January Common Sense

The January edition of Community Common Sense will be delivered to 20,000 Mission Viejo homes this week. CCS was founded in San Juan Capistrano in 2009 as a non-partisan community watchdog publication. It expanded into Mission Viejo several months ago. The latest edition is available online, http://www.ccsense.com/

In the current edition, four Mission Viejo residents have articles about issues in their city.

On the front page, “Art Program” Deserves Closer Scrutiny,” by Don Wilder

I have been a resident of Mission Viejo since 1970 and have lived in the same house since then except for a several year hiatus that ended when I returned last February.

Among some of the changes I have seen on my return are kiosks, sculptures and public “art” at several places around town. While appreciation of “art” is very subjective, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, this beholder sees little beauty and has little appreciation for much of what has been installed in our city and passed off as “art.” Read more: http://www.ccsense.com/2014/01/mission-viejo_3750.html#more

On page 7, “The Voting Record of Frank Ury” shows his support for such things as dismantling the city’s Affordable Housing plan in favor of an ad hoc committee. This action led to the state filing a lawsuit against the city, costing Mission Viejo taxpayers $1 million. Read more: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSZVRcGgbzY/Us8KEmqE68I/AAAAAAAACcM/ixxcqLzhhDg/s1600/Voting+R ecord+of+Frank+Ury+web.jpg

On page 8, “Resident Activists Serve Vital Purpose,” by Larry Gilbert

In my opinion, voters in every city can and should hold local governments accountable. The following illustrates why this is so important. Read more: http://www.ccsense.com/2014/01/mission-viejo_10.html#more

On page 9, “The Not-So-Free Freeways – Part 2,” by Ed Sachs

Compliments are in order for the eleven members of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) who listened to both the corridor cities and voters of Orange County, and elected not to bring toll lanes to the 405 freeway, but rather to add one “free” lane in both directions to the 405 between Costa Mesa and Seal Beach. Read more: http://www.ccsense.com/2014/01/mission-viejo.html#more