The Buzz

Leaking water pipes have reached epidemic levels in Mission Viejo and other South County cities. Pinhole leaks are occurring in relatively new as well as older homes, with independent studies pointing to corrosive properties of the water. On Mar. 3, a Ladera Ranch resident spoke about the problem during the public comments segment of the Mission Viejo City Council meeting. He recommends participating in his survey, and he has formed S.T.O.P.P. the Leaks, http://stopptheleaks.org/ . Other homeowners, builders and condo associations have moved beyond the survey stage, and they’re suing water districts.

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Is the Mission Viejo council majority through discussing the wheelchair tennis tournament fiasco? After the event bombed in November 2013, the council majority of Frank Ury, Trish Kelley, Rhonda Reardon and Dave Leckness approved the city hosting another one in November 2014. The real story involves gullible and incompetent city administrators giving taxpayer funds and staff services to an international for-profit organization. City announcements stated that Mission Viejo “won” the bid to host the 2013 event. There were no other offers. Apparently, no other city on the planet has an administration with such easy access to taxpayer funds and no accountability. Mission Viejo taxpayers were fleeced, and the council majority is still talking about the “tremendous community support” with empty grandstands. For several months, Councilwoman Cathy Schlicht has asked questions and attempted to get her council peers to approve an audit or investigation.

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Mission Viejo residents who have reviewed the tournament documents indicate the city staff mismanaged the event and misrepresented results to the public. The total cost reached approximately a quarter-million dollars, which doesn’t include staff time. In 2013 during the July 1 and July 22 council meetings, City Manager Dennis Wilberg stated the tournament wouldn’t cost taxpayers anything. City hall proved beyond all doubt that it should not be in the business of creating, managing or hosting events.

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Post from Tea Party Patriot Kelly Hubbard: “How low can he go? Obama drops to 38 percent approval rating. Typically, a president's numbers roughly correspond to the generic congressional ballot numbers of that president's party. In other words, if Obama's numbers are suffering, we can expect the numbers of the average Democrat candidate to suffer. His low approval ratings will likely negatively affect the Democrats’ chances in all races this year: for Senate, House, Governor, etc. A president's low job-approval numbers cast a negative shadow on the entire ballot in an election year. If you remember, Nancy Pelosi's House takeover in 2006 was almost directly related to Bush's poor approval numbers, which were hovering in the low 30s at the time. Obama is currently slightly above Bush's same numbers in 2006. You may recall, 2006 was a wipeout election for Republicans. It's entirely possible, if not probable, that Harry Reid will lose control of the Senate and the GOP will increase its majority status in the House this November. It may also have a lasting effect on 2016 as well. I think we can use some good news for a change and this certainly is good news. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/05/fox-news-poll-obama-approval-hits-new-low-falls-in-key-areas/

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Post from Mission Viejo watchdog Larry Gilbert: 

“Pat Bates, our present County Board of Supervisors representative, is termed out of that office. I am actively supporting Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming, a solid fiscal and social conservative, to replace her in that position. Robert received his B.A. in political science at Azusa Pacific and graduated as valedictorian from Pepperdine Law School. In addition to meeting his wife and children, I have also met his parents. Robert is a solid man of faith who is active in Coast Hills Community Church. Thanks for your consideration of Robert Ming for BOS.

“Note: if you have recently moved, you must register to vote by May 19 to participate in the June 3 Primary Election. This election is closer than we might think. Absentee ballots will be sent out in May. For additional voter information or to determine your voting status, call (714) 567-7594.”