Wendy Bucknum Update
Part 8: Campaigning on the Company Time

Weekly updates in this series examine the campaign of professional housing lobbyist Wendy Bucknum, She has announced her candidacy for the Mission Viejo City Council in the November election.

From a watchdog publication, http://watchdogwire.com/montana/2014/03/21/montana-tax-dollars-to-lobbyists/

“Lobbyists: the only political players arguably held in as low regard as the United States Congress.”

While some lobbyists influence politicians to do something beneficial, Bucknum’s lobbying for the housing industry won’t help Mission Viejo residents. If she were on the council, the Casta del Sol Golf Course and the Unisys property on Jeronimo would be at greater risk for housing development. As other negatives, City Manager Dennis Wilberg and Bucknum’s employer want her on the council.

On Mar. 18, a photo of Bucknum was in the OC Register. The caption indicated Bucknum was the third-place “winner” in the city-sponsored chili cook-off. But were there more than three contestants? Bucknum was also the third-place “winner” in the 2012 council race for two seats. Several days prior to the Mar. 15 cook-off, an OC Register’s announcement stated, “More cooks are needed.” With few people in the contest, why not feature the first-place winner in the paper?

Bucknum’s photo was an example of City Manager Dennis Wilberg’s influence in city politics. Wilberg’s other favorite candidate is Councilman Dave Leckness, who is up for reelection in November. Leckness is frequently in the OC Register or Saddleback Valley News for no apparent reason. Several years ago, this blog published emails that Wilberg sent to OCR and SVN administrators. He objected to any negative coverage of city hall, and he told the newspapers which residents should be interviewed for opinions and feedback. Letters to the editor about city issues abruptly ended. Instead of newswriting, both papers publish press releases written by city employees.

Wilberg prefers such council members as Leckness who don’t ask questions. Bucknum is on a city commission where she goes along with everything staff members suggest. She criticizes fellow Commissioner Steve Magdziak for asking questions or providing input that contradicts staff reports.

Many community events where Bucknum is prominently featured take place during her workday as a lobbyist. She made public comments during the Mar. 3 council meeting, describing her participation in a Character Committee program at Los Alisos Middle School. Everyone should ask why a housing lobbyist is participating in a school program. Another question is whether or not her employer is financing her campaign since she’s campaigning on company time.

For other updates on Bucknum’s campaign, go to https://www.facebook.com/missionviejocommonsense