Council Campaign Comment

Mission Viejo activist Larry Gilbert’s report on city council campaigns was forwarded to this blog on Aug. 1.

It's a new day and a new month. Today I am monitoring campaign contributions. As local campaigns are heating up, one area that I monitor is who is funding these candidates. All incumbents and their challengers were required to file Form 460 disclosure documents to the city clerk by 5 p.m. July 31st. These mid-year 460 Reports include all financial activities for the period from 1-1-12 thru 6-30-12.

As I begin reviewing these reports in the city of Mission Viejo, one contributor jumps off the page. Specifically, Sentinel Development, owners of the Kaleidoscope project, where they are applying pressure at our city council meetings to add electronic billboards on that huge complex located at Crown Valley and the freeway.

Folks, they are requesting a major deviation from our sign ordinance to add 60-foot x 20-foot, flashing electronic signs on all sides of the project.

If you read pages 6 and 9 of mayor Frank Ury's 460, you will find a $1500 cash donation and a second contribution of $600 for food for a fundraiser in that complex by the same Sentinel group.

The owners want these billboards to add offsite advertising, which to me could include Vegas casinos, Victoria’s Secret and other major merchants.

Both the cities of Laguna Niguel and Laguna Hills have submitted letters in opposition to this request. In my conversation with Kathryn McCullough, mayor of Lake Forest, she also expressed the same opposition.

Sensing strong voter opposition, the city may get cute and delay their decision until after the election. We can't take the risk. With five council members, every one of their votes are vital. For that reason, based on his accepting donations from this "special interest," I would urge you to reject Frank Ury in your November 6th vote. And while we are discussing Mission Viejo candidates, challenger Wendy Bucknum was also the recipient of a fundraiser held inside the same Kaleidoscope complex. I know it’s early, but we should each engage in due diligence before voting at any level of the political spectrum. If you oppose huge digital electronic signs converting this bedroom community into a Vegas strip, I would urge a NO vote on both Frank Ury and Wendy Bucknum.