The Buzz

Friends of Chuck DeVore were disappointed to receive his email last week announcing he is dropping out as a candidate for OC supervisor and moving to Texas. His departure leaves Todd Spitzer without an opponent in the election to replace Supv. Bill Campbell, who terms out of office in 2012. DeVore indicated in his message that a new candidate will emerge for the Third District seat on the OC Board of Supervisors. Mission Viejo is in the Fifth District.

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Why is anyone referring to Dave Leckness’ campout on Oso Trail as a City Hall activity? Camping out has nothing to do with city government or any rational interpretation of its function. Staying overnight in a city park is illegal in Mission Viejo, and the law should apply to everyone.

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City employee Keith Rattay’s contract is on the council agenda again for Oct. 17. Here’s the issue. City staff members shouldn’t have contracts unless they report directly to the council, and City Manager Dennis Wilberg should explain why Rattay needs an exception. The supposed excuse is to give Rattay cover because he’s the object of public criticism. However, Rattay brought on the criticism by such acts as being caught in lies.

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Here’s an assessment of Rattay’s problems following his lies about Easelgate, “The most charitable explanation for these facts is that Keith Rattay has a disability which prevents him from understanding the value of a dollar or he is a compulsive liar.” http://www.missionviejoca.org/News/2008_Q3/2008_07_26/article3/article3.html

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Residents who attended the Oct. 10 Planning Commission meeting reported on the removal of Commissioner Bob Bruchmann as chairman. An attendee said, “Bruchmann first got into it with others and waged an attack against council members. When he saw he was going to be demoted by his fellow commissioners, he walked off the dais, left the building and didn’t come back. He displayed his childish behavior when he didn’t get his way. The reaction of residents to his departure ranges from relief to joy that the commission might permanently be rid of this belligerent bully.”

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City Hall is arranging to bring a farmers market to town. This isn’t the first attempt, and the three principles of real estate (location, location, location) elude city administrators. Years ago, a farmers market set up in the retail center at Marguerite Parkway and Vista del Lago. The canopies and booths were well hidden from traffic on Marguerite as well as Vista del Lago, and the endeavor failed. City Hall will now place the farmers market in the parking lot near the library – well hidden and possibly the oddest place in town for a marketplace. Friends of the Library complained about Santa’s Workshop interfering with library operation, and the problem repeats (despite the library opening at 1 p.m. on Fridays, the same time the farmers market shuts down). While residents would like a farmers market in Mission Viejo, City Hall has a poor record of arranging much of anything except spending Other People’s Money.

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Aliso Viejo Republican Women Federated will host Warren Duffy as guest speaker for its next meeting. Duffy hosted a talk show on KKLA, “Duffy & Company – Live from L.A.” – for a decade. Duffy was at the first Earth Day in 1970 and has since observed a 40-year hijacking by global activists and alarmists in the environmental movement. Duffy, a longtime respected radio broadcaster, is known for getting to the heart of the matter. AVRWF will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 27, at the Aliso Viejo Conference Center. RSVP to Cathy Miller, (949) 859-2818 or Janine Heft, (949) 735-0718.

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Atlas PAC presents “Halloween Karaoke” on Sat., Oct. 22, 7:00 p.m., with host Matthew Harper. Attendees are invited to come dressed in their most magnificent costumes, sing their favorite tunes and win awards for best costumes and musical performances. Dinner and beverages are included in the ticket price of $25 for members and $30 for non-members. No charge for those under 18 years of age. The event is the home of Rick Roshan, 27 Half Moon Bay Drive, Newport Beach. RSVP to rsvp@atlaspac.org or call (714) 425-1064.

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“LONG LIVE AMERICA is the San Diego and Orange County Tea Party show on KCEO AM 1000 from 8-10 PM PST. Listen live at www.longliveamerica.com or tune to AM 1000 in SD and OC. Call in at (760) 931-1604 to be part of the show. Call us with any Tea Party updates. God Bless.” Robert Homesley, www.longliveamerica.com