Artless in Mission Viejo

Art is either going or gone as a school subject. With former art teachers looking for new careers, who will teach art?

In Mission Viejo, look no further than City Hall, which considers itself the purveyor of almost everything. That is, almost everything but the public services it is supposed to provide – managing traffic, maintaining infrastructure and responsibly using tax dollars collected for core city services.

Saddleback Valley News on July 22 published a puff-piece interview with the city’s new “librarian.” She appears very excited about rescuing the art programs of schools.

What?

Somehow, assisting library patrons in their search for information didn’t get a mention. Patrons looking for a specific book are unlikely to find it in the Mission Viejo library anyway, where the entire collection of books is minimal.

Instead of a library, the building on the southwest corner of La Paz and Marguerite has become a meeting place, a hangout for children awaiting pickup after school and a regional computer center for anyone with a city library card. Cardholders from outside the city outnumber Mission Viejo residents who are paying to maintain, equip and staff the library.

The new librarian’s title is director of library and cultural services. She mentions her degree in library and information science, but what background, training or experience qualifies her as a director of cultural services? The short answer appears to be none. So, a person without qualifications will focus on art education, saying, “I feel like the schools are really challenged by their budgets and their art programs.” Some of those former art teachers could be hired to run libraries since qualifications don’t matter.

For a moment, imagine if public schools did their job of teaching academics and the city did its job of providing city services. When top-paid city employees either don’t understand their jobs or aren’t qualified to do them, no one should be surprised with the outcome.

As other examples of the city’s confusion, a highly compensated director of traffic had a degree in sociology. She alternately insisted that the city’s traffic lights were coordinated and couldn’t be coordinated. The director of public services has a background in landscaping. Instead of street maintenance, residents get a million plants on medians. To the median weed patches, he’s added entire galleries along Crown Valley Parkway – ugly posters on structures that look like outhouses.

Residents’ reactions to the anti-art mess have been universally negative. The obvious problem is that Mission Viejo residents have an appreciation for art, which is not what they’re seeing. Even the city’s art festival puts art in the back seat. The annual event’s private-sector organizer pulled out in 2010, and the 2011 conglomeration lacked artistic merit.

The council majority long ago abandoned its role of overseeing the city staff. The city staff long ago abandoned its focus on city services. Accountability has been missing for so long that taxpayers no longer expect it.

Chronology
by Bob Serrao, www.intodaysenglish.com

Chronology of Significant Events
of the American Revolution, 1770-1785

13 Atlantic English Colonies (later States) Established – 1607 onward

England’s King George III - Reigns 1760-1820

James Otis: “Taxation without representation is tyranny.”

Boston Massacre – March 5, 1770

Boston Tea Party – December 16, 1773  

 Patrick Henry: ‘Give me liberty or give me death.’ March 23, 1775

Paul Revere’s Ride – April 18, 1775

The Battle of Bunker Hill, Charlestown, MA – June 17, 1775

Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense – January, 1776

Congress votes for Independence in Philadelphia, PA – July 2, 1776

The Declaration of Independence, Adopted, Printed & Published
 -- July 4, 1776

The U.S. Constitution, Adopted by Constitutional Convention
 – September 17, 1787

George Washington installed as First President of the United States
 – April 30, 1789

Bill of Rights (The First Ten Amendments)
 Discussed (1787)
 Introduced (1789)
 Validated (1791)

CRA Needs to Clean House

The endorsing process has become contentious within the California Republican Assembly. Two opposing sides comprise a small percentage of CRA’s members, with the vast majority watching from a distance.

CRA’s endorsements, according to accusations from both sides, have been sold. For those not involved in the alleged sales, endorsements are merely a blood sport. One of the warring groups calls itself “Restore CRA.” According to allegations, what it wants to restore is money from campaigns flowing to a few in the group’s hierarchy. The Restorers lost badly in the April 17 CRA board election, and they’re so mad they can’t stop talking about it.

In Orange County, the Restore group leader is Scott Voigts, who lost his reelection bid as a CRA vice president. Supporting Voigts is a bomb-throwing blogger, Geoff Willis. Although Willis isn’t a CRA member, he’s a co-worker of another of Voigts’ supporters, Greg Woodard. Voigts, a Lake Forest resident, is grooming Woodard for a Mission Viejo council seat. Woodard and Willis’ business have developers as clients, and both opposed Measure D, the citizens’ right-to-vote on zone changes. Willis and Woodard frequently embarrass themselves by posting misinformation on blogs, and Woodard gets caught in lies. When local CRA units hold meetings, their members find nasty flyers on windshields of their cars about the April 17 election winners.

A contentious issue is the creation of phony (“paper”) units – those that don’t have meetings or other activity to legitimize their existence. They do, however, send delegates to endorsing conventions. The purpose instantly becomes clear with the allegation that endorsements have been sold. The primary promoter of paper units in OC is Voigts.

Phony units in OC emerged when Voigts created quite a few in 2006, with the appearance he was doing it for 71st Assembly District seat candidate Neil Blais. Blais was running against Jeff Miller of Riverside County. In response to Voigts creating phony units in OC, Miller’s campaign manager was involved in creating units of about the same caliber in Riverside County, beating Voigts at his own game. Miller received CRA’s endorsement, which he probably didn’t need in an election that wasn’t even close.

Voigts started the paper-unit contest, but the losers complained about the Riverside units. Miller’s campaign manager responded, saying paper units didn’t seem out of order. And if the practice were disallowed, why was Voigts doing it without any repercussions?

When it comes to housecleaning in a literal sense, stuff that’s broken should be repaired or thrown away. In CRA, regardless of who broke the rules, the new board led by Celeste Greig is determined to stop the practice of paper units. It leaves a few folks in OC in a snit and without a well-traveled road to money and power. However, CRA’s choice is either to clean house or have its endorsement process under a cloud.

CRA July 23 Board Meeting Results
from http://www.rightondaily.com/ , Aaron Park

Many political insiders in the California GOP were watching closely today to see what was going to transpire at the CRA board meeting. There were numerous emailed attacks sent from the Capitol Resource Institute email list server accusing us of perpetrating all sorts of heinous acts before the board meeting even happened.

Recap – there were 17 units put up for expulsion and eight CRA members put up for expulsion.

Please note that an attempt was made to reach all unit Presidents with phone calls, emails and certified letters. Only two unit Presidents responded while three of the first seven individuals put up for disciplinary action responded.

The following is what actually occurred.

Alpine Heights RA – De-chartered unanimously

Camp Pendleton RA – Only two objections to unanimous consent to de-charter

San Diego RA – De-chartered unanimously

Stanton RA – De-chartered unanimously

Please note that three of these four were de-chartered with a unanimous vote suggesting that even members of the opposition to the “Contract with the CRA” supported these moves.

The Citrus, Circle City, Corona Hills, Norco, Rimpau, South Corona, Temescal Valley and West Corona RA, known as the “8 Coronas,” were de-chartered with the Charter Review Committee given direction to reorganize a new CRA unit in Corona (or maybe two units). CRA VP Bob Kowell was also placed in charge of handling chartering the new unit(s) in Corona.

This action also received unanimous approval from the board.

(Please also note that any CRA members displaced by the actions of the board will be sent a letter informing them that they can join another CRA unit or remain as a CRA member-at-large.)

The Ladera Ranch RA was placed in Jeopardy status due to the fact that the unit’s President responded to contact and asked to be allowed to join up with CRA officers to clean up any issues with the unit. Since he responded in such a manner, the Ladera Ranch RA was given a second chance and will likely become a 100-percent legitimate CRA unit.

The Mid-Empire RA was de-chartered – only three objections to unanimous consent. The main reason for this will be described below when I cover Tom Rogers in the individual actions.

The South Butte RA was the subject of about an hour of debate. Ultimately, the unit was placed in Jeopardy – largely due to the fact that the unit President responded and asked for mercy. Mercy was given.

The Yolo RA was de-chartered – only three objections to unanimous consent. No one spoke in its defense, as the evidence of fraud was overwhelming.

The Yuba RA was de-chartered – only three objections to unanimous consent. Again, no one spoke in its defense.

There was a movement away from lifetime bans for individuals due to a sentiment to show some conciliation and mercy. The board ultimately decided to follow past precedent in terms of disciplinary actions.

Only Rick Marshall attended to speak in his defense. Tom Rogers and Tim LeFever responded via e-mail. Scott Voigts spoke with several in CRA directly himself.

Paul Dillon was given a 5-year removal from CRA, with a provision to re-apply to the board at the end of the 5 years. He did not respond nor did he accept the certified letter sent to him. No one spoke out, communicated or emailed on Paul’s behalf. (Only two objections to the motion.)

Karen England was given a 10-year removal from CRA with the same re-application provision – the three attack emails sent from the Capitol Resource Institute E-mail platform (her employer) in this past week and her conversations with some about attempting to de-charter CRA from the State CRP motivated a stiffer penalty. No one spoke out, emailed or communicated on her behalf. (Only two objections to the motion.)

Tim LeFever was given a 10-year removal from CRA with the same re-application provision. Mr. LeFever emailed on his own behalf explaining his right to sue CRA and issuing what were perceived as veiled threats in his communication. (Only three objections to the motion.)

David Reade was given a 10-year removal from CRA with the same re-application provision – due largely to his role in committing fraud on a major scale inside of CRA. No one spoke out, communicated or emailed on David’s behalf. (Only two objections to the motion.)

Tom Rogers was given a 10-year removal from CRA with the same re-application provision – Mr. Rogers emailed on behalf of both Mid-Empire RA and himself. Like LeFever, he explained his right to sue the CRA and the email was replete with communication perceived as veiled threats in his communication. (Only two objections to the motion.)

Mark Spannagel was given a 5-year removal from CRA with the same re-application provision. No one spoke out, emailed or communicated on his behalf. Like Dillon, Spannagel also refused the certified letter sent to him. (Only two objections to the motion.)

Scott Voigts went on a major personal PR campaign. He disavowed any involvement in the first amended complaint against CRA. (This was the key point for his defense.) Unlike Tom Rogers and Tim LeFever who extended their middle finger to the CRA, Scott Voigts extended a hand of peace. Voigts was suspended, not terminated, from CRA for one year. (Update – there were several motions leading up to the 27-8 vote in favor of this action)

The Rick Marshall expulsion request was rejected by a 24-8 vote as the proceedings there turned into an extension of the personal issues between Marshall and John Stammerich, the complainant.

Of further note – a new CRA unit was chartered, the Santa Clarita Valley Republican Assembly.

As of the writing of this email, plans are in the works for several new CRA units. Please look for updates on the movement to rebuild the CRA with new activist-driven units.

The bottom line is where Mercy was possible, Mercy was given.

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise.

Carden Academy, K-8, enrollment July 25 and ongoing for the fall term beginning Sept. 7, call for information and a tour of the school, 24741 Chrisanta Dr., Mission Viejo, (949) 458-1776, http://www.cardenacademy.com

Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club and O’Neill’s Bar and Grill weekly schedule, Mon. – Kids Eat for Free; Tues. – Pizza & Vino; Thurs. – Concert Under the Stars; Fri. – Live Jazz; Sat. – Blues & Motown; Sun – Champagne Brunch. 26772 Avery Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 305-5100, http://arroyotrabuco.com/calendar.aspx

Arroyo Trabuco Firestone Four Under Golf Tournament, July 30. Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, 26772 Avery Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 305-5100. http://fourundergolf.com/arroyo-trabuco-july-30th

Family Fun Day, Lake Mission Viejo, Sat., July 30, noon to 4:00 p.m. Open only to Lake Association members and their guests. Surf simulator, kayak races, bubble rollers, games and food, (949) 770-1313, http://www.lakemissionviejo.org

“Chocolate: The Event,” Southern California’s Premier Chocolate, Coffee, Wine and Music Festival, Sat., July 30, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, http://www.chocolatetheevent.com

Saddleback Civic Light Opera presents “Oklahoma!” through July 31, McKinney Theatre, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 582-4656, http://www.saddleback.edu/arts

Shakespeare Festival performances, through July 31, in San Juan Capistrano, “Shakespeare, Inc.” on the Playhouse Main Stage, for dates, times and tickets go to http://caminorealplayhouse.tix.com/Schedule.asp?EventCode=367073,367074,367077,367075,367076,367079 . “Taming of the Shrew” under the stars at Historic Town Center Park in San Juan Capistrano, for dates, times and ticket information go to http://caminorealplayhouse.tix.com/Schedule.asp?EventCode=367080,367081,367082,367083,367084,367085. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 489-8082, http://www.caminorealplayhouse.org/shakespeare2.php

First Thursdays Artwalk, Aug. 4. More than 40 Laguna Beach art galleries are participating in the 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. walk, with some offering refreshments. Free admission to the Laguna Art Museum, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., (949) 683-6871, http://firstthursdaysartwalk.com

“Mystic Florals,” floral arrangements class, Aug. 10, 9:00 a.m., Sherman Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, (949) 673-2261, http://slgardens.org

Exhibit, “Class Works 2011,” through Aug. 19, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Founders Hall Art Gallery, 1st Floor, Soka University, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4000, http://www.soka.edu/news_events/events/default.aspx

“I Left My Heart” salute to the music of Tony Bennett, performances through Aug. 21, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949)497-2787, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

45th Annual Sawdust Art Festival, through Aug. 28, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-3030, http://www.sawdustartfestival.org , and Art-A-Fair, through Aug. 28, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sun. – Thurs. and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-4514, http://www.art-a-fair.com

Michaels, 25310 Marguerite Parkway, (949) 770-5001, schedule of art and crafts classes can be found at http://www.michaels.com/Store-Events/store-events,default,pg.html

Farmers Market, San Juan Capistrano, Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Historic Town Center Park, (949) 493-4700.

Farmers Market, Laguna Hills, Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 573-0374.

Saddleback Lanes bowling alley, events throughout the week. Saddleback Lanes has been in business since 1974; great gathering place with special discounts for groups, 25402 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-5300, http://www.saddlebacklanes.net

Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at
http://www.moviefone.com/theater/edwards-kaleidoscope-stadium-10/32/showtimes

Political and Government Events Calendar

South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., July 25, 6:00 p.m., Ronald Reagan Board of Trustees Room, Room 145, Health Sciences/District Offices Building, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 582-4999, https://www.socccd.edu

Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tues., July 26, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting, Wed., July 27, open session begins at 7:00 p.m., 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com

El Toro Water District Board Meeting, Thurs., July 28, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com

“Meet Margaret Hoover,” great-granddaughter of America’s 31st president, at the Richard Nixon Library, Thurs., July 28, 7:00 p.m. lecture and book signing, “American Individualism,” 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda (714) 364-1161, anne@nixonfoundation.org

Richard Nixon Library, Liszt Competition Winners, July 31, 2:00 p.m. No charge for admission. Doors open at 1:15 p.m. Refer to the website for updates. The Richard Nixon Foundation, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1126, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/concerts

South Orange County Republican Assembly, Thurs., Aug. 4, Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot, 26701 Verdugo Street, San Juan Capistrano. To attend the dinner before the meeting, arrive 5:30-6:15 p.m. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m., featuring guest speaker Brad Dacus, president and founder of Pacific Justice Institute. RSVP to mdcthick@cox.net   or (949) 395-1049.

Rush Limbaugh Club of Orange County, Sat., Aug. 13, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., breakfast meeting with guest speaker Brad Dacus of Pacific Justice Institute, Casta Del Sol Golf Club, 27601 Casta Del Sol Golf Club, Mission Viejo, RSVP to Joe Snyder by Aug. 10, (949) 487-5288 or limbaughcluboc@aol.com , http://www.rushlimbaughcluboc

Moulton Niguel Water District Board meeting Thurs., Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx

Atlas PAC will host a Day at the Races, Sat., Aug. 27, Del Mar Race Track, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 12:30 p.m., transportation arrangements via train to Del Mar will be available, special guest speaker. Contact rsvp@atlaspac.org

Saddleback Valley Unified School District board meeting is scheduled for Tues., Sept. 13, 6:15 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo,(949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us

The Buzz

A Palmia resident wrote Councilman Dave Leckness about her concerns regarding UDR Inc.’s proposed apartment project on east Los Alisos. This blog does not have permission to publish his response, which was shocking. Among other insulting remarks, he called her an elitist. There’s nothing elitist about homeowners wanting to protect their property and preserve their peaceful, law-abiding neighborhoods. Apartment dwellers and other renters are not a protected class, and their behavior can be described truthfully without fear of lawsuits. As one indication of behavior, renters cause the most police calls.

***

When Steadfast was attempting to develop the parcel at Los Alisos and Jeronimo, its representatives presented a rosy picture of its projects and property management. Watchdogs visited several Steadfast apartment projects, which were all rundown and poorly managed. Steadfast’s property in Tustin had a gang-style shootout at its front gates and an exceedingly high number of police calls – many from occupants of its property trying to get other occupants to obey laws. Mission Viejo residents successfully fought off Steadfast’s efforts to build apartments. In an article published by the L.A. Times, residents were called racists and elitists.

***

Happy, happy, happy. The Capo Dispatch published a story about CUSD, referring to Supt. Joe Farley as the “Mason of Capistrano Unified’s Rebuilding.” http://capistranoinsider.typepad.com/beyond_the_blackboard/2011/07/the-mason-of-capistrano-unifieds-rebuilding.html#comments . For several years, members of the teachers union packed school board meetings and created havoc until the November 2010 election. When three union-backed candidates replaced three reform-minded trustees, union members stopped disrupting meetings. Uniting with the union-backed trustees (John Alpay, Lynn Hatton and Gary Pritchard) are two trustees who ran as reform candidates, Anna Bryson and Jack Brick. When union members are happy, the mason of rebuilding shouldn’t worry about the $26-million shortfall.

***

Reminder: 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.

***

A realistic gauge of Barack Obama’s popularity is the Rasmussen Daily Presidential Tracking Poll. On July 24, the poll shows 23 percent of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of Obama’s performance and 44 percent Strongly Disapprove. From the July 24 report, a generic Republican candidate leads Obama by six points. Forget media hype. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking _poll

***

World Net Daily has been updating a topic the White House has kept out of the news: Where’s the Birth Certificate? http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=324153 . Jerome Corsi’s well-researched and documented book builds a case for rejecting Barack Obama’s “long form birth certificate,” released to the public on April 27, as a poorly manufactured fraud.