City Election Update

The incumbent slate (Council Members Trish Kelley and Dave Leckness and challenger Richard Sandzimier) cannot campaign on issues because their pro-developer, big-spending ways clash with residents’ beliefs. Kelley and Leckness can’t run on their voting record because it shows they’re out of touch. They’ve insulted residents, cast self-serving votes, and Kelley lied in her ballot statement. She will likely be sued for libel and slander for her comments regarding a conflict between Sandzimier and Joe Holtzman over the placement of Sandzimier’s signs.

The 2010 city campaign theme has become “No Incumbents.” Almost anyone would be better than Kelley, Leckness and Sandzimier. The greatest obstacle in defeating all three is the stampede of challengers who will split the vote.

Kelley usually says little during council meetings. She’s inarticulate and incapable of grasping financial matters. Her inaugural campaign in 2002 introduced her as a fresh face – someone who would end the personal clashes on the dais. After her election, she began cat-fighting with then-Councilwoman Gail Reavis – not about city issues but over who would be mayor. Kelley’s egregiously nasty emails during the past month have revealed her vindictive nature, which she usually hides by having third parties attack her enemies. Her noteworthy council achievements include bestowing lifetime medical benefits for council members who serve three terms on the council and doubling the council stipend at a time when her constituents were losing their jobs.

Leckness, a proud graduate of Clown College, adds amusement to the city’s business meetings with off-the-wall remarks. He said he would vote in the same manner that Lance MacLean voted prior to his Feb. 2 recall, and he has. Maybe he didn’t understand that residents removed MacLean because they didn’t like the way he voted. Leckness defined himself as a politician when he supported lifetime medical benefits for council members. Other aspects of his self-serving nature are his constant references to his copy shop business during council meetings.

As the election has grown closer, Sandzimier has lost momentum. Privately, he’s complaining about the negative aspects of campaigning, and he says he’s exhausted. Evidently, he thought his arrogant attitude shouldn’t be a campaign issue. Information came out on MissionViejoDispatch.com that he “forgot” to mention during a forum that his employer is Parsons-Brinckerhoff. His ties to developers, lobbyists and homebuilders are obvious.

Kelley, Leckness and Sandzimier have professional campaign consultants and the financial backing of special interest groups. Last week, the three each reported (Form 497 Contribution Report) donations of $1,000 from the South Coast Apartment Association, Sacramento. Are voters interested in locations of future apartments in Mission Viejo? Likely targets are the Casta del Sol Golf Course, the Unisys property on Jeronimo, the retail center at La Paz and Marguerite, two sites on east Los Alisos near Palmia and closed school campuses.

If even two of the three incumbent slate candidates are elected on Nov. 2, they’ll become the majority with Councilman Frank Ury, who has a voting record of rezoning property to high-density housing. In 2005, Ury, ex-councilman Lance MacLean and Trish Kelley voted to oust the city’s best-ever planning commissioners who had defended the Master Plan and rejected apartment proposals. Ury, MacLean and Kelley paved the way to rezoning properties for affordable housing after Ury and MacLean (as the ad hoc affordable housing committee) threw out the city’s affordable housing plan. A lawsuit stemming from the council majority’s buffoonery cost city taxpayers more than $1 million. MacLean bragged during the campaign to recall him that no housing has been built lately. However, when the housing market recovers, the character of several neighborhoods will change dramatically because zone changes have already taken place.

To protect the city’s Master Plan as well as taxpayers’ wallets, voters should reject Kelley, Leckness and Sandzimier on November 2. Responsible adults who are actively campaigning include Neil Lonsinger, Rhonda Reardon, Bill Barker, Ken Golemo and Fred Carr. Mark Dobrilovic could be a strong, reform-minded replacement if he were actively campaigning. Sam Mamola has his name on the ballot, but he’s not in the race. To the relief of many, Lance MacLean has practically dropped out of sight.

Prop 19 is a Bad Idea
Letter to the Editor

I'm afraid that a "Yes" Vote on Prop. 19 could be a Vote for the Law of Unintended Consequences:

(1) Putting marijuana under government control could well encourage the drug cartels to push harder with more harmful drugs like heroin and cocaine, etc. The cartels could become even more powerful! 

(2) The taxes on marijuana could simply be feeding California's insatiable, bankrupt and monstrous government, always searching for more money and power. For libertarians, a vote for Prop. 19 may not be a vote for liberty in the end!

(3) The tacit endorsement of marijuana may well impair our work force and make California even less attractive to business than it already is. California's economy could suffer even more!

(4) The consequences to young people, their families, our schools and colleges and our public health system could be devastating!

(5) Automobile accidents could well increase. We could be voting for our own injury or death and that of our loved ones. The cost (medical, personal, societal, etc.) could well exceed any benefits we might derive from Prop. 19. Let's have our government, like Japan, do what it is supposed to do: Close the borders! Enforce the law! 

Don't be sidetracked.  Vote "No" on Prop. 19.

Paula Steinhauer
Mission Viejo

Hit Piece Defines Incumbents
Guest editorial

We thought we had prepared and distributed all the messages we planned for this coming election in an effort to keep Mission Viejo strong and vital for its citizens. Well, we were wrong! When we received the election mailer from the so-called "Citizens to Protect Mission Viejo," we were flabbergasted. They accused those running against the incumbents as extremists. As a matter of fact, they used Measure D as the justification to name us extremists. They claimed that we advocated:

• Closing the Mission Viejo library
• Pulling sheriff's deputies off our streets
• Slashing funds for parks and recreation

The absurd thing about this is Measure D was formulated to stop the incumbents and their supporters from doing what was listed above. In fact, during these terrible economic times, they have already started chipping away at those budgets because our revenues are down and are expected to go down even further.

While the "let's-spend-more-money incumbents" are doing this and accusing others as potentially doing what they are already doing, they are, for example, going to add one tennis court to the existing seven courts at the Marguerite Tennis Center at the cost of $3.7 Million. When asked to justify why they consider this "desperately needed," they have been unable to come up with an answer. It is embarrassing to mention this project to others when all around us we are cutting back to try and save what we have for the future.

This so-called group sending the mailer needs to come up with facts rather than listening to hearsay and making up accusations that fly in the face of reality. Yes, this group loves to spend money on things that make them feel comfortable while not being necessary. Yet they easily accuse others of wasting money on Measure D and a recall when they want to waste much more than that on the $3.7-million tennis court. Doesn't make sense, does it? They haven't noticed that the more they waste, the more our knowledgeable citizens (Extremists????) will be after them to stop and undo reckless spending. Ask yourselves, which Mission Viejo City Council members voted to pay the $3.7-million for the additional tennis court? Then ask yourself, which Mission Viejo City Council members have an agenda to flush taxpayers’ dollars down the toilet?

We are highlighting the key truthful points that need to be addressed. We do not push hearsay; we push facts. Facts are the bedrock of our existence, and we intend to keep it that way.

Please pass this on before the election passes us.

Thank you,
Voters United

Parents Advocate League Update
by Julie Collier

Dear PALs,

I hope your school year has started off well.

I wanted to let you know about a unique opportunity for CUSD students. Oxford Preparatory Academy Chino Charter School is looking to start a K-8 school called Oxford Preparatory Academy South Orange County next fall in CUSD. Even though CUSD has great schools and teachers, some of you may be interested in a different choice for your children.

As you may know, charter schools are public schools and there is no tuition. Due to the fact that charter schools are public schools, students may not be turned away based on academic need, race, socioeconomic level, religion, disabilities, etc., (just like any other public school). They usually function under a school district, but they have a different approach to student learning. The daily per-student, state-funded rate follows the student to the charter school, not the district.

In the case of Oxford Preparatory Academy South Orange County (OPASOC), they plan to buy back services from CUSD, most notably being special needs. Teachers will be trained to teach students using the Multiple Intelligences approach, which is designed around the belief and assumption that all children are gifted, and they learn in a wide range of ways. The Oxford Prep curriculum is focused on college prep, offering foreign languages, performing arts, sports, music, ASB, and school newspaper, just to name some of the programs being offered.

If you are interested in finding out more about OPA, please visit their website created by Wix.com at www.oxfordchampions.com

If you are interested in this opportunity for your child, please fill out the Intent to Enroll form (click here) and fax it to the number listed at the bottom of the form. You can also email your completed Intent to Enroll to opasoc@gmail.com . [Deadline was extended to Oct. 30; suggest emailing first to ask if applications are still being accepted.]

So far, OPA has hundreds of students all over CUSD signed up. They even have several students from other districts interested as well. CUSD students will get first priority if it opens in CUSD. Please note, sending the Intent to Enroll is not a guarantee of enrollment to the school. You will get more information regarding enrollment at a later date. Likewise, signing an Intent to Enroll does not disenroll you from your current school.

If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact the OPA people via email with your questions.

All the best,
Julie Collier 
Parents Advocate League

Tea Party Patriots Voter Guide, Mission Viejo Edition
November 2 is National Pink Slip Day – Fire the Incompetents!

Governor – Meg Whitman by default – Governor Moonbeam would be worse.

Lt. Governor – Abel Maldonado by default; both leading candidates are liberals. Some   Tea Party Patriots are writing in Karen England.

Sec. of State – Damon Dunn

Controller -- Tony Strickland

Treasurer – Mimi Walters

Attorney Gen. – Steve Cooley

Ins. Comm. – Mike Villines by default – the most conservative of leading candidates.

Board of Equalization, District 3 – Michelle Steele

U.S. Senate – Carly Fiorina

Cong. Dist. 42 – Gary Miller

State Assembly Dist. 71 – Jeff Miller

Justices of the CA Supreme Court
   Tani Cantil-Sakauye – recently appointed; too soon to tell.
   Ming Chin – No.
   Carlos Moreno–No.
   Judith McConnell – no recommendation.
   Manuel Ramirez – No.
   Carol Codrington–No.
   David Sills–No.
   William Bedsworth–Yes.
   Eileen Moore–No.

Supt. of Public Instruction – Torlakson is a Democrat, and Aceves is Decline to State. Neither is conservative. Write in Diane Lenning for Supt. of Public Instruction.

South OC Comm. College Dist.:
  Kevin Muldoon, Nancy Padberg and Marcia Milchiker

Capo Trustees:
  Area 4 Anna Bryson; Area 6 Ellen Addonizio, Area 7 Larry Christensen

No on Capo USD recall of Mike Winsten;
No on Capo USD recall of Ken Lopez Maddox

Treasurer / Tax Collector – Keith Rodenhuis

Mission Viejo City Council – vote for three of these five:
No. 1 on ballot, Rhonda Reardon – strong recommendation; conservative.
No. 6 on ballot, Neil Lonsinger – Tea Party Patriot, strong recommendation
No. 12 on ballot, Mark Dobrilovic – Tea Party Patriot (not actively campaigning; he was the emcee for the April 15 Tea Parties in 2009 & 2010)
Bill Barker – Tea Party Patriot – deserves consideration
Ken Golemo – deserves consideration as a limited-government conservative

Santa Margarita Water Dist.
  Vote for Saundra Jacobs; do NOT vote for Roger Faubel.

Moulton-Niguel Water District: Division 2, vote for Ellen Addonizio.

California Propositions

Prop 19, Legalize Marijuana – No
Prop. 20, Redistricting of Congressional Districts – Yes
Prop. 21, Vehicle Registration Surcharge – No
Prop. 22, State Taking Transportation and Local Funds – No
Prop. 23, Suspension of AB 32 “Global Warming” Law – Yes
Prop. 24, Repeal of Business Tax Lowering Provisions – No
Prop 25, Simple Majority vote to pass State Budget – No
Prop. 26, Requires Two-Thirds approval for State and Local Fees – Yes
Prop. 27, Eliminates Citizen Redistricting Commission – No
H CUSD Elections Method Change – No

CUSD Update

Why would the union (CUEA-HOPE-PAC) and CUSD teachers donate $200,000 to the recall, Measure H and the union-backed candidates? Does anyone really think the largest special interest group in politics cares about our students?

Consider this quote from Albert Shanker, President of the United Federation of Teachers, 1964 to 1984, and President of the American Federation of Teachers, 1974 to 1997: 

"When school children start paying union dues, that's when I'll start representing the interests of school children."

Please read the following opinion article from Orange County Register Editorial Board member and columnist Brian Calle, endorsing the re-election of Capistrano Unified School District Trustees Ellen Addonizio, Anna Bryson and Larry Christensen. These candidates are also endorsed by the Orange County Republican Party, California Republican Assembly, Family Action PAC, Lincoln Club of Orange County, Atlas PAC, Committee to Reform CUSD and many other conservative organizations and current and former elected officials.

This latest endorsement follows the recent Editorial Board endorsements urging a No Vote on the CUSD Recall and a No Vote on Measure H (articles linked below).

“It's time to shrink union clout at Capo Unified”
by Brian Calle

Voters in the Capistrano Unified School District general election have a clear choice between the union slate, which is attempting through a two-front strategy to retake the board majority, or current trustees.

Call me cynical but whenever I see a teachers union going out of its way to beat incumbent school board members, I think something is fishy. Why? If the union is actively spending money to oust board members, it is usually a clue that board members are standing up to the union and doing the job they were hired to do: look out for taxpayers.

(For the rest of Calle’s article, go to http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/union-273365-board-school.html

Read other articles:
Editorial: Capo trustees don't deserve recall – Vote No Recall -  http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/recall-272300-board-union.html

Editorial: Unions seek to 'elect our own bosses' – Vote No on Measure H -  http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/trustee-268385-unified-elect.html

Learn more at  www.CUSDReform.com

The Buzz

Street corner rallies are effective in raising public awareness. The rallies have impact with regard to issues and not so much with getting votes for city council candidates. In the elections of 2006 and 2008, council incumbents John Paul Ledesma and Frank Ury easily won with almost no street corner presence.

***

Photos of Ury campaigning for Dave Leckness have been widely circulated. Ury, who touts his voter registration as a Republican, has endorsed Leckness, a Democrat. When Ury emailed members of the county Republican Central Committee two weeks ago, telling them which Republicans shouldn’t be endorsed, his pleas were largely disregarded. As for Ury’s ambition to run for higher office, the county GOP generally doesn’t endorse candidates who have blatantly campaigned for Democrats.

***

Councilwoman Trish Kelley mentions her Republican registration only when she’s up for reelection. Lately, she’s implying the Republican Party endorsed her. She was rejected by the OC GOP during their first endorsing committee meeting, and she didn’t apply for the California Republican Assembly endorsement. Incredibly, she’s using the official Party logo on her campaign mailers. She’s touting her endorsement by the OC Taxpayers Association, which is a one-person organization. Reed Royalty is the president / CEO / receptionist / janitor, etc., of the San Juan Capistrano-based “group” of one. He was active in promoting the El Toro Airport in the 10-year-long battle – in the face of Mission Viejo residents.

***

Who will win the Nov. 2 council race? It’s much easier to guess who won’t win. At the bottom (or near it) will be political newcomer Sam Mamola, who hasn’t campaigned. Other newcomers are Fred Carr and Ken Golemo. They’ve campaigned, but it’s difficult for newcomers to win without grassroots or a substantial cash infusion. Mark Dobrilovic hasn’t campaigned, but he did well in the June 8 race for GOP Central Committee, placing seventh for six seats. Somewhat predictable, a whole bunch of candidates will be clumped together in the middle, unable to distinguish themselves among so many contenders. Campaign finance reports indicate that Richard Sandzimier doesn’t have the financial backing to be a shoo-in, and Leckness, who comes across during council meetings as a loon, has not secured his seat as an incumbent. If Kelley wins, it will show how many voters aren’t paying attention.

***

The OC Register confirmed that the teachers union and their so-called “Children First” group have spent $350,000 since Sept. 30 to buy control of CUSD. That’s an obscene amount of money for a local school board election. The teachers union is outspending the conservative reform incumbents by a ratio of more than a 16 to 1. The OC Register found the union had formed a new Political Action Committee to hide unprecedented spending from voters and the press.