SRA Meets Jan. 19
by Don Covel

Please join us at our “third Thursday" Saddleback Republican Assembly meeting on Thurs., Jan. 19, 7:00 p.m. The meeting is free of charge, open to the public, and it features outstanding guest speakers.

This month our guest speaker will be Dave Everett, executive director of the Orange County Republican Party, speaking on "How new redistricting will affect OC and important 2012 races."

It is crucial that we come together as concerned citizens for this election year. Bring a friend or neighbor. The meeting will be held at the Norman P. Murray Center (SRA’s new 2011 location), 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo.

Miller Will Run in 31st District

On Jan. 12, Congressman Gary Miller announced he’ll run in California’s 31st Congressional District. Last year’s redistricting put both Miller and Rep. Ed Royce in the 39th District. If they were to run against each other, it would be a costly battle.

Miller is a seven-term congressman who represented the city of Mission Viejo. Redistricting put Mission Viejo into the 48th Congressional District, represented by John Campbell.

Following his decision to run in California’s 31st District, Miller sent out the following press release:

(Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) – Today, Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) announced his retirement after 17 terms in Congress. His retirement means California’s 31st District will lose 34 years of seniority. Congressman Gary Miller, a successful businessman, chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade, and California’s senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has announced his intention to seek reelection to the new 31st Congressional District.

“Jerry Lewis has been a great leader in Congress and for California,” said Miller. “His commitment to his constituents and the integrity he has shown over his career will be missed.”

Continued Miller, “California is losing a tremendous amount of influence in Washington with the recent retirements of Jerry, Wally Herger, and Elton Gallegly. There are serious challenges ahead if we are going to rein in out-of-control spending, fight President Obama’s efforts to increase taxes, and fix our economy. We are losing decades of seniority with these retirements and it will mean California’s congressional delegation has to work that much harder to protect California’s interests.”

Miller reported having over $1 million in his reelection account and has hired Revolvis Consulting to oversee his campaign.

Congressman Miller is a successful businessman with real world job-creation experience. He is the founder of G. Miller Development Company, one of the Inland Empire’s most successful builders of single-family homes and planned communities, employing thousands of Californians.

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 and non-profit groups.

JSerra Catholic High School Open House, Thurs., Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 26351 Junipero Serra Road, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 493, 9307, ext. 2, http://www.jserra.org

Jazz Monsters Concert Series, Soka Performing Arts Center, Fri., Jan. 20, featuring Christian Jacob and The Big Band Theory, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4278, http://performingarts.soka.edu

“Replace Your Lawn with Native Plants” workshops on Sat., Jan. 21 and Sat., Jan. 28, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Tree of Life Nursery, 33201 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 728-0685, http://www.californianativeplants.com

Laguna Art Museum, “UCI and the Development of Contemporary Art in Southern California, 1964-1971,” through Jan. 22, open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and first Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 307 Cliff Drive at North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971, http://lagunaartmuseum.org

“Top Dog/Under Dog,” Pulitzer Prize-winning comic drama, through Jan. 29, South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 708-5555, http://www.scr.org

Tet Festival events through Jan. 29. In progress is the Flower Festival through Jan. 21, 9200 Bolsa Ave., Westminster, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Tet Festival is Jan. 27-29, Garden Grove Park, 9301 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove, http://www.tetfestival.org/location

Mount of Olives Church, “Share – Food Collection,” first Sunday of each month. On Sun., Feb. 5, bring non-perishable food donations and place them in marked bins around campus, collecting for South County Outreach and Southwest Community Center, Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://www.info@moochurch.com

“Lonesome Traveler,” American folk music performances, through Feb. 5, Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-2787, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

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

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Engineering and Operations on Mon., Jan. 16, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Wed., Jan. 18, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Thurs., Jan. 19, 5:30 p.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, Tues., Jan. 17, 6:15 p.m. (moved to the third Tuesday due to winter recess). The board workshop on board policies will begin at 4:30 p.m., and it is open to the public, 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us

Saddleback Republican Assembly will meet Thurs., Jan. 19, 7:00 p.m., featuring guest speaker Dave Everett, executive director of the OC Republican Party, Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Jacaranda Room-B, Mission Viejo. For information call (949) 360-1717.

Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Finance Committee on Fri., Jan. 20. 7:30 a.m., and Board of Directors on Wed., Jan 25, 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com/about-us/meeting-agendas.html

Concert at the Nixon Library, Sun., Jan. 22, featuring pianist Mark Salters with soprano Woo Soon. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., and concerts begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Concerts are free and open to the public. Schedule is subject to change. Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org

South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees, Mon., Jan. 23. Meeting times unless otherwise posted: open session convenes at 5 p.m.., followed by adjournment to closed session, open session reconvenes at 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., adjournment by 9:00 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

El Toro Water District meetings: Engineering, Finance, Insurance Committee on Tues., Jan. 24, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Jan. 26, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ETWD, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com

Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tues., Jan. 24, 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 and public hearing on Quality Education Investment Act, Class Size Reduction, Waiver Request for Kinoshita Elementary School, Fiscal Years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, Wed., Jan. 25, 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

Rush Limbaugh Club of OC, Sat., Feb. 11, breakfast meeting 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Program to be announced. Casta Del Sol Golf Club, 27601 Casta Del Sol Road, Mission Viejo. RSVP to Bruce Brown, (949) 487-5288 or limbaughcluboc@aol.com. http://www.rushlimbaughcluboc.com

ACT for America, Mon., Feb. 13; the meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. Program to be announced. The meeting will be held at the Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

Nixon Library: Celebrate Presidents Day on Mon., Feb. 20. Free admission all day, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Special presentation on America’s presidents at 1:30 p.m. Free cherry pie for the first 100 guests. Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/

The Buzz

On Jan. 12, Cong. Gary Miller announced he’ll run in the 31st Congressional District instead of running in the 39th against Cong. Ed Royce. Royce responded with a press release, which included his endorsement of Miller: “It is my belief that Congressman Gary Miller is the correct choice to represent the newly-drawn 31st Congressional District in San Bernardino County.  In his race for the 31st District, Gary Miller has not only my endorsement, but my full support and backing in his upcoming election.”

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During the Capo school district meeting on Jan. 9, Barcelona Elementary parents rallied to object to Oxford Academy’s expansion on the Barcelona campus. Oxford requested raising its current maximum enrollment from 628 students to 728 for the next school year. Despite the takeover by the academy, some neighbors accepted the outcome by saying the glass is half full. The campus is populated with students and thriving rather than being in jeopardy of closing due to dwindling numbers.

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Following then-councilman Lance MacLean’s attempt to strangle a co-worker at UCI, a band of political types supported him in 2009. His supporters became known as “The Dark Side” for their bullying tactics and downright filthy language. MacLean’s foul-mouth bullies are back, promoting their new candidate for council, Wendy Bucknum.

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As of this writing, Gallup Tracking published the most recent poll for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Gallup Tracking for Jan. 9-13 found (in percentages): Romney (35), Gingrich (13), Santorum (14), Paul (13), Perry (5) and Huntsman (3). http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-1452.html . Rasmussen shows 21 percent of the nation’s voters Strongly Approving Barack Obama, and 41 percent of voters Strongly Disapproving Obama’s performance. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking _poll

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Kay Graves commented on the political impact of “Delphi meetings,” which are public input meetings where attendees are led to predetermined conclusions. She writes, “Have you wondered where these terms ‘sustainability,’ ‘smart growth’ and ‘high-density urban mixed-use development’ came from? Doesn’t it seem like about 10 years ago you’d never heard of them and now everything seems to include these concepts? Is it just a coincidence that every town, county, state and nation in the world would be changing their land-use/planning codes and government to align themselves with … what?”

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On Jan. 24, OC Supv. John Moorlach will take over the gavel as chair of the Board of Supervisors. Supv. Shawn Nelson will become the new vice chair. From Nelson’s Jan. 13 newsletter: On Tuesday [Jan. 10], the Board heard about coming trigger budget impacts to the County caused by lower-than-expected State revenues. In December, the Department of Finance estimated a revenue shortfall of $2.2 billion, prompting a mid-year reduction of approximately $980 million this month. The cuts affect education, healthcare and public safety. In the County, there are four primary programs that will be affected: the District Attorney, Probation Department, OC Public Libraries and the Social Services Agency.”

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In Wilberg’s Jan. 6 newsletter “The Week That Was,” he gives an update on the Marguerite Recreation Center renovation. The renovation project came about when the club’s members wanted one additional tennis court. Their request was used to create a project that now exceeds $4 million. Residents strongly objected when they learned the project called for 4,000 truckloads of fill dirt, particularly because of the impact on the environment and damage to streets, including Casta Drive. In his Jan. 6 newsletter, Wilberg indicates grading has been scaled back to “address soil availability,” whatever that means.

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Ron Prentice of the California Family Council provided a legislative update last week: “California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) seems to care little for the urgent circumstances of California’s true condition. In fact, it appears he delights in only a few issues - namely the advancement of gender confusion - to the detriment of the state’s families and its future.

“Case in point, Ammiano took a bill from last year, AB 266, gutted its content and resurrected it for consideration as something completely different. In doing so, AB 266 became a “two-year bill” and postponed its rightful death. … Assembly Bill 266, gutted and amended, would require that a student be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs, activities, and facilities, including athletic teams and competitions, consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records.

“Thankfully, as soon as citizens received word that the bill was scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Education Committee, the bill was pulled from the committee’s docket, and the best reports we can gather suggest AB 266 will not be rearing its ugly head again. However, remain vigilant.”