner association.

A member of the homeowners association reported that MVEA landscapers had to be called to remove the illegally placed sign, which was 20 feet off the ground.

Sandzimier was also involved in a dustup on the night of Oct. 8 when the same resident confronted him about his signs. Both Sandzimier and the resident called the police at approximately 10 p.m. on Friday evening. The incident took place on Marguerite Parkway and was listed as a disturbance on the police blotter, http://ws.ocsd.org/Blotter/BlotterSearch.aspx , Case No. 10-189031. Others who have had run-ins with Sandzimier say he has an aggressive personality and a short fuse.

More than signs and mailers, candidates’ behavior is in the spotlight for several months prior to an election. Voters should beware of candidates who become confrontational, lose their temper, vandalize property or make fraudulent claims about their accomplishments. No sensible employer would hire such an applicant.

Last week, ex-councilman Lance MacLean appeared at a Casta del Sol meeting for candidates and the Cox forum. Those present said he was civil.

Some candidates might be relieved upon hearing about MacLean’s campaign finance report (Form 460). He has only $300 in his treasury, and he’s carrying a large campaign debt. Without special interest or vendor money, MacLean thus far has no signs, mailers or other means to promote himself. He also has no money for a hit piece, like the one he sent in 2006 against other candidates.

Three candidates attended their first Back-To-School events last week. Leckness, Sandzimier and Kelley showed up at various elementary schools without an entourage of supporters except Leckness and Sanzimier’s family members..

Challengers continue to report that the city is “sweeping” signs from public and private property on a daily basis. On the corners where signs aren’t taken down, the sight of 50 signs crowded into one spot causes drivers to laugh out loud.