The Buzz

Comment from Mission Viejo resident Joe Holtzman: “Great – while our city streets and slopes look like ****, Keith Rattay has the Boy Scouts planting the Jeronimo Open Space Area (which is part of Rattay's favorite Pet Project, the Oso Trail). More Rattay wasting city resources!!!! This is just another example of how disconnected from reality

Keith Rattay really is. Or is it just more arrogance? See: http://missionviejolife.org/2011/07/14/john-keawekane-eagle-project/ . Subject: The city's new landscape contractor!

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Comment from Tea Party Patriot Bob Serrao: “The majority of Americans live in a blind trust of their leaders who, in turn, betray that trust every day. It will take some pain before they wake up…pain at the pump, at the grocery store, at the divorce courts, at the child detention centers, at the bread lines and rescue missions. We must inform them. Hopefully, it’s not too late.”

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How long will the original image and quality of Mission Viejo hold up under the current City Hall regime? Council majority members Trish Kelley, Frank Ury and Dave Leckness love high-density housing, overspending, a bloated city staff and deteriorating infrastructure. To justify overspending, the city staff offers bizarre projections of economic growth (former CFO Irwin Bornstein’s reaction when he saw the real numbers: I’m outta here!).

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The good news: the economy will eventually turn around. However, any recovery in the building industry will be reflected by intensive apartment construction in Mission Viejo. Wayward council majorities have already rezoned parcels for high-density housing. The Planning Commission on July 11 approved another nightmarish apartment project on east Los Alisos. The developer indicated 320 apartments will be completed by 2013.

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Measure D, Mission Viejo’s Right-To-Vote, was defeated in the June 2010 election following a campaign of lies funded with special interest money. The measure would have given voters the final say in rezoning decisions. Parcels that could have been protected with Measure D are now at risk of rezoning to high-density housing. These sites include the shopping center at La Paz and Marguerite, the Casta golf course, closed schools and those with dwindling enrollment, the Unisys property on Jeronimo, parks and open space – they’re all in play. Mission Viejo residents had a choice a year ago, which they made at the ballot box. They now have another choice if they want to continue living in a low-density neighborhood: they can move.

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At the July 11 Planning Commission meeting, approximately 75 residents witnessed the 3-2 vote of the commission, giving UDR, Inc. approval to build apartments on the former K-mart parcel. Voting in favor of the project were Commissioners Bob Bruchmann, Richard Sandzimier and Steve Spillman. Bruchmann, who chaired the meeting, was abrasive to members of the audience. He even told them not to applaud, claiming his authority came from being the chairman. Whatever authority he has to conduct planning meetings does not include violating citizens’ Freedom of Expression, provided by Article 11 of the Declaration. In the 3-2 decision, Bruchmann, Sandzimier and Spillman appeared to be the developer’s point-men on the dais. Commissioners Swan (Reardon’s appointee) and Ernisse (Schlicht’s appointee) correctly understood their function on the commission, which is to represent the residents.

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Sandzimier, Bruchmann and Spillman have real-estate development or constructon backgrounds and/or they’re still looking for work in the building industry. Sandzimier was practically giddy about UDR’s apartment project. At one point, he was flitting around the dais, distributing papers while presenting the developer’s case. Spillman is Frank Ury’s appointee, which explains a lot of things. As the newest commissioner, he doesn’t have a grasp on city business. He has privately indicated a desire to run for city council, and he does show promise as a representative of special interest – he gets that part.

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For anyone who hasn’t seen the video, "President Obama, quit lying," featuring Congressman Joe Walsh (R) IL pushing back, here’s the link: http://patriotsunion.ning.com/video/president-obama-quit-lying

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Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated will host a "Shoot 'N' Shop" event at Lake Arrowhead. The event centers on special training for women who want to learn to shoot. The fee of $30 includes the training session at Arrowhead Fish & Game Conservation Club, lunch and a shopping tour of Arrowhead Village. Save the date, July 30, starting at 10:00 a.m. at the range (carpools will begin at 8:00 a.m. from Orange County). The $30 cost also includes the range fee, trial subscription to “Gun Owners of California” and ammo. RSVP to Gayle Brantuk, (714) 747-7513.

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Also from Gayle: "You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forgot the errand." – President Woodrow Wilson