Movers and Takers

No majority member on the current city council won his or her first election by directly attacking Mission Viejo residents. In the 2002 election, Trish Kelley said she wouldn’t participate in negative campaigning.

Frank Ury’s first city campaign in 2004 centered on his promise to get powerlines buried. He ranted about the blight in north Mission Viejo, but he forgot about the lines after his victory party.

Dave Leckness postured as Mr. Nice Guy to replace Lance MacLean in the recall election of February 2010, coming up with such programs as “Wave at a Cop.” He wanted to use city resources to promote small businesses, which would include his own business.

After their election, Kelley and Ury dropped the facade of representing residents. Ury answers to such special interest as lobbyists, union bosses and developers. Kelley takes “campaign donations” from outsiders and then votes on their behalf. Both council members become vitriolic toward anyone who doesn’t agree with them. Mayor Hee-Haw Leckness follows directions of the city staff regardless of costs or negative consequences. Attack dogs surrounding Leckness regularly malign Mission Viejo citizens. The city staff has attracted its own group of noisemakers who applaud more bureaucracy, bigger handouts and restricted public participation.

Rewards for bad behavior were dispensed during the Jan. 3 council meeting. Kelley received a plaque for her year as a self-serving mayor. Various spewers of city hall’s vitriol were appointed to commissions.

The key to prevention of bad behavior is for voters to recognize it before it appears in the rearview mirror. Commissions are stepping stones to council seats. While it is no surprise when blatantly corrupt council members appoint blatantly corrupt power-seekers, it is a disappointment to see other council members make equally bad appointments.

On Jan. 3, Ury switched Peter Bastone’s appointment from the planning commission to the city’s financial advisory commission. Bastone missed enough planning commission meetings during the past year to raise the ire of those who believe attendance is meaningful. Bastone wrote an opinion piece for the OC Register in which he touts affordable housing. As CEO of Mission Hospital, he wants his employees to receive taxpayer-subsidized housing “within walking distance” of the hospital. As a planning commissioner, he would have a conflict if he voted to rezone property for the benefit of his employer. Residents who live near the hospital should be forewarned of what’s coming.

Voters should also be forewarned there will be a lot of pushing and shoving among commissioners prior to the next city election.